Chinese Pricking Irons (Ebay)

[kwelna]

I just picked up a set of ~9 SPI (3.38mm)pricking irons that were made in China for $30 incl shipping. They are not bad, not great, but not bad and significantly better that the diamond pricking irons sold by tandy. They are machined out of tool steel and not cast so they are way more durable. (I think I broke off at least three tines on my tandy diamond pricking irons in the course of one messenger bag........) Fairly sharp and evenly spaced. while they are not " Vergez Blanchard " they are worth the money especially if you are just starting out and tryig to improve your stitching etc. I was happy enough to order the second set with a slightly wider spacing (3.85mm). Just a thought for those of you that are a bit strapped for cash and\or just starting out. FYI....The ones I bought were sold by "Easonmo", but there are a couple of other sellers of what looks to be the same tools for about the same price.

[King's X]

Put them the teeth to some green rouge and polish them up. Be careful not to touch the teeth after doing so or you will need a band-aid. I think you wiill be okay for leather up to 7-8 though I would not go above that without cringing that you may loose a tooth or two.

[kwelna]

Thanks for the heads up, Usually I only mark the the leatherwith the pricking iron...but on the thin stuff (2\3oz ~ 5\6oz) I do tend to make it out the back side more often than not...... I just bought a new heavier maul, and I am still learning to control it ......Getting between the teeth is going to be a bit of a trick when polishing as they are pretty close together. But I am sure, like my awl, sharp and mirror smooth\shinny goes though a heck of lot easier than dull and rough. More importantly it also comes out easier..... ;-)

[tanda4]

Do you have a link to which company you bought from?

[Django57]

Not sure if these are the ones Kweina bought but these are the ones i've been looking at .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pro-Line-Pro-Stitch-3-38mm-3-85mm-Leather-Chisel-Craft-Hole-Piercing-Punch-Tool/231184680530?_trksid=p2047675.c100012.m1985&_trkparms=aid%3D444000%26algo%3DSOI.DEFAULT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D22042%26meid%3D6293486870173970461%26pid%3D100012%26prg%3D9536%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D331130001294

Although 3.38mm works out at roughly (i think} at just over 7 S.P.I

Edited April 22, 2014 by Django57

[kwelna]

Yes, I bought the irons sold by "Easonmo". I am looking forward to my secind order of the wider set as I want to try them on a messenger bag. I am really tired of having the teeth snap off my Tandy diamond punches and do not like using a wheel ( Cant stay on the line.....)

[tanda4]

Not sure if these are the ones Kweina bought but these are the ones i've been looking at .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pro-Line-Pro-Stitch-3-38mm-3-85mm-Leather-Chisel-Craft-Hole-Piercing-Punch-Tool/231184680530?_trksid=p2047675.c100012.m1985&_trkparms=aid%3D444000%26algo%3DSOI.DEFAULT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D22042%26meid%3D6293486870173970461%26pid%3D100012%26prg%3D9536%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D331130001294

Although 3.38mm works out at roughly (i think} at just over 7 S.P.I

Thanks

[craftsman827]

I've been wanting a pricking iron for a long time now.

The Verg Blanchard are out of my price range.

I do a lot of hand stitching, & I use overstitch wheels. Lately I've been using finished chrome tanned leather for some new cuffs I've been making.

The wheels don't show up well on the chrome tanned leather. So I just ordered one of the China pricking iron, the 5 tooth one, to sample it. For the price, & the info from this thread, I thought I'd give one a try. I'll report when I receive it.

[kwelna]

They are not up to Verg Blanchard quality, but I think you will like it\them. They are working fine for me. Although I do think at some point I would like to try a high end set just to see\feel the differance. I have a buddy that is a machinist and I think I am going to see if he can make me some out of better stainless steel or harder tool steel. with longer but narrower teeth.......Well I can dream can't I?

[Camerius]

I got my Saiwa pricking irons from goodsjapan.jp and have been very satisfied with them so far.