Correct Way To Use Pricking Irons? I Am Confused

[25b]

This may not work for you, but I line up the front and back pieces, hit my stitching chisel so it goes through the front and just barely into the back side of the bottom layer.

Then, I can usually see the center points through the front side of the bottom layer and I line up the stiching chisel and punch the rest after lining up that way.

Edited September 20, 2015 by 25b

[DavidL]

that makes sense I will try it out on a scrap. I did this method without glueing first and it was super difficult to get 3 pieces to sit flush.

There are so many variables that one way doesnt work out with the same technique. The results are slightly different with thicker leather since the prongs widen the hole too much in my opinion hitting it all the way through. In my opinion I believe this method is best if you want to make something small that you want to cut down on time since you dont have to angle the awl perfectly, just through the hole on the back and front.

[25b]

The results are slightly different with thicker leather since the prongs widen the hole too much in my opinion hitting it all the way through.

You don't do this with pricking irons, ok??? I'm talking about using stitching chisels --- the prongs on those are the same width all the way up so the holes DO NOT get bigger the farther in they go, alright? This method is for stitching chisels only...not for pricking irons...unless you're very, very careful to only mark the other layers. Edited September 20, 2015 by 25b

[SmokeyPoint]

Ok, now you lost me. The OP and I were specifically discussing Blanchards, which are European style pricking irons. I did achieve good results that way, but it took a lot of time and care. Not something for every project, but a great tool to have in the chest.

Now that I realize you meant stitching chisels, I've been doing that for some time. Only way to avoid the splatter look on the back.

[25b]

I was specifically addressing what davidl was saying about the holes getting bigger if you use them on both sides of your work. You *can* do this, but you shouldn't be hammering the crap out of the irons anyway......if you just use them to *mark* the stitches and use your awl to open them up, then either pricking irons or stitching chisels will work well this way. But if you're whacking the #### out of them so that the holes are getting bigger, then you're not using them correctly.

That's all I was saying and I think I clarified in the last part of the last sentence in my previous post.