Best Type Of Pliers For Hand Stitching?

[Beewoman]

Hi,

I am starting my first piece and have got blisters from pulling needles through the leather, what type of pliers should I get to help pull the needles through the leather without damaging the needles?????

(blowing on blisters boo hoo)

[kodiakthejuggler]

According to master craftsman Nigel Armitage, look for either dentist pliers, or jeweler pliers, as they have no serrations on the jaws and will not mar your needles.

Put the head of the needle in the pliers and pull straight out. Do not put the pliers perpendicular to the needles, as the pointy end is exposed and you could bend the needle.

[electrathon]

I use these: http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-3-inch-micro-pliers-set-98876.html

The smooth jaw ones are perfect. You can hold them in the palm of your hand while you are sewing.

[humperdingle]

I just wrapped the jaws of normal pliers with thin leather... Works fine for the odd times I use them.

[Rawhide]

use nitrile or latex gloves...the gloves will give you an added grip on the needles, without reducing your speed to grab a pair of pliers for every pull.

[evandailey]

I mostly try to coat the pads of my index fingers and thumb with my stitching wax/rosin mix which makes my grip very tacky to grab the needles. But when I need a little more grip I use a smooth jaw pair like these http://www.harborfreight.com/4-3-4-quarter-inch-bent-needle-nose-pliers-40698.html that HF usually has in a bulk bin for $0.99 (orange handles). I think they are smaller than the ones in the link. The bent jaws let me reach over the top and grab a needle with the pliers using my strong hand. At that point I'm pushing instead of pulling, but I don't have to constantly swap hands with the pliers.

[electrathon]

I mostly try to coat the pads of my index fingers and thumb with my stitching wax/rosin mix which makes my grip very tacky to grab the needles. But when I need a little more grip I use a smooth jaw pair like these http://www.harborfre...iers-40698.html that HF usually has in a bulk bin for $0.99 (orange handles). I think they are smaller than the ones in the link. The bent jaws let me reach over the top and grab a needle with the pliers using my strong hand. At that point I'm pushing instead of pulling, but I don't have to constantly swap hands with the pliers.

I have those pliers too, they are way bigger than the ones in the set of three. They work, but it is hard the leave them in your hand as you are working. They do work, and it is a way to save a couple dollars.

[mmn]

Put the head of the needle in the pliers and pull straight out. Do not put the pliers perpendicular to the needles, as the pointy end is exposed and you could bend the needle.

Or ram it into your thigh! Ask me how I know....

Regards

Michael

[kodiakthejuggler]

Or ram it into your thigh! Ask me how I know....

Regards

Michael

HA!! Please, do tell!

[evandailey]

I have those pliers too, they are way bigger than the ones in the set of three. They work, but it is hard the leave them in your hand as you are working. They do work, and it is a way to save a couple dollars.

I don't think the ones I linked are the ones I have, because mine are palm sized like yours. I just couldn't find the ones I have listed online. They are the orange handles bulk bin pliers usually below all the models hanging on hooks. They're pretty small. My point was that I like the bent jaws so that I can "pull" needles either direction with my right hand only.