Stitching

[Tugadude]

This has become a silly discussion.  Everything has its place.  I do use an awl sometimes but mostly stitching chisels.  I have several sets to achieve various SPI.  
Chisels have taken the market by storm and there are literally dozens of brands/types.  Nigel Armitage used to be 100% traditional pricking iron and awl but not any longer.

I’m a hobbyist and nobody needs to take my word for it.  But there are many pros that use the chisels to help make a living.

I never punch both sides of the leather, it is quite unnecessary.  It may help to attain a better slant on the back, but there are other ways.

 

[Spyros]

1 hour ago, Tugadude said:

I never punch both sides of the leather, it is quite unnecessary.  It may help to attain a better slant on the back, but there are other ways.

Second time this is mentioned but I'm still not sure what we're talking about.  Do you mean using inverse chisels to punch the bottom layer separately?  That's a specialised technique for some very unusual situations, I've only really heard it mentioned once (by Equus leather I think) but I haven't actually seen anyone doing it.

Edited February 24, 2022 by Spyros

[Klara]

17 hours ago, Tugadude said:

People who haven't tried something probably shouldn't be pronouncing judgment.

I have tried both ways, which is how I know that I enjoy awl work more. There's situations where it's vey helpful or even necessary to have pre-punched holes, but for me those are the exceptions. Btw., my living heroine is Jo from JH Leather... (the Stohlmans are the dead ones)

It's getting OT now, but to me it looks like leatherworking is going (or has it arrived?) where knitting and woodworking have gone before: People who hardly know what they are doing are following an instructive pattern to produce something presentable as quickly as possible. Hardly anybody seems to want to learn the basics any more. I've always wondered whether that's because as adults we don't have a "good" way to dispose of our first, ugly attempts (as a child I dappled in pottery and produced ugly candleholders and sculptures - I gave them to my parents as Christmas presents and they put them in our display case). 

[Spyros]

I love Jo I think she has a super cute voice 

[tsunkasapa]

4 hours ago, Klara said:

I have tried both ways, which is how I know that I enjoy awl work more. There's situations where it's vey helpful or even necessary to have pre-punched holes, but for me those are the exceptions. Btw., my living heroine is Jo from JH Leather... (the Stohlmans are the dead ones)

It's getting OT now, but to me it looks like leatherworking is going (or has it arrived?) where knitting and woodworking have gone before: People who hardly know what they are doing are following an instructive pattern to produce something presentable as quickly as possible. Hardly anybody seems to want to learn the basics any more. I've always wondered whether that's because as adults we don't have a "good" way to dispose of our first, ugly attempts (as a child I dappled in pottery and produced ugly candleholders and sculptures - I gave them to my parents as Christmas presents and they put them in our display case). 

I think you have it exactly right. 

[chuck123wapati]

13 hours ago, Spyros said:

But (other than you becoming really quick with an awl over the years), how can it be explained that making the holes one at the time with an awl is faster than making them 10 at the time with a chisel?

its very simple you hold the awl in your right hand with your needle you poke the hole and stitch it. Takes a second or so compared to punching all the holes with a seperate tool then going back and enlarging them because they closed during the time you  were fiddling with it then stitching it. Or punching one side then having to go back and use the awl then the needles. 

[chuck123wapati]

8 hours ago, Spyros said:

Second time this is mentioned but I'm still not sure what we're talking about.  Do you mean using inverse chisels to punch the bottom layer separately?  That's a specialised technique for some very unusual situations, I've only really heard it mentioned once (by Equus leather I think) but I haven't actually seen anyone doing it.

i used to punch the front piece first then mark carefully the top hole on the second piece then run my chisels through the rough side , no need for reverse chisels, then use small brads to line up the holes glue and set the leather. Both sides punched and lined up. not fast by any means but it works well.

[chuck123wapati]

12 hours ago, Spyros said:

I know, sorry, I get it.  I must remember that not everyone does what I do.

90% of the miscommunication on the forum. lol 

[chuck123wapati]

13 hours ago, tsunkasapa said:

Just 85% of everything that has been said. Try using them on a holster for a large pistol that is 1/2"-5/8" in the trigger guard area. I'll  pass on chisels.

i dont have the experience as you by any means i use chisels now on the front then use my awl to go the rest of the way through then sew. That way only the back is jacked up lol.

[Tugadude]

1 hour ago, chuck123wapati said:

its very simple you hold the awl in your right hand with your needle you poke the hole and stitch it. Takes a second or so compared to punching all the holes with a seperate tool then going back and enlarging them because they closed during the time you  were fiddling with it then stitching it. Or punching one side then having to go back and use the awl then the needles. 

Chuck, what you describe doesn't happen, at least not in my experience.  I never, ever have to go back and enlarge holes even if the project sits overnight.  Ever.  If you have had that problem, perhaps the chisel isn't big enough for the thread in the first place?