Tex Shooter Report post Posted April 29, 2014 (edited) I get rid of my scrap chrome tanned leather by making simple friction folding knife sheaths with it. Here are two made with some 5 OZ belly top grain.shown with a vintage 3 1/2 inch KA-BAR advertising knife. Wish they still gave away this quality of knife for advertisement. The sheath on the left is stitched with Springfield Leather twisted poly and the sheath on the right is stitched with ! mm Tiger thread. I remove excess wax and flatten the twisted poly before stitching with it. I find that it pulls easier after I do this. I sell these little sheaths wholesale very cheaply and don't do much finish on them for that reason. You can see the differences in the way that the two threads look when done. -- Tex Edited April 29, 2014 by Tex Shooter Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Syms Report post Posted May 1, 2014 Hi Tex Shooter, Thanks for posting this! Could you tell me a little bit more about the different in working with tiger thread and twisted poly? Also how is the tiger thread better? I'm still trying to figure out different types of thread and what is best for my applications. Would love to hear more input. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidL Report post Posted May 1, 2014 The three or four most used threads are polyester, linen, nylon and sometimes hemp. Polyester thread and nylon are stronger than linen and hemp because they are rot resistant since they are not made in nature. Linen is the most popular thread and stitches better in my opinion than polyester. Tiger thread has one issue that I have to deal with that I do not with linen thread. It is flat and from time to time the thread will twist and lay unevenly. The front side is easier to keep flat but the back stitches twist a lot (Is possible to get all stitches to lay properly but takes extra care) . Tiger thread is the better thread when it comes to braided polyester. Twisted poly or any linen thread won't have the twist issue and won't have that flat wide stitch that you can achieve with tiger thread. I have some tiger thread on sale if you click on my signature it will lead you to my etsy account. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tex Shooter Report post Posted May 2, 2014 I have stitched with linen also and for most app's it is a nice stitching thread. I have on occasion had linen fray when stitching a very tight stitch. I do like the Tiger thread but what David says can happen, but I have little trouble with it doing that. As you can see from my pictures, I don't try real hard to get a very perfect stitch because of the price point that I sell these sheaths. They are just a way of getting rid of my scrap leather (usually belly) that I don't use in my main products. Also my wife passed in February and hand stitching gives me something to do to keep my mind off of my loss. I will be with her again someday though. -- Tex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevinp Report post Posted May 2, 2014 If you make smaller holes as you are sewing the thread will round its self as you pull it through I never had tiger thread laying flat its always round after its been pulled up tight. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidL Report post Posted May 2, 2014 On stiff veg tan the stitches for me lay flat on upholstery 3 oz leather the thread lays round like you said which looks nicer to me. I have stitched with linen also and for most app's it is a nice stitching thread. I have on occasion had linen fray when stitching a very tight stitch. I do like the Tiger thread but what David says can happen, but I have little trouble with it doing that. As you can see from my pictures, I don't try real hard to get a very perfect stitch because of the price point that I sell these sheaths. They are just a way of getting rid of my scrap leather (usually belly) that I don't use in my main products. Also my wife passed in February and hand stitching gives me something to do to keep my mind off of my loss. I will be with her again someday though. -- Tex Do the small sheaths sell well on your website or through conventions? Do you have a website I would like to check out some of your items. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tex Shooter Report post Posted May 3, 2014 I don't have a web site. I started selling plain knife sheaths when was working as a knife wholesale rep. My customers a have been my customers for many years and I don't need a site. I sell the small sheaths mostly in person and my customers pick what they want out of the stock that I carry. I also sell some at close by trade and gun shows. Most o9f my customers want nothing but hand saddle stitched items. Most of my sheaths sell for under $10 wholesale. -- Tex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
