Help with Awl choices

[Rummy]

Hi all,

I am going to hand stitch...saddle stitch 10-12 oz leather.. I'm confused about awl blades, sizes, etc.... I was looking at the 4 in One set from Springfield leather but not sure if these blades are what I need. I need a Diamond blade as far as I know... I'm using this thread http://springfieldleather.com/Thread-Wax-Nyltex-DkBrown-25yd and  000 Harness Needles, so would this awl set work http://springfieldleather.com/Awl-4-in-1-Haft-Blade  ? or should I get a haft and a specific blade size for this project?? 

Appreciate any help!! Trying to get an order together from Springfield Leather tonight.

Thanks,

Rummy

[MADMAX22]

Dont bother with the 4 set, its not really a stitching awl set. If your gonna get your stuff at SF then try one of these 

http://springfieldleather.com/Awl-Stitching

Or get about a 2" awl blade they have and a haft to put it in. You ofcourse may like a shorter or longer blade as it has alot of personal preference. Regardless gotta get it sharp. Lots of threads on that. 

There are better choices of thread but they dont carry much. Personally I use linen that I hand wax myself. Most on here seem to prefer the tiger thread or maine thread. You will have to shape and sharpen your awl to match the thread you intend to stitch with to get nice looking stitches. 

[Rummy]

Thanks for the help!!

Rummy

 

 

[TinkerTailor]

11 hours ago, MADMAX22 said:

Dont bother with the 4 set, its not really a stitching awl set. If your gonna get your stuff at SF then try one of these 

http://springfieldleather.com/Awl-Stitching

Or get about a 2" awl blade they have and a haft to put it in. You ofcourse may like a shorter or longer blade as it has alot of personal preference. Regardless gotta get it sharp. Lots of threads on that. 

There are better choices of thread but they dont carry much. Personally I use linen that I hand wax myself. Most on here seem to prefer the tiger thread or maine thread. You will have to shape and sharpen your awl to match the thread you intend to stitch with to get nice looking stitches. 

Every hand is different as well. The handle shape can make a big difference, I have big hands and good grip strength and i prefer a larger, more ball shaped handle. I basically hold it with a thumb and 2 fingers. The wifey has small delicate hands and has to hold the awl with her whole fist to get the strength, so she uses a slender longer handle. If you can find a place to go and hold or use a few different handle shapes, it may help your selection process.

I have many stitching awls in my collection, quite a few antiques. One thing I have found i do not like is a heavy awl. I am not a fan of the interchangable blade awls because the ferrule adds too much weight. Also, all of my regularly used awls have a flat on one side of the handle, and so do most of the antiques. This is not just to keep it from rolling off tables, it is to tell your hand the orientation of the tip without looking so as to keep the angle of the holes the same. Try to put all of your awls so the flat and the blade are aligned the same. Only exception to this lefty tools that you set up to do the angle the other way. I like to have a flat or a little notch right where my thumb goes near the ferrule. Make one where you feel it will work for your hand.

Modify your tools to suit you. Do not be afraid. Its just wood and metal.

[Rummy]

1 hour ago, TinkerTailor said:

Every hand is different as well. The handle shape can make a big difference, I have big hands and good grip strength and i prefer a larger, more ball shaped handle. I basically hold it with a thumb and 2 fingers. The wifey has small delicate hands and has to hold the awl with her whole fist to get the strength, so she uses a slender longer handle. If you can find a place to go and hold or use a few different handle shapes, it may help your selection process.

I have many stitching awls in my collection, quite a few antiques. One thing I have found i do not like is a heavy awl. I am not a fan of the interchangable blade awls because the ferrule adds too much weight. Also, all of my regularly used awls have a flat on one side of the handle, and so do most of the antiques. This is not just to keep it from rolling off tables, it is to tell your hand the orientation of the tip without looking so as to keep the angle of the holes the same. Try to put all of your awls so the flat and the blade are aligned the same. Only exception to this lefty tools that you set up to do the angle the other way. I like to have a flat or a little notch right where my thumb goes near the ferrule. Make one where you feel it will work for your hand.

Modify your tools to suit you. Do not be afraid. Its just wood and metal.

Thanks for the tips, I'm the foreman in a wood shop so modifying wood is no problem! Or making new  handles with a lathe for that matter. Appreciate the good help! 

 

Rummy