Pricking iron surface (help)

[jonathanianjames]

Hello all. trying to get my head around what to use for my punching irons. more and more options are at this point confusing me.

As far as i know i need a firm enough surface but not too firm. i'm UK based if that changes things.

Thanks for any help.

[DJole]

UK or USA, or even down in Oz,  the leather and irons should  work just the same! 
1) what irons are you using (maker and size)?
2) What kind of leather is it, and how thick? Is it veg tan or chrome tan?
3) Your question is unclear -- are you asking about what surface to use your irons on (like a plastic cutting board, or a block of wood)?

[tsunkasapa]

Also, LACING/THONGING  chisels or for hand stitching?

[tsunkasapa]

And, really, after over 40 years of leatherworking, I STILL don't know what the hell a "pricking iron" is. I HEAR all manner of things wrongly called that, but I have NEVER actually MET a "Pricking Iron".

[fredk]

4 minutes ago, tsunkasapa said:

And, really, after over 40 years of leatherworking, I STILL don't know what the hell a "pricking iron" is. I HEAR all manner of things wrongly called that, but I have NEVER actually MET a "Pricking Iron".

Here: http://www.leprevo.co.uk/photos/pricking iron T134.htm

[tsunkasapa]

That is a thonging or stitching chisel. From the picture I can't tell if it is for lacing or stitching, but here in the Northwest of the U.S. I have never heard them called a "pricking iron.

[fredk]

That one and its sisters are for sewing. As the OP is in the UK then he/she is using the correct name as far as they know it.

Still waiting on the OP to come back and explain their requirement more clearly.

[Tugadude]

2 hours ago, tsunkasapa said:

That is a thonging or stitching chisel. From the picture I can't tell if it is for lacing or stitching, but here in the Northwest of the U.S. I have never heard them called a "pricking iron.

I asked that this attached thread be made 

for just this reason.  It helps sort out the differences.

 

Edited April 7, 2020 by Tugadude

[zuludog]

Yes, the terminology and nomenclature (posh words, eh!) is confusing, but I use stitching chisels, by which I mean chisels with long prongs that are designed to be knocked all the way through the leather, and to largely replace awls

For a long time I used a kitchen chopping board as a base, a plastic (polypropylene?) one about 10mm thick

Then one day I couldn't find it, so as a temporary measure I used an old magazine - thick and tough and resilient enough to support the leather and protect my bench, but soft and yielding enough not to blunt the prongs

That was a couple of years ago, and I've been using them ever since. They are simple, effectively free, and when they get worn I just replace them

[Bant]

Zuludog, using magazines as a surface for chisels, etc is a capital idea!  Thank you for your approach.