Working with a Stitch Groover 

Hi J, It's probably just the leather - sometimes softer leathers tend to bunch up in the blade. I don't think it's something you're doing wrong - it might just be the type of leather you;re using.

I had that issue so I bought a new groover and it got clogged, tried oil and a pin but although pin went through it felt sticky. So I did what you said and it worked thank you for the tip with a lighter, it worked I then sharpened them they are like new. @Jwheeler331 thank you.

It may be that the blade isn't super sharp anymore, you can try stropping it and see if that helps. Some chrome leathers just doesn't take a groove line very well and if that is the case, we would recommend using a wing divider to mark your stitch line. Hope that helps!

Hi there, Usually a v-gouge or u-gouge is used for something like this! www.weaverleathersupply.com/search?searchCriteria=gouge

Hi there, To clear the hole, Chuck suggests using a small fabric needle to push through the leather that is jammed into the blade. If you watch around minute 5:40 in the video he talks more about this.

@@WeaverLeatherSupply Minute 5:40??? This video is only 1:36 long. And I have used needles, but they tend to penetrate the leather jammed in the hole and just make a really small hole, which fills back up when you pull the needle out.

Hi Theresa, I would recommend using either a stitch groover or making your stitch line with a wing divider. The wing divider will just mark a line and not remove any leather. Using one of these tools will ensure you have straight stitch lines so I would recommend using one of them. As far as keeping your stitch holes straight, the only thing I can really tell you is to make sure you are holding the chisel straight up and down when you go to hit it with the mallet. Any angle will cause the chisel to go in at an angle. Hope that helps!

@@WeaverLeatherSupply Thanks much for your recommendations!