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Posted
18 hours ago, Chris623 said:

Any recommendations for a good brand of Harness needles for hand stitching?  I had an order in with Fine Leatherworking for a package of their size #1/0 needles, but requested a refund when it had been 18 days since ordering and I'd still not received them.

I can't claim to be an expert at saddle stitching. I've always used John James but after watching lots of Tony Sees (DieselpunkRo) videos I noticed he uses a longer than usual needle. He doesn't promote them but he doesn't say why. Long story short I badgered him into getting me some. They arrived yesterday after 11 days from Romania (which was expected). They look ok haven't used em yet but they've got to be easier being longer, we'll see.

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Posted

Thanks for all the comments, guys.  Helps a lot.  So many things to consider, so many things to learn.  I feel somewhat on overload because in the last year and a half, I started blacksmithing.............built a forced air ribbon burner propane forge, bought a 100 pound anvil, bought a Lincoln Tombstone welder and am teaching myself to use it, bought a leg-vise and built a stand for it, built a hammer and tong stand with my new welder, started making tongs and hammer heads in preparation for starting bladesmithing.  Have bought a 2x72 belt grinder, built a tilting table for it, run 220V lines all over my shop to supply the new welder and the new grinder, bought buffing motors and all sorts of hand-tools for the process.  Then I was told I have to get into leather working to make sheaths for my knifes...............so now I'm gathering the tools/supplies to do all of that.  And you see, a year and a half ago I knew nothing about any of those subjects.  So I've had to learn new-to-me terms and tools and a whole lot of processes I'd never been involved with in my entire life.  So the "pouring" of information into my feeble old brain has put me near to losing my mind at times.  So all the patience and help you folks have given me has helped greatly.................as has the help from the Bladesmith forums and the Blacksmith forums I've participated in. 

Chris

"All things are difficult before they are easy." 

                                          (Fortune Cookie Proverb)

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Posted

More advice.

Download  some of the FREE instruction packs from the Tandy Library. Such as this one; https://www.leathercraftlibrary.com/product/1930/custom-knife-sheath-instructions

There is a book called 'Hand Sewing Leather' by Al Stohlman but I can't find it in the library now but its available as a ready-printed copy thru Tandy shops: https://tandyleather.world/collections/books-patterns/products/the-art-of-hand-sewing-leather-book. You really can't go far wrong following the instructions in this book.

or this simplified version: https://tandyleather.world/collections/books-patterns/products/lacing-stitching-for-leathercraft-book

Al Stohlman was not only a master leather worker, artist and craftsman but his books are the number 1 go-to for instruction. Its good to have a selection of his books handy in the leather work room.

You stick with us you 'ole Okie*  :lol:  and we'll see you right

 

* I'm a Bohunk  :P

 

Al speling misteaks aer all mi own werk..

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Posted

Thanks for the links, "Bohunk".   (had to look that one up!) 

When I was last in Tandy's they had a 3-Book series on sheath making.  Written by David Holter.  It was a spiral-bound book that would lay open on a table so you could work as you looked at it.  I thought it a bit pricey at $25 plus tax for each book but ome day I might buy the set.  A quick browse through looked as it it would be pretty nice to have to get started.

Chris

"All things are difficult before they are easy." 

                                          (Fortune Cookie Proverb)

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Posted
1 hour ago, Chris623 said:

Thanks for all the comments, guys.  Helps a lot.  So many things to consider, so many things to learn.  I feel somewhat on overload because in the last year and a half, I started blacksmithing.............built a forced air ribbon burner propane forge, bought a 100 pound anvil, bought a Lincoln Tombstone welder and am teaching myself to use it, bought a leg-vise and built a stand for it, built a hammer and tong stand with my new welder, started making tongs and hammer heads in preparation for starting bladesmithing.  Have bought a 2x72 belt grinder, built a tilting table for it, run 220V lines all over my shop to supply the new welder and the new grinder, bought buffing motors and all sorts of hand-tools for the process.  Then I was told I have to get into leather working to make sheaths for my knifes...............so now I'm gathering the tools/supplies to do all of that.  And you see, a year and a half ago I knew nothing about any of those subjects.  So I've had to learn new-to-me terms and tools and a whole lot of processes I'd never been involved with in my entire life.  So the "pouring" of information into my feeble old brain has put me near to losing my mind at times.  So all the patience and help you folks have given me has helped greatly.................as has the help from the Bladesmith forums and the Blacksmith forums I've participated in. 

lol nothin like jumpin in with both feet. 

Worked in a prison for 30 years if I aint shiny every time I comment its no big deal, I just don't wave pompoms.

“I won’t be wronged, I won’t be insulted, and I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” THE DUKE!

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Posted

Yup!  My late Uncle always used to add when introducing me to someone that I was just a grown up Boy Scout lookiin' for my next merit badge! :lol:

Chris

"All things are difficult before they are easy." 

                                          (Fortune Cookie Proverb)

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Posted
27 minutes ago, Chris623 said:

Thanks for the links, "Bohunk".   (had to look that one up!) 

When I was last in Tandy's they had a 3-Book series on sheath making.  Written by David Holter.  It was a spiral-bound book that would lay open on a table so you could work as you looked at it.  I thought it a bit pricey at $25 plus tax for each book but ome day I might buy the set.  A quick browse through looked as it it would be pretty nice to have to get started.

I had a look at those books and thought well, yes, they're OK and nice to have but not for the high price demanded

Watch YT videos for free, and put your money into decent leatherworking tools - and the leather of course! As I posted earlier there are loads of videos and you'll soon pick it up

Try making something simple first, like a key fob, you'll still be using the techniques of pattern making; cutting out; saddle stitch; edge finishing 

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Posted (edited)

Simple?  Naw, I never do that.  I just dive in and do it.  Here are some pics of my first sheath knife.  Wasn't simple by any means. 

p3988603062-3.jpg

p3988603063-3.jpg

p3988603065-3.jpg

Never got to make a sheath for it.......................it sold too fast! :banana:

 

 

Edited by Chris623

Chris

"All things are difficult before they are easy." 

                                          (Fortune Cookie Proverb)

  • CFM
Posted

I kept hearing great things about John James, so I ordered a pack. I was extremely disappointed when I got them and saw the Made in China label. :ranting2:

I guess I'll order C. S. Osborne next time.

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Posted

China can produce top grade stuff with very high quality control same as any other country, and at the same time some companies all over the world produce low cost low quality goods for a different market

Boeing  mad the 737-max and look how that's been pulled apart for bad design and poor quality control. I am sure there are simular failures in most countries

Mi omputer is ot ood at speeling , it's not me

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