Saddle Stitch Versus Lock Stitch. Pros And Cons?

[Tallbald]

OK. I saddle stitch all my holsters, because I have no machine stitch equipment. I also have arthritis, and have been hoping to discover a way to stitch that I can do without aggrivating my problem. Now some decry the lock stitch, as machines and sewing awls do, saying they aren't as durable as the saddle stitch and that one broken thread and everything can unravel. Do those of you who create those beautiful belts saddle stitch the borders? Goodness if you do I don't see how your hands hold up. Would a lock stitch be blasphemy? Do commercial holster makers like Bianchi, Don Hume, Safariland and others hand saddle stitch their products? What's the answer? Combine a lock stitch where there's no stress point and saddle stich the other parts of a holster? Please tell me what others are doing. Thank you all. Don

[katsass]

Don, from just an old grumpy guy. I understand where you are coming from. I have a day or two on me also, and things do get a bit more difficult as time goes by. Luckily it ain't my grubby mitts that give me problems, it's that there isn't much git in the git-along anymore. It's rather painful to stand and start moving around. I've had too many damned doctors cutting and messing with my back, legs and knees - - to 'make things better'. The commercial holster makers use machines to do their stitching - and use the lock stitch. If you CAN make the little stitching awl work well for you - use it, but most find it difficult to maintain a constant tension when using one. If it's the needle pulling that is giving you the most problem, or if the actual use of the awl is, my suggestion would be to use a drill press, on a low speed, with a small diameter nail (chop the head off) as a bit to pre-punch your holes for saddle stitching. Find a nail size that allows you to stuff the needles through the leather without too much effort or discomfort and go to town. The holes may show a bit, but after stitching, just dampen that stitched edge then hit your work with an overstitch, and the holes should tend to disappear. Just take your time at it. Hope this helps a bit. OH, and yes, I do hand stitch my belts. Mike

P.S. Remember, there just isn't any hard and fast RULE on how things have to be done with leather - whatever works for YOU - is how it's done.

Edited November 3, 2012 by katsass

[David8386]

Don, the expert has already spoken, and he does excellent work also. So I will just try to add some words of encouragement and tell you to stick with it. Good luck

David