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Where to get Needles that don't suck?

D

David LaFerney

Joined
Feb 4, 2015
Messages
122
Just finished my second knife/sheath, and I was afraid I would run out of needles before I finished. I made holes with one of the fork/chisel tools and enlarged them with an awl. Am I doing something wrong or just using crappy needles? Where do you get good ones?
 
Yeah man, I went through thinking there was one size "leather sewing" needle and problems to boot. Make sure you're using a good size with an appropriate head/eye. Logem made a couple posts here (#13 and 15): http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1320546-New-guy-feeling-a-bit-lost
A lot of suppliers out there but since Logem used Osborne's chart, here's their website: https://www.osborneleathertools.com/
Here's a site I've ordered from before: http://www.campbell-randall.com/shop/index.php?route=product/category&path=1_9 harness needles by Osborne No. start on page 4. Also, I've called them before because some of their prices that are posted looked ridiculous. It ended up being an error in the way the item was set up to display (relational database per/net/gross issue - carried over to shipping cost too) but they clarified and there wasn't an issue when I was billed.

Terence
 
Bad needles are a frustrating experience aren't they? Didn't take me long at all to trash those "Big Eye" needles they tried to sell everyone at Tandy back then. When I found harness needles, harder to thread because of the smaller eye, but so much better.

These might be what you have? http://www.tandyleather.com/en-usd/search/searchresults/1195-033.aspx

These are what you really need, they come in 10 packs and three sizes: http://www.tandyleather.com/en-usd/search/searchresults/1192-030.aspx

EDIT to add: Looks like we were posting at the same time, also good info up there! :D
 
At first thought, it came to mind that you must be doing something incorrectly if you are breaking needles. I don't recall ever breaking one, but I have only hand stitched the equivalent of maybe 200-300 hours. If the awl-pierced hole (drilled, punched, etc) is of sufficient size then theoretically you should never break a needle.

I been trotting along happily with size 1 needles. I'd go smaller diameter if stitching inlays or thinner materials.

Added: By the way, Campbell-Randall is a great supplier in my experience. I use linen thread rather than synthetics and the Barbours pure flax sinew 5 cord natural color left-hand twist is what I use in almost all cases. I purchased a 1,094 yard spool and still have a long time until it is depleted. I like this thread because it can be dyed and stained the same color of the leather, unlike some synthetics.
 
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As Leatherman stated, Harness needles are the way to go. If you combine them with 1.0mm Koch thread which is flat as opposed to the standard round waxed thread, then threading them is a breeze and you don't have to deal with all the mountains of extra wax.
 
logem said:
At first thought, it came to mind that you must be doing something incorrectly if you are breaking needles. I don't recall ever breaking one, but I have only hand stitched the equivalent of maybe 200-300 hours. If the awl-pierced hole (drilled, punched, etc) is of sufficient size then theoretically you should never break a needle.

I been trotting along happily with size 1 needles. I'd go smaller diameter if stitching inlays or thinner materials.

Added: By the way, Campbell-Randall is a great supplier in my experience. I use linen thread rather than synthetics and the Barbours pure flax sinew 5 cord natural color left-hand twist is what I use in almost all cases. I purchased a 1,094 yard spool and still have a long time until it is depleted. I like this thread because it can be dyed and stained the same color of the leather, unlike some synthetics.
Click to expand...

Breaking - Happened to me: years back I started having a helluva time threading needles so I ordered some with larger eyes (probably a thousand analogies of how not to fix a problem would fit here). I was breaking those 2-3 at a time but.... come to find out it was time for glasses. Got that taken care of and went back to harness needles. I've been using a size 22 spearpoint sewing needle in a drill press now which makes the holes just barely large enough but I can't remember the last time I had a harness needle break.
Campbell-Randall - I see you're in Cypress, they're only a few hours west of Houston, kind of half way to San Antonio if you're ever heading that way or get the urge for a day trip.

T
 
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