I just started learning how to work with leather and I really appreciate your explanations, very detailed and lots of useful recommendations for newbies. Thanks
A really great way to verify or practice your angle through many layers is this… Glue two thinner pieces of scrap leather together and cut a straight line. Set a divider to whatever width you would like and use it to mark both sides of the leather along the straight edge. Then use you irons all the way down one side, flip the piece over, and check if your holes are exiting properly on the line
Just went back to this to give thanks. To reduce the punching noise I ended up using my bed as a table. I'm using felt cushion pads on top of the bed and a soft wood chopping board on top of the cushion. Now, I can work even at night without waking anyone and since I'm using soft wood, the tools just make a dent on the board which isn't a big issue for me. Punching became easier and my holes look consistent while the tools remain sharp. All of this came to me after watching this video as I understood the concepts. All the best!
Very good videos. From your experience, is it more difficult to learn using an awl when stitching than stitching itself?! I have heard people complain about how hard it is to poke through leather correctly using an awl. Any ideas on how long it takes to learn using awl please?
I am a new leather craft hobbyist and I love it. I am getting better all the time. I listen to the people who have been in the business or craft for a while and take what I can use because everyone has their way of doing it. Thank you for your instructional videos.
I am beginning to think that it is never advisable to punch through all layers of a leather project but instead to punch through both sides independently.
Thanks Jun! Another great video for people setting out! One additional way to help develop straight penetration is to make an identical line on the underside of the leather and use that as an aiming mark. Try to make sure the tip of your iron emerges on that line.
Thank you Philip for your comment! it's good to see them! (no pressure to write comments ; ) I see what you mean, that is actually good way. never though about it too. Thanks for great input!!
Thanks, I enjoyed the video. I had a question about the dividers you used in the video. They looked to be adjustable by hand without any tightening screws or adjusters. What kind of dividers are they?
I have both European and Japanese pricking irons. The European irons I have is from Ksblade and KevinLee, both irons are very good. But one benefit with Ksblade is that they are very easy to align to the center of a scribed line, because of the shape of the prong tip.
Thanks again I think I just need to keep up the practice when I make wallets some 4 layers thick I find it very difficult to hit the hammer straight but I will bring out the scrap and keep trying
I'm curious about this wood grain surface on the board, it looks nice. How is it different than your HDPE or other smooth rubber boards? It's okay for cutting too or blades are gliding better on HDPE?
Well, I,m glad I did not get new chisels yet. With this info I have better knowledge on what to get now. Now I can order the ones I want. Thanks for the info. 👍
leathertoolz no, I understood you the first time. I haven’t got time for nonsense. Words have meanings so that we can communicate. Otherwise, it is just noise. The pricking iron is meant to just prick the surface of the leather. Hence the design. The stitching chisel (sometimes called a stitching punch) is meant to chisel or punch through the leather. To deviate from this is misuse of the tool. Calling a tool by the incorrect name does not change the function of the tool
@@flyflung I said in the video, Morden tools are different from old ones. recent "Pricking" irons are absolutely fine for "full penetration" same as stitching irons. ; )
Anyone can figure out how to smack a punch with a hammer and make holes. HOW DO YOU *USE* IT. A chisel goes all the way through. Pricking irons don't. So what next? Use your awl to go through? How bad are the holes on the other side then? Use awl on both sides? HOW DO YOU *USE* THESE PRICKING IRONS. Jesus dude. That was a 30 minute video containing literally nothing.