pricking iron under $200?

[Tugadude]

21 hours ago, billybopp said:

I haven't tried pricking wheels, only overstitch wheels to mark spacing.  Mostly because I have only found pricking wheels in pretty high SPI.  Whether pricking wheel or overtitch they don't give you any guidance on angle - which is where I seem to need the most help.  What I'd really like to try is the VB type pricking wheel which leaves a pricking iron like mark, but they're pretty darn expensive.

Bill

Actually pricking wheels do help with the angle.  They are angled tines and when you use them, they leave distinctly angled impressions in the leather.

[Tugadude]

I borrowed this pic off of the web.  Tells the story pretty well.

 

 

[billybopp]

Thanks Tugadude! That's what I was referring to as a VB style pricking wheel.  I've also seen other devices called pricking wheels that are more like a very pointy overstitch wheel - which wouldn't be of much use for me.  I'd love one day to try the VB pricking wheel that has an edge guide - that looks very useful, if pricey.

I find the angled marks of a pricking iron used with a broad-tipped awl to be best for me.  If you hold the awl just a bit loosely when entering the slit it will settle in and give the perfect angle every time - although you still need to be closeish with the angle and that's where a flat sided awl haft as Madmax mentioned helps.  It still requires attention to get the awl straight in the horizontal and vertical plane (pitch and yaw in flying terms) - but help with the "roll" angle from the angled slits is one less thing to worry about.  

Bill

[Brianm77]

I bought these off of amazon. They come in a set of 4, less than $20.  I know they are cheap, but just starting out I didn't want to spend a bunch.  They have turned out to be well worth the little I spent on em.  They will need to be cleaned before use. They are pretty sharp.  The one thing I didn't want was for the prong to be tapered all the way up.  These have a point then do not tape anymore after that.   I like em enough that I went back and bought another size

 

--edit--  the pic did not paste. They are Aiskaer brand. Come in a plastic case. 

Edited January 25, 2017 by Brianm77

[bikermutt07]

3 hours ago, Brianm77 said:

I bought these off of amazon. They come in a set of 4, less than $20.  I know they are cheap, but just starting out I didn't want to spend a bunch.  They have turned out to be well worth the little I spent on em.  They will need to be cleaned before use. They are pretty sharp.  The one thing I didn't want was for the prong to be tapered all the way up.  These have a point then do not tape anymore after that.   I like em enough that I went back and bought another size

 

--edit--  the pic did not paste. They are Aiskaer brand. Come in a plastic case. 

I use the co link brand of those chisel and I'm really happy with them. Need to get around to getting another size of them.