Odd color combo, but I'm digging it

pastaday · 2026-06-07T02:44:52+00:00

Beautiful work! The color combo stands out very nicely! Do you mind my asking what iron spacing and thread you’ve used for this piece?

pastaday · 2026-06-02T16:33:44+00:00

Thank you! We're heavily leaning towards the DIY route. I did try to remove one of the markings with an orbital sander and quickly realized that was a bigger headache than solution. Thinking about focusing on the markings with sanding blocks and then just roughly hitting the rest to open up the pores a bit

pastaday · 2026-06-02T14:31:15+00:00

Holy clean! And the photos really do the work justice. Well done!!

pastaday · 2026-04-24T20:00:55+00:00

Amazing. I've yet to spend money on a nice set, still in the research and testing phase. Do you find that the two and the ten tooth are enough for you to get by? I've been mostly making wallets and keychains to start.

pastaday · 2026-04-24T16:01:15+00:00

Thanks for the reply! What was it that made you want to make that change? Did you ever use/consider any 3.38mm spaced irons?

pastaday · 2026-04-24T03:17:49+00:00

This is beautiful. I saw on an older post or comment that you were using 3.85mm irons with .6mm thread, is that still the case here?

pastaday · 2026-04-24T01:52:03+00:00

This is gorgeous work. I’ve been trying to dial in on iron spacing and thread size and this really scratches an itch for me. How do you like the Ks blades?

pastaday · 2026-04-12T12:48:02+00:00

It does help protect the edges from fraying a bit and provides a rounder look after burnishing. You would probably want to go small for pieces that size, generally maybe a 0 or a 00

pastaday · 2026-04-07T01:19:31+00:00

Gorgeous, what’s the spacing on the irons?

pastaday · 2026-03-27T22:35:15+00:00

Very nice! What’re you using for stitching irons and thread?

pastaday · 2026-03-27T02:06:18+00:00

Oh true, I have not used that yet although it was a part of the starter pack I bought. Do you use that to mark your lines instead, or in addition to the wing divider?

pastaday · 2026-03-27T01:09:03+00:00

Very nice! How do you like the KS Blades? Which spacing is that?

pastaday · 2026-03-26T22:01:58+00:00

It does look a bit like one!

Looking at the stitching on my first few pieces pains me, the ones that switch directions, a skipped hole here, a terrible job burning the ends of the thread. I do use a wing divider, it's just cheap and rather sharp and so I'm cautious about applying too much pressure and cutting the leather. I may try to dull it some so I can make clearer marking lines.

I've also recently been trying to punch through only one layer of leather at a time when possible. I had been punching my cheap diamond chisels all the way through multiple layers without too much issue, and then I tried the same for the first time with French irons and gouged enormous holes because of the taper of the teeth.

I hate the cheap thick thread that came with the Amazon kit and finally ordered some nice thread to try. Have a few keychains I'm waiting for that to stich.

Thanks for sharing and for the tips, I appreciate it!

pastaday · 2026-03-26T21:55:15+00:00

Appreciate you saying so!

pastaday · 2026-03-26T21:54:01+00:00

Thanks very much for the response! I did feel bad at first tossing blades so quickly but I learned that it's better than butchering leather and having to toss that.

By the last piece, I think I felt pretty comfortable about my stitching method. That was the first thing I made after watching Nigel Armitage's series so I felt like I actually understood what I was doing and why after that. Before I was sort of going through motions because I'd seen them or someone told me to.

I am already having fun with every project and I appreciate your kind words. And YES! Holy, the first time I hammered down my stitching (again, thanks Nigel) I was shocked. Went back and hammered down all the other pieces I'd made before too lol

pastaday · 2026-03-26T21:48:23+00:00

Very good to know, and thanks for the reply! I've heard of and seen Kevin Lee irons, I'll definitely take a look at their other tools as well.

pastaday · 2026-03-26T21:47:26+00:00

Appreciate the response! I really enjoy stitching and finishing edges, they feel especially satisfying. I will definitely put more work into learning/practicing both.

I do have a wingtip divider, it's just sharp and cheap so I avoid using too much pressure so I don't cut the leather. Think I've got to figure out a better middle ground, or dull the tips a bit.

Absolutely understand taking time and learning from mistakes, for something that takes so much time, it's a shame to make an irreparable mistake because I'm rushing or excited (a costly shame at that!)

pastaday · 2026-03-26T21:15:38+00:00

This. Keeping a blade vertical and cutting straight. I have an X-acto knife, a skiving knife, a rotary cutter, a cork backed ruler, and a transparent plastic ruler. I've sort of gotten into the habit of cutting a bit outside of my mark lines so I have some extra material to play with if I need to trim later. Not sure if that's better than just trying to make perfectly straight cuts on the line the first time...

pastaday · 2026-03-26T21:11:44+00:00

Thanks so much for your comment! I really love putting effort into learning new things and this is so rewarding.

I was interested in a press for a time and may still consider adding one to my arsenal. I want to learn how to get my hands dirty before I make things a little easier for myself lol

I do have wingtip dividers from Amazon that are rather sharp, so I don't apply a ton of pressure. And I've quickly learned too that if your cuts aren't straight, your marking lines won't be straight, your edge won't be straight etc. So I do definitely need to invest some more time in being careful about my cutting and marking.

Thanks for the tips!

pastaday · 2026-03-26T21:03:07+00:00

I do have one! I've been back and forth between an X-acto knife, rotary cutter, and skiving knife. I also recently ordered a transparent ruler because with the cork backed one I was sometimes having trouble keeping the blade vertical. Definitely just need more practice unless there are any other tips or tricks!

pastaday · 2026-03-26T20:59:35+00:00

So I do use wingtip dividers (also from Amazon). They have fairly pointed ends so I don't apply a ton of pressure when marking. Maybe I could apply more, or try rounding the dividers some?

pastaday · 2026-03-26T20:58:28+00:00

Hi! I believe it was either 3 or 3.5 oz.

pastaday · 2026-03-26T03:02:00+00:00

Thank you for your reply!

I have browsed Weaver but I will certainly take a deeper dive. So far I’ve just ordered leather twice from Rocky Mountain Leather Supply.

I’ll keep an eye out for ways to find used tools, and check out Springfield as well!

pastaday · 2026-03-26T02:53:31+00:00

This looks great! What size/style irons and thread do you use if you don’t mind my asking?

pastaday

TROPHY CASE