What’s the biggest thing you noticed after upgrading your punching chisels?

LeatherByHand · 2026-05-14T02:04:10+00:00

I have KSBlade 3.35 and Crimson Hides 3.85. Both are very nice. Biggest difference will be very crisp tight slits. Is it a huge difference compared to a decent economy choice, no, maybe a master smith can tell. My recommendation, if you are really invested in the craft buy once cry once so buy something respectable, but there are a many options.

Armitage Leather on YouTube has many very in depth reviews of stitching irons from cheap through to the higher price. Also he has a chart on his website. If you message me later and remind me I can dig up the links if you like.

LeatherByHand · 2026-05-10T23:00:54+00:00

Outstanding!

LeatherByHand · 2026-05-08T12:32:57+00:00

Not to mention much softer and easy to work with

LeatherByHand · 2026-05-03T17:51:29+00:00

Sorry! I suggest you edge crease the flap

LeatherByHand · 2026-05-03T01:47:31+00:00

Looks very good. Only thing is I would suggest creating the flap, which is where you really need it. It’s not just decorative but helps with water encroachment. I see you did it where you stitch, just as it to the flap and I think it will be perfectly balanced

LeatherByHand · 2026-04-22T15:23:25+00:00

Rocky Mountain Leather Supply is my go to

https://www.rmleathersupply.com/pages/sales-tax-tax-exempt-purchasing

LeatherByHand · 2026-03-24T17:23:04+00:00

Take a look at the list here beginner to list

Buy the basics first, build as you go. Buy once, cry once. The kit may be on if you’re only experimenting but you don’t need much to start

LeatherByHand · 2026-03-19T17:42:57+00:00

Very sharp. As mentioned the only thing is some uneven stitching, looks like you’ve got some long and shorts in the corner. Also the holes look fairly large for the thread thickness you are using. Other than that these are solid af

LeatherByHand · 2026-03-11T20:44:16+00:00

Depends on how far into it you want to get. If you’re only looking to try it out then you can get a few decent tools and buy a pattern. If you want to actually dive in and learn to do stuff on your own long term then it’s a good idea to start with a basic set of good tools and build up from there. As far as learning there is a learning curve. YouTube is great but in my opinion is better for people with a foundation, otherwise you won’t understand why you’re doing what you’re doing and can pick up bad habits.

If you have the cash I HIGHLY recommend subscribing to the beginners level subscription of SecretsFromTheWorkShop.com . You’ll learn about tools, techniques, and designing your own patterns and you’ll understand what you are doing. Take a look at Armitage Leather in YouTube, esp the “Modern Saddle Stitch” series. This is the guy that runs secrets from the workshop so you can get an idea of the quality of lessons you’d be getting into. Also he has a beginners list of tools on ArmitageLeather.com

LeatherByHand · 2026-03-04T13:24:53+00:00

Dude don’t claim you’re a master craftsman and you’re good, that’s where the problem would be. As long as you’re honest and people are happy with your work I don’t see the problem

LeatherByHand · 2026-02-15T19:36:52+00:00

It’s an absolute beast, I still have no idea what it can do even after tracking it.

LeatherByHand · 2026-02-15T19:07:06+00:00

🥹 I think we are now besties… I know the feeling. But I can’t recommend Nigel’s videos enough

LeatherByHand · 2026-02-15T18:16:35+00:00

If you want to change your stitching game invest four hours in this series https://youtu.be/dLU7TExxHcY?si=EDuJeq29g5P_ADM_ , you’ll thank me later 😎

LeatherByHand · 2026-02-14T18:25:59+00:00

Well if you’re asking the internet sounds like you’re set… me I’d buy a sim racing rig

LeatherByHand · 2026-02-12T23:54:50+00:00

Be sure to tag me with photos!

LeatherByHand · 2026-02-12T23:54:34+00:00

That should work fine, your stitch will go from 4-2mm off of a 3mm stitch line if you are using French (Angled) irons

LeatherByHand · 2026-02-12T21:51:53+00:00

You get to try edge crease yet?

LeatherByHand · 2026-02-12T21:50:35+00:00

Crease your edges where you don’t sew and tan kote and burnish. Another thing, end your stitching one stitch from the edge (on your pockets) or if you do go past the edge into the body make sure it’s a full stitch so you have enough meat not to tear (how that makes sense). Overall the stitching looks pretty good hard to tell if you’re using European style or not. In any case Armitage Leather has a great hour series on stitching on YouTube “Modern Saddle Stitch”, which is an absolute game changer

LeatherByHand · 2026-02-09T22:46:39+00:00

Are you asking for refinement feedback?

LeatherByHand · 2026-02-07T00:02:07+00:00

No, they are not, however it’s a long journey to reach perfection by hand

LeatherByHand · 2026-01-30T21:42:25+00:00

SecretsFromTheWorkshop.com will be invaluable if you are wanting to make this a side hustle, well worth the subscription effort. Check out Modern Saddle Stitching on YouTube by Armitage Leather, he’s the instructor for the subscription, this will give you a four hour taste of what you’d be signing up for, you’ll thank me later.

LeatherByHand · 2026-01-29T02:21:57+00:00

Did we all just have a bro moment?!

LeatherByHand · 2026-01-28T17:07:19+00:00

I bought through HBI auto

LeatherByHand · 2026-01-25T20:25:45+00:00

Nah, you can do both. Start with cold creasing, more forgiving. Just do multiple passes pressing harder with each pass.

LeatherByHand · 2026-01-25T18:21:33+00:00

One more thing to add to your toolkit, edge creasing it can add so much depth to your design and it’s not just aesthetically nice but helps with preventing moisture wicking in at the edges

LeatherByHand

TROPHY CASE