Sewing Leather

David Wesner

David Wesner

Joined
Jan 5, 2005
Messages
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I could use many different tools in the shop. All would help cut down time and effort required to finish a knife package. The one I keep putting off is a good sewing machine. I'm tired of hand sewing my leather sheaths. Not the actual task, its more the extra time it takes to complete the task. They have been cutting into my profits in a big way and I'm wondering what type of sewing machines you guys might recommend. I know of the Tippman, it looks to be a great machine that is the right tool for the job. However the price is a killer, is there any other machine that anyone could recommend I look into that may be a little more reasonable ? I'm looking on ebay and to be honest I'm not sure of what to look for or stay away from. The obvious spec to me would be the thickness of the leather that will fit underneath the foot. I just made a sheath for a large blade and with the welt the thickness is ~ 1/2". What other consideration should I look at ? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Thanks fitzo. That's a good thread :thumbup: I think it pretty much answered the questions I had in reference to who-what-why-where. ;)
 
YW, David. Glad it helped. That sheathmaking forum is a goldmine of info.
 
I know what you mean about the Tippman..... It's hard to justify spending $1200 on a sewing machine when you sit and figure out how many sheaths you would have to make to for the machine to pay for itself!:eek:
 
will it sew cotton and other fabrics? does the wifey like sewing? buy HER a new sewing machine if it's her hobby like yours is knives, and just beg to be able to use it occasionally between frocks and curtains...
 
I have a big Consew High Post Industrial machine. I never use it.
I also have a Tippman, I use it all the time.
It is the best I have ever seen for stitching thick leather.
Stacy
 
mdoyle said:
I know what you mean about the Tippman..... It's hard to justify spending $1200 on a sewing machine when you sit and figure out how many sheaths you would have to make to for the machine to pay for itself!:eek:
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The more I think about it the easier it is to justify. :) I don't at all like kydex sheaths for my hunter style blades. That being said, for every knife I make there's a sheath that needs to go along with it. When I take into consideration the time it takes to make the sheath I honestly believe the Tippman would pay for itself quick. Hand-sewing for me involves first grooving, then the spacer wheel for an even stitch. Then its off to the drill press where I drill 1/16" holes for my needle. I for the life of me can't figure out how guys are pushing a needle through 3 layers of 8-9 oz. leather without drilling or an awl first. I'm not real fast at anything I do ;) . I'm thinking a machine will eliminate the drilling, the wheel, and of course the hand sewing. Add that time up over a year or two and that could be a significant amount of time.
The thread fitzo referenced was a wealth of information as to the different types of machines, there good points and shortfalls. I was not aware that Pops sells refurbished Tippmans and the price that was mentioned sounds like a heck of a deal to me. even if the price has went up a bit its still a deal. I haven't made it to the sheath-making forum as of yet, I need to check it out. Thanks guys :thumbup:
 
I recently got a Tippmann and am still learning to use it. There is a learning curve involved but Tippmann has great customer service to help guide users through any areas where they have problems. One part of the learning curve is learning how to feed your work into the machine so you don't trap yourself by not being able to turn it. My hands have developed arthritis and that is the primary reason I got one. So far I like it! I have 16 blades under way currently that will all need leather and it will sure come in handy for that! Tandy had them on sale a couple of months ago at a great price.
 
I tried cheating and farming out my stitching :thumbdn: The lady at Dr. shoe looked at me like I was crazy:D
 
Try not to think of the expenditure on a stitcher (Tippman or other) as the depreciation on a refurbished machine is virtually nothing. Even a new machine is a bargain if it frees you from the burden of hand stitching and always has a resale value of at least 50% of the new purchase price years later. ---Sandy---
 
Personally I don't think a machine sewn sheath will stand up as well as a hand stiched one. Have you though of how the thread holds everything together?

I saddle stich my sheaths. There is no way the stiching can be pulled apart the way every machine stiched sheath I've worn through the stiching in one spot has done.

Over on rec.knives (usenet) there is a fellow who does leather work for a living and he is quite willing to answer questions.

ron
 
son_of_bluegrass I would have to disagree 100%. I have seen hundred upon hundreds of custom sheaths and fancy gun rigs done with the tippman. If the stitching is poor it is user error. Many of the best holster makers in the country use tippman machines and sell rigs with belts for $2000+ for actual use in competition sports. Some of the shooters practicing 100's or 1000's of rounds a day, thats alot of drawing and reholstering. The tippman is a proper leather machine and functions as such. Handsewing is usualy slow and inevitably has minor differences in stitch length and placement. I hand sew atm as well but would kill for a tippman.

EDIT: This isnt to say there aernt great leather makers who handstitch but I wouldnt shy away form a tippman.
 
son_of_bluegrass said:
Over on rec.knives (usenet) there is a fellow who does leather work for a living and he is quite willing to answer questions.
ron
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Ron, "Swivelknife" is Sandy Morrissey, who has been making sheaths and leathergoods professionally for probably close to 65 years now. He's pretty good at answering questions, too, when he's not out riding his new motorcycle. :)
 
Sometimes it is important to the buyer that you hand stitched the leather. It shows more personal attention to detail. (at least that is what I keep telling myself).
 
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