Advice Wanted On Pricking Irons/stitching Awl

[Oldtoolsniper]

To further make this clear as mud.

I have quite a pile of tools so I did a test run on some marking and overstitch wheels.

I did a few inches so it can be seen that they are close at best. I think it's a fair representation of what's out there and how they line up.

I know this is getting a little out there from what the OP was asking but there is a lot of good information being discussed and I think most folks start with these wheels for marking out stitches.

The first mark starts in the red line on the left side of the picture.

Edited December 10, 2014 by Oldtoolsniper

[Grey Drakkon]

I'm happy to be getting such a great discussion! I love seeing physical comparisons like that, so thanks.

[Bob Blea]

I'm learning a lot too as I'm considering getting irons. Would love to see pictures of the Dixon irons for comparison too.

[Oldtoolsniper]

I don't know about the pricking irons, but I would recommend a straight or very slightly tapered awl. The "wing awls" or "Saddler's awls" will leave a smallish hole on the back side of the hole and a large one at the front .. and the difference is more pronounced the thicker the leather. Take a look at the following picture. It shows a wing awl, three sizes Seiwa straight awls, and a Tandy (pretty sure Osborne) fine tapered awl side by side.

Other than that, What fits your hand best!?

Hope that helps

Bill

Are the Seiwa straight awls tapered at the tip and then the same thickness all the way back?

I have about thirty or so awl blades but I have no idea who the manufacturer is. I'm betting Osborne since they came in a box of osborne awl handles.

I have three different sized Blanchard diamond awl blades as well. These all taper and leave a big hole on the front and a little hole on the back.

I would think a slight taper and then the same size would make for the best looking stitch both front and back. I'm only guessing, all of mine are tapered.

[Macca]

I'm learning a lot too as I'm considering getting irons. Would love to see pictures of the Dixon irons for comparison too.

I'll take a few pictures of the dixons against a ruler, you will see they are very precise on the SPI

[Hi Im Joe]

Decided I'd post up some stuff b/c hey why not!

Here is a CS Osborne 8sti pricking iron and a Seiwa 5sti stitching chisel:

[Macca]

hmm, Joe takes better pictures than me !

heres some of the dixons.

7SPI

8SPI

9SPI

10SPI

12SPI

I guess that covers most of what you can get now.

just for fun, heres a couple they no longer make...

15SPI

16 SPI

really struggled to take pictures that shows the accuracy of the machining, but the dixons are spot on the SPI they should be

[Oldtoolsniper]

I know this thread kind of drifted but I can't help but think this is valuable information for anyone looking to buy pricking irons. I have to do everything by mail order and this will be very helpful for reference. To bad it's not under tools where more folks would find it.

Anyone have any ideas on how to do the awls? May as well get them in here to and make it a complete discussion.

[Oldtoolsniper]

Decided I'd post up some stuff b/c hey why not!

Here is a CS Osborne 8sti pricking iron and a Seiwa 5sti stitching chisel:

Joe,

What are your thoughts on the Seiwa chisels?

[Hi Im Joe]

hmm, Joe takes better pictures than me !

Iphone baby!

Joe,

What are your thoughts on the Seiwa chisels?

They are very nice. Sharp and very durable right out of the box. They feel much higher quality than the craftool chisels from Tandy.