Expensive Vs Cheap Pricking Iron

[Chris Hill]

I'm going for a saddle stitch with a nice angle to the stitches. I understand that a groover will straighten the line out significantly, so I'll be using a scratch compass (spreaders?) to mark my line.

My question is this:

If I'm using an awl to make my holes, does it really matter what I use to space them out with? Nice expensive handmade pricking iron, or a cheap Tandy punch that I simply don't hit all the way through? If it is only marking a place to put my awl, and not making any hole, then it seems (with my limited knowledge) that it shouldn't matter, and therefore pointless to spend big $ on this tool.

Please correct/confirm my thoughts.

[camano ridge]

Every body has there own way of doing things, I have been doing leather work for over 40 years. My system is mark the stitch line, groove then mark my stitches with an over stitch wheel, use awl to make holes stitch and go over with overstitch wheel to smooth and press down stitches. http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/product/craftool-overstitch-wheel-system-8091-00.aspx

The advantage of the overstitch wheel is that you can by multiple wheels for different spi much cheaper then buying different pricking irons. I think it is faster as you just roll the wheel in the groove you don't have to keep repositioning the pricking iron. Then after you stitch you can roll the over stitch wheel over the stitches (hence the name). to smooth and flatten out the stitches try that with a pricking iron. Just my two cents worth and just the way I do it.

[Black Dogg]

Could not have said it better, Camano Ridge!

One thing I don't quite like about the overstitch wheel you linked to is the fact that the screw has a tendency to come loose on long lines if not really tight. The little screwdriver that comes with the set is a bit wimpy for my taste. I have upgraded to single (fixed) wheel overstitchers a couple of years ago but still use this one in my travelling toolbox. Nonetheless a good beginner setup!

[Chris Hill]

So y'all still get a more dramatic slant to your stitches or are they fairly strait?

[Troy I]

I agree with Camano...This is the way I do it also.

[camano ridge]

I agree there may be better wheels out there the ones I use are from 40 years ago. The slant to your hole comes from positioning your diamond awl when you pierce your hole. I usualy position my awl so that top (or apex) of the diamond is turned about 20 - 45 degrees to the right of my stitch line. My stitches usually end up looking pretty straight. Here are a couple examples where you can see my stitching. Just to be clear I am not saying there is anything wrong with pricking irons many people use them and like them. I just have never needed to use one.

Edited February 12, 2014 by camano ridge

[Chris Hill]

...and that strait stitching is what I'm trying to avoid, which is why I'm not cutting a grove. I want a nice slanted stitch. I'm really just wondering what the benefit of the slanted teeth are on the Dixon style irons. Why pay so much more for them then say the Tandy ones?

[DavidL]

japanese pricking irons do a decent job, but the european/ english pricking iron are more precise

[St8LineGunsmith]

regardless of your method of how you decide to mark your stitch spacing the trick to getting a nice stepped stitch all depends on the how the stitches are placed in relation to the direction of the slant of the diamond awl hole.

step 1 & 2. I stab and make first stitch from the left with the slant of the diamond to the top at 45 degree angle looking forward.

step 3. the second right hand stitch is placed to the bottom of the diamond hole. repeat steps 1,2 and 3 this will establish the stepped herring bone pattern.

Edited February 13, 2014 by St8LineGunsmith

[Chris Hill]

Right on. Thanks! I've heard that the order and placement of your needles, as well as adding the knot will create a nice stepped stitch. I think you've confirmed my thought that the pricking iron won't have any effect on the end result.