The Leather Sheath Thread Thread

Daniel Fairly Knives

Daniel Fairly Knives

Full Time Knifemaker
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See what I did there? 🤣

What thread are you guys using for machine sewing leather sheaths?

I was looking at some 207 and 277 today in person when I bought some leather locally... I didn't get any because they didn't have the colors I wanted but they both looked good. My sheaths will lean to the heavy duty side.
 
With a Cobra I'd use #277 for sheaths. Since I'm using a Chinese ShoePatcher machine I stay with #207 thread. I've used #277 with the ShoePatcher, but it'll break a thread from time to time. With #207 it's good. Bonded Poly thread seems to be the thread of choice.
 
Howdy guys!

Sorry been away fishing and was offline out in the mountains.

I run 207 top and bottom. Not only on sheaths but on heavier holsters, saddle scabbards, tack and saddlery items. I have never felt the need or seen it in the wear of my products, the need to go heavier. Paul Long used 207 top and bottom too.

All 207:

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Edited to add. Using a Cobra 4 and nylon thread. Some guys get along better with poly but to me they are bout the same. We get our thread on line at Thread Exchange.
 
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Horsewright said:
nylon thread. Some guys get along better with poly but to me they are bout the same
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I suspect we're having fish for supper? Trout?

Dave, I was thinking once upon a time you suggested bonded poly thread because poly held up better in sunlight than nylon. Very possible I don't remember correctly. Are you using bonded nylon? Or non-bonded? I find bonded easier to thread the needle, but non-bonded is more flexible for winding bobbins.

Ken H>
 
Ken H> said:
I suspect we're having fish for supper? Trout?

Dave, I was thinking once upon a time you suggested bonded poly thread because poly held up better in sunlight than nylon. Very possible I don't remember correctly. Are you using bonded nylon? Or non-bonded? I find bonded easier to thread the needle, but non-bonded is more flexible for winding bobbins.

Ken H>
Click to expand...
Nope, chicken and veggies:

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But the fishing was good.

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Mixed bag of bass this size and rainbows about the same size too.

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I would think that poly would hold up a little better in the sunlight than nylon but I think life has proven the difference to be so marginal as to not be a thing. I did try poly once on the recommendation of a saddle maker friend. His recommendation was more on how well it sewed. For me and my machines it didn't make any difference and I went back to nylon. Yes I do use bonded nylon. Both for the top and bottom. I haven't noticed any diff on winding the bobbins. But so much of all this is kinda like the fishing. gotta figure out what works for you.
 
Dave that looks fun!

Thanks everyone, this helps a lot! I have some sample thread coming with my machine, I think I'm using 277 but will have to see and work with it first.

I went all out and am attempting 100 sheaths for the first run (after lots of prototyping and practice) and 300 or so of one design.
 
Daniel Fairly Knives said:
Dave that looks fun!

Thanks everyone, this helps a lot! I have some sample thread coming with my machine, I think I'm using 277 but will have to see and work with it first.

I went all out and am attempting 100 sheaths for the first run (after lots of prototyping and practice) and 300 or so of one design.
Click to expand...

Yes sir it was.

Very cool, thats jumping in the deep end for sure! Ya'll probably run into a deal here or there. Snap a pic and post it here. Be glad to help if I can. I have made just about all the oops there are to be made and might save ya some time figuring it out.
 
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Horsewright said:
Yes sir it was.

Very cool, thats jumping in the deep end for sure! Ya'll probably run into a deal here or there. Snap a pic and post it here. Be glad to help if I can. I have made just about all the oops there are to be made and might save ya some time figuring it out.
Click to expand...

Yes I like to go big, lol. I have 1300 knives in the works.

I'm about to make some wallets and other items first. We have made a bunch of sheaths, wallets etc but nothing like this. I just got some really nice leather for wallets. Makers Leather Supply is right down the road!

I'm clicking out the wallet leather as that is another thing I'm learning. There is nothing much to the clicker I know but want to use it a lot before I get sheath dies made.

I heard from the freight company that has my Cobra!
 
Maker’s is one of our favorite suppliers. Now if they would just carry that Wicket and Craig russet in 7/8 oz too……………….. Congrats on joining the Big Cobra 4 club!
 
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New to machine sewing, I'm using N.10 (277/270 in the US) top and bottom bonded thread using Groz-Beckert 794D DYX3D 200/25 TRI Point needles. The machine I bought is chinese and did not found a clone of what it is, but its a beast. Replaced the motor with a servo and made a 13:1 speed reducer (torque multiplier also)
Second photo is part of my production for Bladeshow (Table 10o) 51 knives all machine sewn

Pablo

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PEU, that's a NICE setup you've got there. Servo motors seem to be the best for sewing machines.
 
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My machine came set up with 277 so I'm going with that for now. I just got it in and it's mostly put together.

I'm probably getting a spool of black from Weaver...
 
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