Scout carry sheath

[Instinctive]

I use really good 3/32" lacing chisels to punch holes from both sides to meet in the middle. I have been consistently able to do this with very good results with a total thickness up to 30oz.

My process is:

• Everything is glued first and clamped over night.
• Sand the edged with a drum sander.
• Groove both sides 3/16" from the edge.
• Use a 1, 2 and 3 prong 3/32 chisel set to punch holes down one side.
• Use a stitching awl to punch through the first start point hole for the back side and then punch the holes on the back side.
• I use .045 (1.1mm) thread to saddle stitch.
• I keep the awl handy to open any holes that may need it.

Slow, patent chisel work is key to making this work.

This is a typical result.

[Thornton]

2 hours ago, WRLC said:

I use really good 3/32" lacing chisels to punch holes from both sides to meet in the middle. I have been consistently able to do this with very good results with a total thickness up to 30oz.

My process is:

• Everything is glued first and clamped over night.
• Sand the edged with a drum sander.
• Groove both sides 3/16" from the edge.
• Use a 1, 2 and 3 prong 3/32 chisel set to punch holes down one side.
• Use a stitching awl to punch through the first start point hole for the back side and then punch the holes on the back side.
• I use .045 (1.1mm) thread to saddle stitch.
• I keep the awl handy to open any holes that may need it.

Slow, patent chisel work is key to making this work.

This is a typical result.

Lacing or stitching chisel?

[Instinctive]

1 minute ago, Thornton said:

Lacing or stitching chisel?

2 mm (3/32") lacing chisel. Really sharp and well honed.

[Thornton]

18 minutes ago, WRLC said:

2 mm (3/32") lacing chisel. Really sharp and well honed.

I must have my terminology mixed up. Can you post a picture?

[NCArcher]

21 minutes ago, Thornton said:

Lacing or stitching chisel?

Stitching chisel won't work. You'll end up making an 'X' instead of a '/' at each hole.

But I really like the idea. You could punch from one side with the stitching chisel, use the awl to identify the start point, mark (not punch) the back then use a thin scratch awl from the back to open the holes and provide a path of least resistance for the awl as you sew. I know it's a lot of work and I should just learn to use the awl properly but this might aid in developing good technique.

 

[Instinctive]

9 minutes ago, NCArcher said:

Stitching chisel won't work. You'll end up making an 'X' instead of a '/' at each hole.

But I really like the idea. You could punch from one side with the stitching chisel, use the awl to identify the start point, mark (not punch) the back then use a thin scratch awl from the back to open the holes and provide a path of least resistance for the awl as you sew. I know it's a lot of work and I should just learn to use the awl properly but this might aid in developing good technique.

 

That right but a lacing chisel gives you a '-' and I find that works perfectly with this heavy leather. You don't need a '/'. See my next post.

[Thornton]

12 minutes ago, NCArcher said:

Stitching chisel won't work. You'll end up making an 'X' instead of a '/' at each hole.

But I really like the idea. You could punch from one side with the stitching chisel, use the awl to identify the start point, mark (not punch) the back then use a thin scratch awl from the back to open the holes and provide a path of least resistance for the awl as you sew. I know it's a lot of work and I should just learn to use the awl properly but this might aid in developing good technique.

 

I have flat lacing chisels and angled.

[Instinctive]

18 minutes ago, Thornton said:

I must have my terminology mixed up. Can you post a picture?

Here is a picture of the chisel and a sample piece I was recently playing with. Holes are chiseled on the back exactly the same way. In this case I was opening the hole a bit with a thin round awl after both sides were punched.

Total leather thickness is 12mm. My chisel tines are 8mm long.

 

[battlemunky]

Thanks for the responses everybody. Not only good advice but some good discussion in general.

 

I have several different types of chisels, / and |, along with both round awl and diamond awl, and a dremel and bit but I pretty much left that behind opting for chisels and awls. I guess I need to keep on practicing, slow down, and be patient with all the methods. I also have the overstitch wheel too which I use to mainly set my spacing evenly.

[Thornton]

33 minutes ago, WRLC said:

Here is a picture of the chisel and a sample piece I was recently playing with. Holes are chiseled on the back exactly the same way. In this case I was opening the hole a bit with a thin round awl after both sides were punched.

Total leather thickness is 12mm. My chisel tines are 8mm long.

 

I wouldn't have thought a lacing chisel would have produced that nice of stiching. An excellent new trick for improving my work. Many thanks for posting.