Which Pricking Iron Do You Own?

[Django57]

evendailey they look as well made as my Joseph Dixon pricking iron would love to see some examples with the thread.

[tanda4]

I do not have any experience with any others except the diamond point ones from GoodsJapan (which eventually broke two prongs off), but I bought these sometime last year on a whim from this seller because of the price and I can't imagine much that a single pricking iron at 10x the price would do that these won't. Seem to be well made. The teeth come to very fine points (edges really) and seem to be properly hardened. I don't know that I'd go pounding them all the way through 2 layers of 8 oz. veg. tan, but that's not what they're for. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pro-Line-Pro-Stitch-3-38mm-3-85mm-Leather-Chisel-Craft-Hole-Piercing-Punch-Tool-/331130001294?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item4d18e2d78e

How many stitches per inch does it equal?

[evandailey]

How many stitches per inch does it equal?

Something like 6.5 to 7.

[Sona]

To be honest, in my eyes such offers are just too susect. If they´d be of an equal quality as a dixon, it would be just about the same price, maybe a bit more or less. But it wouldn´t be this low. That´s the open market.... you won´t sell high quality for this low, because you would loose money buy selling stuff. And you won´t sell bad quality for an enormous price, cause you would sell just for a very short time (of course with some exceptions)

That´s just a reason, why I tend to buy less tools on ebay and similar sites and more in specialized shops. Just my 2 cent....

[tailorsham1]

Vergez Blanchard - amazing tools. Always sharp, always precise, and last a lifetime if you take care of them. I primarily work with chrome tanned leathers and make custom personal accessories. The resulting stitch is beautiful. And it's what Hermes uses. If it's good enough for Hermes, it's good enough for me!

[DavidL]

I agree Vergez blanchard are most likely the best around in my opinion. However, I didn't buy another vergez since they get pricy if they are over 4 prongs so i settled for a dixon iron which I hear is a good alternative. If any one is interested I will post a comparison of the two irons.

[Sona]

As I don´t own any dixons and a lot of people try to compare them to each other I´d be very interested in a comparison of the two brands.

[cjmt]

Quick photo

One Blanchard no 10 10 tooth - quite recent, one old Dixon no 10. In Blanchard term no 10 = c. 10 tip and Dixons no 10 = 10 spi so a no 11/11 Blanchard is functionally equivalent to a 1" no 10 Dixons.

In terms of quality - old Dixons is as good as current Blanchard. Modern Dixons however have been much worse quality for at least the last 10 years, however have got better again recently, but are still patchy in my view, at least one pricking iron we've had from them in the last year had a huge casting flaw in one tooth that QC should have rejected and the teeth are still quite wide and crude. A Blanchard however is a Blanchard, they are very consistent and Ive never yet bought a bad one.

This watch strap is stitched using Blanchard no 10s and a Blanchard awl

Charlie

[Matt S]

I replied Dixon and 'other' to the question; I own 9 (actually had to count), mostly second hand. Think I ought to flog a few! Incidentally I was under the impression that Le Prevo's irons are from Dixon? They certainly look the same and there aren't very many English makers.

Don't know what the best is, but mine work.

[cjmt]

I suspect the Le Prevo are by an ex Dixons man who has set up by himself. If so i have 2 of them as well - they are quite hefty, really too much so for fine work but strong and long lived. I think Abbey sell them as well. I'd be interested to see a photo if you have one

Charlie