awl Inexpensive awl? Kyoshin-Elle, Vergez Blanchard, Springfield Leather,LeatherCraftTools?

[YinTx]

Soo many choices out there.  You asked about the Blanchard, decent blade, but you have to put some work into it as well.  Barry King blades are pretty much Blanchards that have been worked over.

It depends on what I am stitching as to which awl I pick up.  My favorite by far is a 100 year old Racche blade.  The round blade top dead center with the blueing is a Racche.

YinTx

[Alisdair]

If you want a ready to use blade, you can't go wrong with a Barry King or Leder Louis. I have both, and they're excellent.

I also have the Vergez Blanchard - it's an excellent tool, but you'll have to do your finishing. If you're on a budget, I'd get this one....leaning n how to sharpen, finish and maintain your blades is an essential skill: even the most expensive blades will get blunt at one point.

[zuludog]

While you're spending money, you should get a round awl, aka a scratch awl, they're not very expensive

As the name implies, it is used to mark out a pattern on the leather, and also in back stitching to enlarge stitching holes without cutting the thread that's already in the hole. Then flatten the stitching with a mallet or a cobbler's hammer, and the holes will close up again

Protect the tips of the awl blades with wine bottle corks;  proper cork, not plastic. Oh, the things we must do for our hobby!

Edited November 21, 2018 by zuludog

[bermudahwin]

43 minutes ago, zuludog said:

Protect the tips of the awl blades with wine bottle corks;  proper cork, not plastic. Oh, the things we must do for our hobby!

I am up to 65 corks per awl, and drinking fast.. that doesn't include the screw tops, boxes and plastic that I have had to throw out!

Regarding nothing at all, did you know that good quality single malt whiskey has a cork glued to plastic, 'awl stand' or 'needle cushion' in its neck?

Muscht dasssh

Hic

Harry

Edited November 21, 2018 by hwinbermuda

[immiketoo]

1 hour ago, zuludog said:

While you're spending money, you should get a round awl, aka a scratch awl, they're not very expensive

As the name implies, it is used to mark out a pattern on the leather, and also in back stitching to enlarge stitching holes without cutting the thread that's already in the hole. Then flatten the stitching with a mallet or a cobbler's hammer, and the holes will close up again

Protect the tips of the awl blades with wine bottle corks;  proper cork, not plastic. Oh, the things we must do for our hobby!

What's wrong with faux cork?

[bermudahwin]

 

I find it splits quicker than real....

Hang on a minute, that means I would have to replace it more often, so I would need more bottles opened. I like your thinking.

Edited November 21, 2018 by hwinbermuda

[zuludog]

11 minutes ago, immiketoo said:

What's wrong with faux cork?

Some of the composition or synthetic corks might be a bit too hard and blunt the awl, so the safest way is to stick with genuine cork

Of course, you will only find out which you've got when you've opened a bottle.......

[immiketoo]

1 minute ago, hwinbermuda said:

I find it splits quicker than real....

Hang on a minute, that means I would have to replace it more often, so I would need more bottles opened. I like your thinking.

See?  Silver lining!

1 minute ago, zuludog said:

Some of the composition or synthetic corks might be a bit too hard and blunt the awl, so the safest way is to stick with genuine cork

Of course, you will only find out which you've got when you've opened a bottle.......

Guess I'll have to start buying better wine...:P

[GeneH]

9 hours ago, hwinbermuda said:

...did you know that good quality single malt whiskey has a cork glued to plastic, 'awl stand' or 'needle cushion' in its neck?

I *am not* going to use the cork from my 18 yr Macallan as an awl stand... just sayin'.   

[GeneH]

That's enough votes for Vergez Blanchard so I'll go that route and a couple sizes JJ needles, just have to pick out shop to buy both from. Last night I penciled in the pattern for this first tooled hatchet sheath. Kinda anxious now to get started. The previous 2 sheaths I used my drill press and would like the looks of more traditional stitching just a little better, especially with thin leather over a plastic or wood core.

 

addendum: I have a scratch awl if I can find it, compass, and a divider so I should be good to for for the moment.

 

Edited November 21, 2018 by GeneH
addendum