Stitching Awl Or Stitching Chisel

[immiketoo]

Cross posted......I was looking up links when you posted that, Jack.

Yes, that IS a good looking chisel line. No argument there. The ones I've seen and used were about 3 times that size. Since I've gone to the awl, I haven't every tried anything else....except a sewing machine.

I'll start looking around and see what is new(to me) on the market.

Incidentally, another reason I recommend the awl is that until you get up to around 3/4ths to 7/8ths of an inch, you can just go through all the layers at once. Maybe more or less, depending on the awl size. And when more than that is needed, it's pretty easy to start the hole in one side, then flip it around and 'feel' for the hole from the opposite side. It's also pretty dang quiet....except for accidental stabbings.

LOL@ accidental stabbings! I feel your pain... well my pain actually but you get the point. Pun intended.

[TwinOaks]

I usually say this in a joking manner: "Your awl should be sharp enough to get at least halfway through your finger before you feel it."

There is, however, more than a little truth to that. I altered my method for making stitching holes because I'd more than once stabbed my finger AFTER going through the leather....and didn't know it until I was a little over 1/8th inch IN my finger. I have a really simple test for point sharpness - I use an empty drink bottle and if the plastic resists puncture at all, the awl needs to be sharper. Most of the time the point just glides right through. Having a scary sharp point is CRITICAL to the process because it lets you penetrate the leather without pushing against it. Yes, you push the awl. A dull point will push the leather over, often resulting in a misplaced exit hole...if you're using a clam. What I started doing is laying everything out on a table with a self healing soft mat under the leather and stabbing 'starter' holes vertically, then re-stabbing if I needed to widen the hole. Since I don't have a clam/horse, my alternative was holding the leather in my hands while I stabbed it.....hence my changing methods.

Also, if you have a dull blade, you tend to push the awl harder and when it penetrates the leather it'll also penetrate whatever is on the OTHER side of the leather. If you're feeling for the point (a way to assure correct placement) and suddenly have less resistance on the blade....well, you get the bandaids.

[HellfireJack]

Ah, I didn't think I was crazy. I think it may have been a case of "Not all chisels are made the same" as well. The GoodsJapan chisels and Pro series Craftool chisels are much better than the plain old Craftool chisels. They have far smaller prongs.

I think you're probably right that using an awl on thick leather would be easier. I have an Osborne awl here that I stopped using because I didn't like the shape of the holes that it made. I think I'll reshape it and put some hours in with it but for double thicknesses of less than 9/10 ounces I'll stick to my chisels as it's way faster for me. Who knows maybe I'll eventually switch to the awl completely.

[katsass]

Here's an example of what an actual stitching chisel does. That is a size one harness needle in the image along with the chisel used to create the holes with 3 mm spacing.

Do you guys really see these holes as being that much bigger that you could use them for lacing or am I missing something? Keep in mind that I'm not attacking you guys. I'm looking for actual answers. I see people who are die hard awl users complain about chisels a lot and having seen the neat orderly holes they can create I wonder why.

From the old grump: Well, Hell! I didn't even know that this sort of punch, chisel or doo-dad existed. My tools and I have been on good (or reasonable) terms for so long that I just do not go looking for new stuff to replace them. This thing sort of puts a 'hole' new 'slant' on things. All the ones I have seen were a series of slanted chisels (suitable for lacing) or dinky (but not dinky enough) round hole punches. I'm sure that for curves and such, another similar single one would be needed (or back to a good awl) and I don't know how well it would work on four layers of 4/5oz and heavier stuff. Might be worth wandering through some of the newer tools just so that i didn't end up coming off as an anachronism. Mike

[HellfireJack]

I find I constantly look for three types of new things: Tools, software and electronics.

I use a four prong and two prong. The four for straight runs and the two for curves. In both cases I always put the first prong in the last hole.

Best use for me is to use a heavier mallet and hit with enough force to put just the tips through the piece. Usually it will just pop right back out. The deeper you put it into your protective board the harder it is to remove from both the leather and the board. Waxing the chisel as you would an awl also helps.

[oclack]

Well that all makes me feel a bit better.... I've been using a 6 prong chisel to punch all my work. I do think I'll have to invest in a good awl. Even though I apply wax tot my chisels, Its a pain to get it out of anything more than a 1/4 inch of thicker leather - maybe not so bad with 4 prongs though. Seems a good awl would be a better tool for this.

[St8LineGunsmith]

ya there is such a thing as stitching chisels made for making stitching holes not to be confused with lacing chisels then you have flat lacing chisels and diamond lacing chisels

and there is also a difference between a stitching awl and a sewing awl, stitching awl haft is the type you use to stab through the leather to make the stitching hole,

a sewing awl is the type with a spool of thread and a sewing needle.

I learned the difference between these types of tools when I was a saddle makers apprentice as a teenager.

[St8LineGunsmith]

Well that all makes me feel a bit better.... I've been using a 6 prong chisel to punch all my work. I do think I'll have to invest in a good awl. Even though I apply wax tot my chisels, Its a pain to get it out of anything more than a 1/4 inch of thicker leather - maybe not so bad with 4 prongs though. Seems a good awl would be a better tool for this.

stitching chisels work better on thinner leather like6-7 oz

i use a drill press or a dremel and a small drill bit to make my holes

lot of people use the drill method whikle others will tell you it is not the proper way to make stitch holes

everyone has their own method of how to make their stitch holes I think where most will agree is to cement the pieces to be sewn together first before laying out the stitch line and punching/stabbing/drilling the holes.

[macdaddytoolin]

what you can do is take you leather piece and fold it in half and find the halfway on both pieces of leather then strattle the line then you'll have the same holes to line up with the same amount of holes I use a chisle 1/16 that's how I was tought

[stangman645]

Hello All,

I'm new to the craft and I've found that using the chisels works for me for now. I've had no problems with getting my lines straight and hole to line up with out glue. Here is one of my first projects and I think it turned out pretty good. The key it taking your time I think.