Needles

[Chris623]

Frodo, I have  1, 2, 4 and 9 prong set of Craftool Pro 3mm Chisels from Tandy's, so I'm fixed on that point.  Thanks for the link.  I've watch that and multitudes of other videos.  I've never been accused of just sipping and spitting when it comes to knowledge.  My main problem is I keep sampling too many different flavors!

[chuck123wapati]

1 hour ago, Chris623 said:

Please tell me you are kidding!!!!!   Believe me when I say I was dragged kicking and screaming down this leather working rabbit hole because I "have to make sheaths for my knives".

Don't worry friend you will have plenty of help here to make it as painless as possible LOL.

[zuludog]

1 hour ago, Chris623 said:

Please tell me you are kidding!!!!!   Believe me when I say I was dragged kicking and screaming down this leather working rabbit hole because I "have to make sheaths for my knives".

Ah but think of the benefits!

You will have many more toys and tools and knives to play with and spend your money on

[fredk]

3 hours ago, Chris623 said:

I don't use thread............at this point!  Admittedly I've never done any hand stitching, so I have no idea what thread I'll be using 

I'm trying to get set up to make knife sheaths for the custom knives I make.  Of course my attitude may change, but I really have no plans on making anything else in leather.  One of my friends has told me I needed the size #1/0 harness needles.  I don' know anything about needles other than they have a one point on one end and a slot on the other end for the thread.    He said that's what I needed to do my sheath work.  So I'm assuming he based that size needle on the size of thread I'd be using on sheaths.  I've a WHOLE lot to learn about the craft.  Thanks for the RMLS thread tip.  I'll check that out.

You have a steep learning road ahead of you. How steep depends on how much you really want to make those sheaths.

There are a lot of good sheath makers on here. Grab a brew and browse thru the 'Show Off!'

https://leatherworker.net/forum/forum/31-show-off/

and the 'How do I do that?' pages

https://leatherworker.net/forum/forum/36-how-do-i-do-that/

and even the 'Critique my work'

https://leatherworker.net/forum/forum/49-critique-my-work/

[Chris623]

Danged enablers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Every craft forum I get on, no matter the craft, is full of stinkers like you guys!

[fredk]

Is that aimed at me?

Should I be offended? or not?

[Chris623]

It was aimed at all of you danged enablers.  Just remember, "I'm offended that you're offended".  (that's on one of my brother's t-shirts.)  So, no, don't be offended....................at least not for now.  I may take liberty to offend you at some later date.

[fredk]

11 minutes ago, Chris623 said:

. . . . danged enablers.  

I have no idea what that means

12 minutes ago, Chris623 said:

. . .  So, no, don't be offended....................at least not for now.  I may take liberty to offend you at some later date.

It takes a lot to offend me

I don't care what you say to me or what you call me - as long as you don't call me . . . . . . . .

 

 

 

Late for dinner!    

[chuck123wapati]

45 minutes ago, fredk said:

You have a steep learning road ahead of you. How steep depends on how much you really want to make those sheaths.

There are a lot of good sheath makers on here. Grab a brew and browse thru the 'Show Off!'

https://leatherworker.net/forum/forum/31-show-off/

and the 'How do I do that?' pages

https://leatherworker.net/forum/forum/36-how-do-i-do-that/

and even the 'Critique my work'

https://leatherworker.net/forum/forum/49-critique-my-work/

 

37 minutes ago, Chris623 said:

Danged enablers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Every craft forum I get on, no matter the craft, is full of stinkers like you guys!

and the leather tools section,  Plenty of goodies that you can make yourself lol.

[DJole]

Stitching Needles are another rabbit hole to disappear down!
Not all needles are the same -- Harness needles are rounded, less sharp than glovers' needles, for example.  You don't push harness needles through leather to make holes, like a cloth sewing needle, so they don't need to be sharp.
John James needles get consistent recommendations, and I must concur -- they are good quality.
The difficulty is knowing which ones to get-- per their website, they offer the following for Saddlers Harness needles:

25 Saddlers Harness needles in paper envelope. 

Size 1    54mm length x 1.02mm diameter
Size 2    54mm length x 1.02mm diameter
Size 3    54mm length x 1.02mm diameter
Size 4    48mm length x 0.86mm diameter
Size 18   (1/0) 57.5mm length x 1.09mm diameter
Size 17   (2/0) 59.5mm length x 1.42mm diameter
Size 16   (3/0) 61.5mm length x 1.63mm diameter

And now the beginner is hopelessly confused -- why so many? which ones do I need? what thread thickness do I need? flat braided or round twisted? polyester or linen? etc. 
It depends on the project: what weight or thickness of leather, which also dictates thread thickness and stitch spacing. Then you can figure out what needle would work.
People (not me!) who specialize in sheathes and holsters can help you figure out those variables if you ask on the forum.