Plugged Stitch Groover

[bjbwt2]

Any suggestions on how to un-plug a stitch groover? I've been "teasing" the plugged leather with needles, scratch awl, etc. NO LUCK! Before you ask - No I don't currently have any replacement blades and yes I'm going to fix that soon. Thanks in advance....

[Matt S]

Lighter or match flame. Not too much, just enough to scorch the leather.

[bjbwt2]

Thanks, I'd thought about that. My other thought was to drill out the back side of the blade about 1 size larger so the little strip of leather would have an easier time feeding through the tool.

[TwinOaks]

and then strop the cutting portion of the groover. It should be peeling the leather out of the groove in a pretty continuous string.

[mikesmith648]

Puttin a little wax occasionally after stropping helps it glide better also.

[bjbwt2]

Update - The match trick worked well. I was trying to groove leather that had already been treated with vinegroon. It seems that makes it a little different consistency and a little tougher to feed through the tool. The wax trick may fix that problem. As a side note I always strop the groover before use. I am still going to try drilling out the back side of the tool 1 size (once I get my back-up). Thanks for all the replies. Sorry for the delay - I haven't been getting notifications about this thread for some reason. Also I this forum is NOT letting me start a new paragraph by pushing "enter" and it is really annoying. Does anyone know why that is happening?