hand sew machine

[esantoro]

get a

stitching wheel

harness needles

1, 4, and 5 pronged hole punches

Granite slab

rawhide or poly maul/mallet

thread

beeswax

This is important stuff to have and together you'll have more fun and a better looking product than if you were to just use that automatic awl.

Ed

[cem]

For what you want to do I think hand saddle stitch is probably better my stuff is purely ornamental and you don't see the stitches so I don't run into the problems others have had with it. Definately get the hand sewing book it will teach you alot I was lucky in that it was included with all the leather stuff my sister gave me.

Cheers,

Clair

[Srigs]

I tried that a few times and it became a non-starter.

I switched over to a 1 and 3 rectangle punch with hammer/mallet solution that is much easier to line up and get good results with. Some people might think it is slower but for me it is not and very easy to do.

[Leather Bum]

get a

stitching wheel

harness needles

1, 4, and 5 pronged hole punches

Granite slab

rawhide or poly maul/mallet

thread

beeswax

This is important stuff to have and together you'll have more fun and a better looking product than if you were to just use that automatic awl.

Ed

You should probably also add a good cutting board (rubber or something) to punch on to protect the tips of the stitching chisels. . .

L'Bum

[276ccm]

Thanks for all good advices!! The book and some tools are ordered :-)

[BeltFanDan]

I picked up one of those tools dirt cheap and I still feel ripped off. The holes it makes are way too big compared to the size of the thread it comes with. I'm just going to hand stitch or buy a machine.

[rdb]

It is only meant for repairs, and not very good ones. It does not create a lockstitch. It's a chainstitch. Cut one side, and it all falls apart.

Spend the time, and shed a few drops of blood to learn the saddle stitch. There is nothing superior in strength and looks. Your work will look 500 times better, and your customers will appreciate it. Of course, affording it is another question, altogether.

[cem]

Yeah I've since given up on it as well after stabbing myself with it and having a few broken threads. I got fairly quick at saddle stitch but have since moved house and all my leatherwork stuff is packed up so I'll probably be a slow poke again when I get the leatherwork stuff out again.