Proper Tool For Curved Sewing Channels

[teufelszeug leatherwork]

hey everyone,

i ordered a couple of tools for making sewing channels lately, having mixed results.

the only one providing decent results is a freehand stitching groover in combination with a ruler for straight lines, but when it comes to parallel channels next to curved edges (like on sheaths) i'm about to freak out:

i got myself an adjustable stitching groover (L-shaped blade) and an adjustable creaser (using the freehand groover afterwards to get a deeper channel), both didnt impress me.

groover: the metal piece sitting against the leather edge is round, so it tends to slip over the edge and even when working it slowly and carefully not providing a good result because it simply doesnt sit against the edge properly

creaser: pretty much the same problem, simply doesnt sit properly on the leather edge because both sides of the tool are equally long... normally the side your making the impression with should be shorter

anyway, what are you using for curved sewing channels? i own a copy of "the art of handsewing leather" and there they're using a gouge compass, anyone ever tried that?

thanks for your help

Edited August 9, 2010 by teufelszeug leatherwork

[pete]

Try using dividers. They sit over the edge better and make a good line. Then you can use the freehand groover.

Also- you can use the (l shaped) groover better by adjusting it a hair width wider than the line needed and hang the rounded part over the side more. Don't have much to play with as the groover won't cut if it isn't sitting pretty vertical.

Are your edges really square and vertical? Try sanding and true-ing them up first, run the groover, and then edge and burnish.

pete

[teufelszeug leatherwork]

Try using dividers. They sit over the edge better and make a good line. Then you can use the freehand groover.

Also- you can use the (l shaped) groover better by adjusting it a hair width wider than the line needed and hang the rounded part over the side more. Don't have much to play with as the groover won't cut if it isn't sitting pretty vertical.

Are your edges really square and vertical? Try sanding and true-ing them up first, run the groover, and then edge and burnish.

pete

you were right on hanging the groover a little more over the edge, works better but there's still some room for improvement... well, maybe i'm just to critycal

my edges are absolutely straight and vertical, that actually was the first i was thinking about.

i'm still very keen to see how a divider works... ill try it when i get the chance to.

thank you pete!