Two questions for the experts

[Gadsden]

Hello everyone, I was hoping to hear some pros and cons from you folks that have a lot more experience than myself. First question, when it comes to the stich holes on a knife sheath, are there any benefits or drawbacks to drilling the holes as opposed to pushing an awl through? Second question, for hand stiching, how do y`all tie the tread to the needle. I have just finished my forth knife sheath. I used a drill with a small bit for the holes and tied the thread to my needles with a simple Hondo knot. I do not want anyone giving up any guarded secrets, I am just wanting to learn more. I will admit one thing though, the more I work with leather the more I learn. Thanks.

 

[sheathmaker]

Hello, my friend. What part of Texas? On to your questions. Drilling the holes will actually remove some leather, while piercing with an awl just kind of moves the fibers aside. The awl holes will close up around the thread on a finished stitch and give and overall better appearance. Now, if you have a drill press, you can take a couple of inches of an old ice pick, a large sewing machine need Like a # 25 or #26 or anything round and sharp of similar size and chuck it up in you drill press (NOT RUNNING) and punch the holes very neatly and they will also close up nicely around the finished stitch. (Use a little bees wax or paraffin wax to lube the needle every 5th or 6th punch, it'll go a lot easier)

Tying thread to the needle. I Always used to run the thread trough the eye and then pierce the thread in the center and pull it back over the eye end of the needle. This will give you a little girth hitch type knot that is no thicker than the original thread.

Honestly, I no longer hand stitch, but that's the way I used to do it.

Paul

 

[Salolan]

I too drill my holes for stitching, but instead of a drill bit, I use a needle that is slightly larger than what I'll use to stitch. I've also sharpened the backside of a drill bit if I needed a different size than what I had in needles. To me if you use a point rather than a drill bit, things tend to wander less as well. You also don't have to worry about the bit pulling bits of wood fiber back in to the hole from you backing block if you use a needle.
I don't tie a knot in the thread, I just pull about an inch through the eye and fold it back over. I don't ever have any issues with it pulling out unless I pull too far and hit the end of the thread.
Good luck!
Chris

 

[Omega Leather Works]

I'm definitely a proponent of a needle in the drill press. I use it running, but you can try both ways.

Two bits of advice.

Keep the needle short. You can clip it if necessary, but anything longer than what you need to get through your leather is asking for wander.

Use a piece of wood over your steel table. I hung my work off the edge of the table, or used the hole in the center for a few sheaths and it's just unnecessary when wood works so much better and doesn't damage the needle. A cut-out for belt loops or anything else that gets in the way of keeping your work flat also helps.

Pull the thread through the eye, then pierce the thread with the needle and pull it through. This is how Al Stohlman did it, and for good reason.

You may or may not be able to tell how the I thread the needles from this pic.

If you are going to do a lot of hand sewing skip the junk and get some John James harness needles and Tiger thread. I have no problem echoing those far more experienced than me in saying that they are the best. I've tried a few different kinds of needles and threads, others have tried many more. Most agree that you won't do better than JJ/Tiger.

Look at the Pouch Sheath thread by Talfuche in the stickies. I have adopted a few different methods to suit my own needs and preferences, but it's a very solid resource for those starting out. It was a big help for me.

 

[druid189]

If you are going to do a lot of hand sewing skip the junk and get some John James harness needles and Tiger thread. I have no problem echoing those far more experienced than me in saying that they are the best. I've tried a few different kinds of needles and threads, others have tried many more. Most agree that you won't do better than JJ/Tiger.

Look at the Pouch Sheath thread by Talfuche in the stickies. I have adopted a few different methods to suit my own needs and preferences, but it's a very solid resource for those starting out. It was a big help for me.

Omega......what weight tiger thread do you use?

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Omega......what weight tiger thread do you use?

1mm for 5 stitches per inch at the welt.

.8mm for inlays and stitching at 6/7 stitches per inch.

.6mm would work nicely for 7spi, but the two above work fine and use the same harness needless. I do use different needle sizes in the drill press to punch the holes though.

 

[Gadsden]

Wow, thanks guys! I knew I would get some great answers here. I like the idea of using the needle in the drill press. I will have to give it a try. I will also try the thread to needle idea. Paul I have looked at your work and it is first class. Salolan it is funny that you mentioned the possibility of the bit wandering. On last sheath I had a couple of stiches that went off course so next time I will try to shorten it up a little. Omega your color combinations are fantastic! Great stuff. Thanks again guys, I will use these words of wisdom on my next project.

 

[David Bates]

Thanks for the info on the needle in the press. I used to punch with an awl then went to the drill press with a small bit. I'm also going to try the needle or ice pick method.
Do you shape your awl like a diamond or use a round awl when hand punch?

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Thanks for the info on the needle in the press. I used to punch with an awl then went to the drill press with a small bit. I'm also going to try the needle or ice pick method.
Do you shape your awl like a diamond or use a round awl when hand punch?

These are my go-to needles.

They can be found at Walmart. I use the largest needle in the pack for 1mm thread and the next size down for .8mm thread. They don't dull, but they do go through a lot of heat cycling. Haven't had one break yet, but I've bought a few packs just in case. I clip them much shorter than they come from the package. They (especially the smaller ones) will wander if you use them full length, but they are perfect if you chop em down.

 

[michael o'machearley]

In total agreement with Paul. I made a punch with an old snap setter. Worked great till my hands could stitch no more. Got a BOSS and never looked back.