Toughest Thread For Hand Stitching

[seanafk]

Polycotton and linen have worked well for me but I notice if I don't stay on top of waxing, it tends to fuzz or unravel. Nylon is good though it apparently rots in sunlight and weather over a long time (years and years) but I have not experienced this first hand. At a certain point having thread that is tougher than your leather is a detriment as stress causes the the thread to cut through the leather (like those fancy wire cheese slicers). If you're using something tough like horsehide or pig, it probably doesn't matter but it might for calf or thinly skivved cowhide.

[johnv474]

This is an old thread (no pun intended), but in case others find it through searching, as I did.... I prefer linen thread personally for a few reasons, even if other products may be stronger. I have also used polyster and Nyltex, which I understand to be a nylon-poly mix. I also tried fishing line before. If you want to go hog wild on strength, you can buy white nylon braided masons line from the hardware store, also available in neon colors. It is rated for 175 lbs, but is very thick. It would be difficult to thread even a 000 needle. My test requirwed pliers for every stitch.... but it will probably last!

Edited August 24, 2013 by johnv474

[Crimson Hides]

I use 60 - 80 lbs braided fishing line to hand sew most of my products. I think they are pretty tough.

[Tex Shooter]

I prefer Linen, but right now I am using waxed Poly. I got a big spool of it in a garage sale for a couple of bucks. Yep, I am cheap! Wish I could get all of my supplies in garage sales! -- Tex