Advice Wanted On Pricking Irons/stitching Awl

[Macca]

I used an iPhone as well,so I can't hide behind that

Just down to me then !

[unicornleather]

Pricking irons are the the tools of choice in the UK saddlery trade, I have a chart in my workshop somewhere with thread sizes in ration to number of stitches and type of work, if I can find it I will post it on here to help.

The awls you mention are ready made I believe but in our trade we make our own, get some diamond awl blades and handles.

Place the awl blade in 2 copper coins (we use 2p pieces) make sure you have the right end that goes in to the wooden handle and insert the other end (the tip you are going to use to make holes with) down in to a bench mounted vice.Hold it firm but not too tight, the copper coins are softer than steel and protect the awl blade from the steel vice.

Gently offer up the wooden handle and tap on to the up turned awl blade with a rawhide or wooden mallet, keep checking you have the handle straight. Take out of vice, you now have your awl.

Sharpen them either on a oil stone or with emery cloth, strop on strop board to finish off.

Here are some photos.

First one is the diamond awl blade, the tip you push through the leather is on the left, the right side where the ridge is, goes in to the wooden handle. You place the copper coins over the left side to protect the blade and insert this in to the vice so the other end is sticking up.

[/url]

Second photo is the awl handle

[/url]

Edited December 11, 2014 by unicornleather

[Hi Im Joe]

I used an iPhone as well,so I can't hide behind that

Just down to me then !

Ha I win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just don't start showing that insane tool collection you have. LET ME HAVE MY MOMENT!!!!!!!!!!

[WyomingSlick]

so blanchard are tpi, dixons are spi

means the blanchards are even more expensive than the dixons as you have to go up a size to get the same spi.

NO ! What it means is that Blanchards are made in France and since they are on the metric system, the conversion from metric to "stitches per inch" is only going to be an approximate one

Looking at a Blanchard tool site we see the following chart to which I added the approximate total lengths (for their long iron) in red

5 Stitches per Inch Set (6 & 2 Teeth) - Dist. between teeth 5.5 mm = 27,5 mm

6 Stitches per Inch Set (7 & 2 Teeth) - Dist. between teeth 4.5 mm = 27,0 mm

7 Stitches per Inch Set (8 & 2 Teeth) - Dist. between teeth 3.9 mm = 27,3 mm

8 Stitches per Inch Set (9 & 2 Teeth) - Dist. between teeth 3.4 mm = 27,4 mm

9 Stitches per Inch Set (10 & 2 Teeth) - Dist. between teeth 3.0 mm = 27,0 mm

10 Stitches per Inch Set (11 & 2 Teeth) - Dist. between teeth 2.7 mm = 27,0 mm

12 Stitches per Inch Set (13 & 2 Teeth) - Dist. between teeth 2.5 mm = 28,0 mm

Now since an inch equal 25,4 mm, you can see that their numbers are only an approximate conversion, which is further demonstrated in the photos above

Unless you need to match the stitching, say on a repair item; what does it matter Simply use the appropriate iron for the job and it won't matter whether it is 7 stitches per inch, or 6.8 inches per inch

[MonicaJacobson]

I'm still not convinced tpi and spi is a big enough difference to matter. You guys had me all rattled when I bought my 8spi blanchard thinking it would give me roughly 7spi. When I measure the stitches, there are exactly 8 per inch. Good, I guess? Mine give me 8 stitches, or basically 8 1/2 slits.

[Oldtoolsniper]

This has been a very informative thread. I'm thinking at this point as long as it looks good and is done properly a stitch up or down really makes no difference. I can't imagine it makes much difference strength wise.

Now let's get the thread size and awl sizes worked out and this will be a phenomenal thread.

[DavidL]

Mines nearly identical the holes are smaller on mine as its a Number 9.

There are 9 Slits though in my 9 iron (9 teeth per inch) which makes it 8SPI.

The stitches are angled so it becomes very close to 9 SPI, I guess because there are gaps in-between the stitching shortening the stitch length.

The end results is 9SPI

Im still not sure if they are TPI or SPI Officially, I'll send an email and see what they say.

[Grey Drakkon]

I'm quite excited, I just got my irons and awl in the mail yesterday! Didn't get home until late so I couldn't play with them, but I did manage to stab myself with the awl by testing the point. Man it's sharp! I expected it to need sharpening so I lightly touched the tip and felt it go through skin. Can't wait to see it in action!

[Oldtoolsniper]

Grey,

A tip I picked up on here (sorry don't remeber who) was to use a wine cork on the other side of the leather to push the awl into. It works really well on items that ride higher in my stitching pony.

I also have the industrial size box of band-aids handy.

[Grey Drakkon]

I did see that tip and thought it was pretty clever. Fortunately I already have a giant box of bandaids due to the cardinal rule: Do not bleed on the artwork. I'll have to put up pics of my kludge job of my first stitching pony, finishing it up just in time!