Tandy Leather Sewing Awl Kit 1216-00

Really tough and awesome tool.these guys hit it out the park.i have used it on some real tough jobs now and it never slows down.the key differances between this style and the speedy stitcher are mainly quality and needles.speedy stitcher is a poor quallity but has one advantage.it can take sewing machine needles for regular thread.that would make it a bit more versitile.but the lock stitch is much better in quality and useability.it wont take needles from a speedy stitcher as they are not inter changable.i have one of each in my emergancy-camp bag.but this lock stitch awe is the one i grab first.tandy leather is a very good company with years of experiance in the industry and their quality tools reflect this.when i first got my awl in the mail i imediatly noticed the thread and needles where both superior quality to the speedy stitcher as well as the machine work on the device itself.this lockstich awl had no burs on the threads and was smooth to thread and use.my main wish is that it had come with a second spool and maby a difrent needle as well,or even a spare of the one it came with.but the price is very nice for this kind of quality.i do recomend watching the tandy leather lock stitch sewing awl video on youtube as well as it shows a better way to finish your stitch.i do recomend this tool as opposed to the speedy stitcher.it is deffanatly built to do heavy jobs.if you camp or plan on a survival bag,add this tool.for its size and weight its a power house and will repair your tent,clothes,shoes,sleeping bags,knife sheith,backpacks and whatever other dirty camp job you may need.i do have a seven peice sailing needle set i add to this as it rounds my kit but thats another story.if you are a leather crafter this is a must have.it can even handle some upholstery work.needle is very sharp!!! Use some sence when useing this tool cause that needle will punch right through a finger.also i advise being gentle with the chuck tool.it is a softer metal and will bend if abused.i dont know if this helps anybody thinking about buying this product but i hope it does.learning how to use it is a pretty easy task and in a few hours you should be makeing some nice projects with it easily and with some speed.use a good quality waxed thread like what it comes with.and get creative.this guy is a bit more versitile that it looks.hope this was usefull and good luck.Again i recomend looking at tandy leathers videos as well.they have a very good channel on youtube and should help you decide if this purchase is right for you.

I bought this item because I wanted to learn how to do leather working. Without a sewing machine capable of sewing leather this is perfect. With this little hand stitcher you can sew almost anything on the spot and if still being used for leather, people will always like something made by hand than a machine! This product does a really nice job as far as sewing goes. It's easy to change the needles and it's also easy to change out the thread spool. I actually got two, I got the second one after I got my first and the reason why is because this tool can be used for more than just leather working. I'm also a prepper! This is definitely something that belongs in a survival kit.. If you need to see something on the spot then by far this is a must have. You can fix a tent, your jeans! You can even see animal hide to make clothing or something for storage! This tool is worth a whole lot more than what being charged. I recomend this to any leather worker as well as any prepper that's looking for what there missing in there bug out pack! This one is awesome!

Just received my purchase of a Tandy Leather Lock Stitch Sewing Awl. Sat down with it, read the instructions printed inside the unfolded cardboard package backplate, and put it together. One of the reviews I'd read on Amazon mentioned YouTube video(s), so I searched for that visual aid. Didn't really find something more illuminating, so, I went back to the packaging's instruction on (1st) "Threading Sewing Awl" and (2nd) the 5 step instructions on "How to Stitch", 5 short paragraphs, and eight accompanying illustrations.As I was recently reminded of the wisdom of Yoda- 'Do, or do not- there is no try!'So I read it again, then more carefully studied the annotated pictures- and set to work. The work I was doing was the modification of a sheep fleece-lined ankle holster in order to make it properly accept the different profile of a small semi auto pistol, instead of the revolver it was originally created to carry. The concealing effects of the fluffy fleece initially caused me some doubt about my work, but as I progressed and saw more, I was relieved to see the results of my work. The awl was working, as advertised, and the stitching looked good. Not bad for a first time effort. Now, I must say this- the distance covered by my stitching revision was only about two (2) inches, so not that much thread was pulled from the thread that came pre-wrapped on the spool. Now, if my work had been of a much grander scale, and I'd not removed what would have been a trial sample of thread, I'd have been in trouble. Even though my project was small, I had also ordered a roll of Tandy Leather Factory Waxed Nylon Thread, and a Tandy Leather Factory Sewing Awl Needle, Size-5 Fine. I didn't need or use either- but, hey, you never know.... Anyway the condition of the pre-wrapped spool is the only reason I knocked off that FIFTH STAR for this review. This is a simple tool with a modest, reasonable price, and in competent hands will do a good job. And as a last note, the little combination tool that it comes with is adequate, but I used a small adjustable Crescent wrench to tighten the shank holding the needle- just a little easier on my old fingers. That awl screwdriver/wrench (and an extra needle or two) fits nicely inside the handle under it's screw-off cap. Overall, I was pleased with my purchase.