How To Grip A Needle

[Feraud]

I too find a small pair of smooth jawed pliers helpful with snug needles.

[slipangle]

I use a small pair of smooth-jawed pliers too. When I have to. But I wrap my thumb, index and middle finger tips in this stuff.

It's tacky, stretches and sticks to itself, and helps me grab the needle. Also protects the fingers. It is similar to the medical stuff in the pharmacy, but some is better than others. Look for the thick, very crinkly stuff. The thinner stuff doesn't work as well.

http://www.flexx-rap.com

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Snubby, did you say you were a degenerate? Me too LOL

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

I don't do much hand stitching any more, however; I still do some on certain parts of saddles, and; what works for me is, I get some bee's wax on my hands, especially on my "pulling fingers", that helps me get a grip on things. Like Snubby I am degenerated too.

Bob

[snubbyfan]

Snubby, did you say you were a degenerate? Me too LOL

This forum needs a "like" button.

[ramrod]

i use beeswak like bondobob. just a pinch and it will make your fingers real tacky. ]

you can also look into using finger cots - those rubber finger thingies that watchmakers use to assemble watches.

[robbied]

I to am a wax subscriber, a little off the thread and the grip on the needles is much better. Pliers definitely save the day when backstitching.

[Boriqua]

The part that is usually the sticking point is the fold in the thread at the eye of the needle. If you shave down your thread like suggested in the Stohlmann Hand stitching book it makes life alot easier. I use a Sz 0 harness needles. Listen to what Crazedlemming wrote too. I have been trying to ingrain this in my movement and it makes a huge difference. Lastly if you really need a little extra uumph like when sewing through really thick leather the Rubber finger tips work great and I paid 3 bucks for a box of 12 at officemax. I place one on the right thumb when I sew up a sheath with multiple layers and it works great. Sewing up a holster with 2 layers of 8-9 oz though I go naked and so long as I shave the thread I am good to go.