splinters Posted January 13, 2019 Report Posted January 13, 2019 Quick question. When marking your stitch line with dividers do you normally dampen the leather before the scribe? I'll try it both ways today as I practice but thought I would check to see what the consensus maybe. Quote
Members zuludog Posted January 13, 2019 Members Report Posted January 13, 2019 So far I haven't dampened the leather. All I want to do is to mark a scratch line so I can place my stitching chisels evenly Quote
Members battlemunky Posted January 13, 2019 Members Report Posted January 13, 2019 I don't wet mine either. Just grip it and rip it. I use the scribe line exclusively for keeping my holes straight and not for recessing the thread, I only do that when I'm amaking a sheath for a hard use knife or some other item that will see abuse or at least a lot of abrasion if not abuse. Quote
splinters Posted January 13, 2019 Report Posted January 13, 2019 Knew I had an old Osborne wing divider that uses interchangeable tips. Those tips include a point tip, and also groove tips. Inserted the point tip and gave it a try for scribing a piece of scrap dry leather. With a little practice I do believe this old girl is going to make my day. Maybe I should try cleaning it up a bit. I picked this tool up way back when...……. but don't know from where. Out to the shop to do some serious practicing now marking and stitching. Thanks again gents. Quote
Members zuludog Posted January 13, 2019 Members Report Posted January 13, 2019 Yes, that stitching line is just the sort of effect you want The thing obviously works, but it would be a nice touch if you cleaned it up a bit Quote
splinters Posted January 14, 2019 Report Posted January 14, 2019 2 hours ago, zuludog said: Yes, that stitching line is just the sort of effect you want The thing obviously works, but it would be a nice touch if you cleaned it up a bit Yes, I agree about cleaning it up. I'll need to do some research on that. Wish I could remember where and when I got it. Love old tools. It's from some of my original kit I think. I'm really enjoying trying to get started again. Quote
splinters Posted January 15, 2019 Report Posted January 15, 2019 (edited) Thought you all may like to see the results of my practice using the C.S. Osborne tool to mark my stitch line. Pictured are all the tools I used today. Some items arrived yesterday so I put those to work along with some tiger thread that I just learned of reading through the forum. The small hammer I used for tapping down the stitches. A bit small but the only flat head hammer I have. This was my third practice session today and next I'll try linen thread that I'm more familiar with. The post is a thanks to you all for the help with my struggle trying to use a stitch groover for establishing the stitch line. Anyway, the practice has now been a pleasure and I think I maybe be able to learn to do an acceptable saddle stitch if I keep at it. Yes, I did get extravagant on the BK awl but I love it. Sharp, sharp ( ask me how I know ) plus like the changeability for different blades. Now, I'll have to be serious about staying with it! Edited January 15, 2019 by splinters Quote
bikermutt07 Posted January 16, 2019 Report Posted January 16, 2019 That looks really good. Nice straight line. Tension looks even as well. Quote I'm not paying 80 bucks for a belt!!! It's a strip of leather. How hard could it be? 4 years and 3 grand later.... I have a belt I can finally live with. Stitching is like gravy, it's only great if you make it every day. From Texas but in Bossier City, Louisiana.
splinters Posted January 16, 2019 Report Posted January 16, 2019 bikermutt07, thanks for taking a look. Off and running now. Quote
Members zuludog Posted January 16, 2019 Members Report Posted January 16, 2019 It looks nice & neat, but I wonder......are you using a lacing chisel or a stitching chisel?. I can't quite tell but it looks as though the prongs are flat, and flat in line with the body of the chisel; that would make it lacing. Also the stitching is all in a straight line On a stitching chisel has the prongs have a diamond shaped cross section and are set at an angel to the body of the chisel. Similarly, the awl blade should have a flat diamond cross section, not round. This produces the distinctive saw-tooth or zig zag pattern of saddle stitching. Still, it looks good, and if you're happy with it, fair enough Quote
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