Left Handed Stitcher And Pricking Irons

[JamesR]

Hello,

I am left handed which can be a problem with some tools.

I want to try using a pricking iron (Blanchard or Dixon) instead of the overstitch wheel I have been using to mark my holes.

It seems to me that the angled holes produced would face in an opposte direction for a left handed person.

Is this true and does this complicate the stitching process?

Are there any other issues left handers need to know before investing in a tool like this?

Thank You

Jim

[Tugadude]

Inverse irons (sometimes referred to as Portmanteau or reverse irons) have teeth running at the opposite angle to our regular irons.

Normal Stitch Mark Direction: \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \

Reverse Stitch Mark Direction: / / / / / / / / /

You'll need reverse irons when punching through several layers is impractical such as with really thick leather or several layers of leather. Punch holes on the top side of your first layer and then use the reverse iron to punch on the face of the bottom layer. As long as you take care to match up the holes and you'll have a clean bottom side of the stitching to match your clean top side stitching.

Reverse irons can also be used for an aesthetically to have stitches from different directions angle towards a center point.

[terrymac]

Watch the Nigel Armitage videos. He is also left handed and does not seem to bother him at all.

Terry

[Tugadude]

BTW, forgot to indicate that the verbiage above came from the Blanchard site.

I'm taking no stance on whether there is a "need" for a left handed iron, just trying to be helpful!

[JamesR]

terrymac,

Thanks,I did not know Nigel was lefthanded. I will have to look at his videos more closely.

Tugadude,

Thanks also, that was useful info.

Jim

The left handed issue comes up often in a right hand world.

These pricking irons are quite expensive so I did not want any surprises

[Art]

James,

Buy an inexpensive set of irons from Springfield Leather, called Finesse Tools, you can watch the video here. These tools actually work very well and will get you a feel for things without raping your pocketbook.

Art

[gmace99]

I have taught a couple of left handed people and they seam to cope with the normal stitch markers.

I do use the reverse irons, However I was taught to use that when we use a single needle to do a back stitch.

[joshua3]

Watch the Nigel Armitage videos. He is also left handed and does not seem to bother him at all.

Terry

Even that is thrue...

But If you see his videos, sewing left handed, sewing right handed... there is indeed no difference in which hand you give him the tools. Master of masters

sorry for but I couldn't help

Edited May 14, 2015 by joshua3

[JamesR]

Art,

Thanks for the heads up on those Finess tools. I don't think I like their pricking iron but I really like the quarter round punches for corners.

Jim

[Dangerous Beans]

Even that is thrue...

But If you see his videos, sewing left handed, sewing right handed... there is indeed no difference in which hand you give him the tools. Master of masters

sorry for but I couldn't help

Just seen this and you have made me smile... thank you Joshua, you rock!

Nige (the left handed one!)

and no, being left handed with pricking irons is not an issue James. you'll be fine.