To Grove Or Crease The Stitch Line...does It Matter?

[markush]

I've been using a grover to cut my stitch lines but when it come to a tight radius turn it sometimes gets ugly/choppy. I've tried a modeling tool to free hand crease a stitch line and it seems easier to to keep the tight turns looking good. I see the Tandy Pro stitching grover set has both the grover blade plus a modeling spoon that i think can be used on it's edge to crease the stitch lines. If there a disadvantage to creasing in the stitch lines as opposed to cutting them with a groover?

Here's the Tandy tool http://www.tandyleat...e/88081-00.aspx

[pabloz]

According to Bob Beard, an indentation for stitching (crease) done when the leather is wet results in a stronger stitch since the leather under the thread is compressed instead of removing a layer of the epidermis. It also make for a cleaner looking stitch line after dye, stain or antique.

PZ

[mrdabeetle]

I agree with pabloz, but if what you are grooving doesn't encounter any stress that would rip the stitching out, there's nothing wrong with using a groover. Also, if the groover is not performing well, it may just need sharpening. It doesn't take much to get a dull groover blade sharp, but it is easy to ruin the tool if you don't do it properly.