First Leather Hand-Stitching Needles?

[MtlBiker]

Since there doesn't seem to be a local source for any leather tools, I have to order online.  I'm looking for my first needles for hand-stitching leather.  Would these be a good choice from Tandy Leather?

My Al Strolhman books are arriving today, as is a stitching pony.  I've got a lot of reading and practicing to do before tackling my project.  I've got a wallet under construction where the top stitching (by machine) has to be redone in a small 2" section.  My plan is to use the same thread, v92 poly, and hand stitch that area using the same needle holes the machine made.  So it's not with normal leather hand stitching thread (whatever that is, I don't have any).

Thanks for your advice.

 

[Tugadude]

15 minutes ago, MtlBiker said:

Since there doesn't seem to be a local source for any leather tools, I have to order online.  I'm looking for my first needles for hand-stitching leather.  Would these be a good choice from Tandy Leather?

My Al Strolhman books are arriving today, as is a stitching pony.  I've got a lot of reading and practicing to do before tackling my project.  I've got a wallet under construction where the top stitching (by machine) has to be redone in a small 2" section.  My plan is to use the same thread, v92 poly, and hand stitch that area using the same needle holes the machine made.  So it's not with normal leather hand stitching thread (whatever that is, I don't have any).

Thanks for your advice.

 

No, those are not correct.  The eye is too wide and too long.  These are more like the John James needles, which are the standard. 

https://tandyleather.ca/products/harness-needles-10-pack?pr_prod_strat=description&pr_rec_pid=4527288942723&pr_ref_pid=452729

Try to find the John James online.  Also, they come in different sizes.  Small holes and thinner thread demand smaller needles.

 

[Tugadude]

Here:

https://www.rmleathersupply.com/products/john-james-saddlers-harness-needles-sz-4-2-0-00-000-25-pack?variant=711082135

They even do us a huge favor and match us the needle with the thread type and size.

[MtlBiker]

22 minutes ago, Tugadude said:

No, those are not correct.  The eye is too wide and too long.  These are more like the John James needles, which are the standard. 

https://tandyleather.ca/products/harness-needles-10-pack?pr_prod_strat=description&pr_rec_pid=4527288942723&pr_ref_pid=452729

Try to find the John James online.  Also, they come in different sizes.  Small holes and thinner thread demand smaller needles.

 

Thanks for helping to keep me from making a mistake!  I just looked at the RMLeather needles and the thread sizes mean nothing to me (inexperienced).  Is there one of those sizes that you'd suggest for v92 poly thread (which I have to use to match the thread on the wallet)?

RM's prices seem good, but geez, the cheapest shipping to Canada is US$30!!!!!  For $10 of needles!  (Actually I was ready to buy a pack of each of the sizes, but the shipping cost held me back.  To the final cost I need to add Canadian dollar exchange rate plus most probably a little duty and brokerage. 

I guess I'll try to find another Canadian source... if I can figure out what it is I need to buy.

 

[tsunkasapa]

Check out Amazon.ca

Amazon.ca : john james harness needles

[MtlBiker]

@Tugadude - The most convenient source for me is Tandy Leather (here in Canada) and I am about to place an order for each of the three sizes of those harness needles that they offer (0, 000 and 4).  I'm also going to order a stitching awl (my awl is a wood working awl and I think it's much thicker than a leather stitching awl).

And I should probably buy some thread for hand stitching (practice and other projects).  Tandy lists a bunch of different threads... what should I try?  Ritza Tiger, Tejas Waxed, Waxed Nylon, Waxed Linen, or.... ???  The choices are mind-boggling to a novice.

[Tugadude]

4 minutes ago, MtlBiker said:

@Tugadude - The most convenient source for me is Tandy Leather (here in Canada) and I am about to place an order for each of the three sizes of those harness needles that they offer (0, 000 and 4).  I'm also going to order a stitching awl (my awl is a wood working awl and I think it's much thicker than a leather stitching awl).

And I should probably buy some thread for hand stitching (practice and other projects).  Tandy lists a bunch of different threads... what should I try?  Ritza Tiger, Tejas Waxed, Waxed Nylon, Waxed Linen, or.... ???  The choices are mind-boggling to a novice.

Regarding shipping, personally I never trust what websites say.  I call or email the company.  You will sometimes find out the actual charges are going to be less than the advertised rates.  

Yes, you should find a Canadian source.  And reach out to them to ask their advice on product selection and what needles to buy.  If they are experienced they will steer you in a good direction.  And then you have the beginning of a relationship to boot.  

[sbrownn]

2 hours ago, MtlBiker said:

@Tugadude - The most convenient source for me is Tandy Leather (here in Canada) and I am about to place an order for each of the three sizes of those harness needles that they offer (0, 000 and 4).  I'm also going to order a stitching awl (my awl is a wood working awl and I think it's much thicker than a leather stitching awl).

And I should probably buy some thread for hand stitching (practice and other projects).  Tandy lists a bunch of different threads... what should I try?  Ritza Tiger, Tejas Waxed, Waxed Nylon, Waxed Linen, or.... ???  The choices are mind-boggling to a novice.

Most of my sewing, both machine and hand, is done with 0.6mm Ritza Tiger thread.  For hand stitching I use the smallest John James harness needles.

[TomE]

Keeping your awl sharp and correctly shaped is a big factor in generating quality stitching. The Stohlman books show how.  I use Osborne awls and harness needles, and like most of their tools the awls take a bit of work to get ready for use.  I do a lot of hand sewing with #207 or #277 bonded nylon thread in combination with machine sewing.  You can wax any thread and use it for hand sewing.

[MtlBiker]

1 hour ago, sbrownn said:

Most of my sewing, both machine and hand, is done with 0.6mm Ritza Tiger thread.  For hand stitching I use the smallest John James harness needles.

Thanks very much!  I am surprised though that you say you use the same thread in your sewing machine.  I would have expected the "slightly waxed" Ritza thread to mess up the sewing machine.  Do you know the actual size of the needles you use?  From my searching not everyone carries a full range of sizes and if there is a specific size to look for (for that .6 Ritza thread) then I'd like to be sure to get the right one.