@@LeathercraftMasterclass I mistyped: it's the 1.93mm iron. I made a tiny 14-10 watch strap! I had first made it with the 3mm iron but it didn't look right :)
I used to think that only a 10/11/12-prong iron and a 2-prong two iron of a particular size were enough, but I have come to see that a 10/11/12-prong, a 5-prong, and a 2-prong are the minimum necessary. The 5-prong is useful for dragging and leading stitching runs so that you can make up a gap of 0.25mm to 1mm wherever necessary in one to three punches. This is easier to do with a 5-prong iron than with a 10/11/12-prong iron.
I have Kevin's skiving knife and clicker knife currently and I've got one of his Japanese knives and some other goodies of his on the way. Will be grabbing some of his irons next year for sure. Very happy with the quality of his tools. Sector18 Leather Works.
HI Phil, I am just now planning to order a set of new irons, currently own 3,38 and 4mm. My dilemma is to go with 2,7 or 2,45?? I mainly make wallets, but planning to try also watch straps and later some bags as well. Which size would you recommend?
Hi Philip, great video, really appreciate it! I currently am using the Amy Roke pricking irons and am thinking of maybe getting a set of Kevin Lee's to see how much different they are. Would you be able to tell me how to hide/get rid of the line that is scribed with the wing divider? The irons I'm using are french style and when I follow the line I scribed you still see the line along the top or bottom edge of the stitch. Are you supposed to straddle the scribe line to hide it? Thanks!
@@LeathercraftMasterclass They are fantastic irons and I will leave them as is, like, you’ve suggested. The only concern I have is their pricking marks are shallower than my Amy Rokes, if stroke with same amount of force. My understanding is these pricking marks also serve as guides for awl blade to penetrate straight holes. Shallower marks also means more leather to fight through with awls. As I’m still practicing using awls, holes on the other side might look not as good as the front, for the time being. That said, this is probably an issue on my end when I’m still in the middle “breaking in” these great tools. Practicing more and getting used to them should improve my skill and final results.
These get amazing reviews. I really am curious.about the durability and how long they are going to last. They're pretty expensive for something made in China I'll say. I guess that doesn't always mean anything negative, but usually when you buy from China, you're not going to get the best quality
@@LeathercraftMasterclass I know most of the hand made iron you get from the us are quite pricey. Honestly I haven't read a bad thing yet about the new style Kevin Lee irons. Like you said, compared to what you usually pay for any decent iron, these are very well priced. I'm really thinking of pulling the trigger on these. I need to decide on one size for now
I got a 2+8 set of 3.38. Terrible quality. A tooth was already damaged and one had extra material. I was told to file it down with sand paper haha- would only deal with professionals going forward. Kevin is shady imo
Yes, they are popular pricking irons. Be sure to subscribe to my channel and turn on notifications. That way you won't be late to the party and miss out. 👍
@@jimwatchyyc That's called a back stitch. It's how you finish a seam to prevent unraveling. Essentially the friction of two pieces of thread in the same hole.
I LOVE my KL pricking irons. I have the 3mm and the 1.97mm and they are both superbly made, and a pleasure to use
Nice! What projects have you used the 1.97mm irons on?
@@LeathercraftMasterclass I mistyped: it's the 1.93mm iron. I made a tiny 14-10 watch strap! I had first made it with the 3mm iron but it didn't look right :)
I used to think that only a 10/11/12-prong iron and a 2-prong two iron of a particular size were enough, but I have come to see that a 10/11/12-prong, a 5-prong, and a 2-prong are the minimum necessary. The 5-prong is useful for dragging and leading stitching runs so that you can make up a gap of 0.25mm to 1mm wherever necessary in one to three punches. This is easier to do with a 5-prong iron than with a 10/11/12-prong iron.
Thanks for sharing!
I m using Kevin's and love it. The size of teeth is amazing.
your only as good as your tools and you definitely get what you paid for. they look fabulous, this will be on my to get list
Awesome, they are great irons for sure!
I have Kevin's skiving knife and clicker knife currently and I've got one of his Japanese knives and some other goodies of his on the way. Will be grabbing some of his irons next year for sure. Very happy with the quality of his tools. Sector18 Leather Works.
Kevins irons are the best. I have KS Blade too and I still reach for my trusty Kevin Lee's.
Yeah they're decent, especially for the price!
I have Kevin's new diamond stitching chisels and they are great!
Great to hear! Thanks for sharing that with us. 👍
Great review thank you!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
HI Phil, I am just now planning to order a set of new irons, currently own 3,38 and 4mm. My dilemma is to go with 2,7 or 2,45?? I mainly make wallets, but planning to try also watch straps and later some bags as well.
Which size would you recommend?
I would recommend 2.7mm
@@LeathercraftMasterclass thanks mate
Hi Philip, great video, really appreciate it! I currently am using the Amy Roke pricking irons and am thinking of maybe getting a set of Kevin Lee's to see how much different they are. Would you be able to tell me how to hide/get rid of the line that is scribed with the wing divider? The irons I'm using are french style and when I follow the line I scribed you still see the line along the top or bottom edge of the stitch. Are you supposed to straddle the scribe line to hide it?
Thanks!
I generally don't mark a line with wing dividers. I crease first, then keep the irons just off the crease line. Then there's nothing to hide.
I generally don't mark a line with wing dividers. I crease first, then keep the irons just off the crease line. Then there's nothing to hide.
@@LeathercraftMasterclass thanks so much!
Hi Phil, thank you for another great video! Recently I got a set of Blanchard iron, should I have their prongs polished? Thanks.
I would say only if you are experiencing a problem with them. If not I would leave them alone.
@@LeathercraftMasterclass They are fantastic irons and I will leave them as is, like, you’ve suggested. The only concern I have is their pricking marks are shallower than my Amy Rokes, if stroke with same amount of force. My understanding is these pricking marks also serve as guides for awl blade to penetrate straight holes. Shallower marks also means more leather to fight through with awls. As I’m still practicing using awls, holes on the other side might look not as good as the front, for the time being. That said, this is probably an issue on my end when I’m still in the middle “breaking in” these great tools. Practicing more and getting used to them should improve my skill and final results.
Do you use a diamond awl when using the French style one ?
You can do if you are stitching an awkward area like bag handles. But if your leather is thin and flat then you do not have to.
I need some Kevin's in my work pouch
Until I head the price
Where is abtained this tools
Link in video description 👍
These get amazing reviews. I really am curious.about the durability and how long they are going to last. They're pretty expensive for something made in China I'll say. I guess that doesn't always mean anything negative, but usually when you buy from China, you're not going to get the best quality
China is currently producing the best quality pricking irons. Go figure. Imagine how much they'd cost in the US or UK!
@@LeathercraftMasterclass I know most of the hand made iron you get from the us are quite pricey. Honestly I haven't read a bad thing yet about the new style Kevin Lee irons. Like you said, compared to what you usually pay for any decent iron, these are very well priced. I'm really thinking of pulling the trigger on these. I need to decide on one size for now
What brand /size thread did you use here?
Not 100% sure as I filmed this over a year ago. Likely fil au chinois as that's what I use mostly.
I got a 2+8 set of 3.38.
Terrible quality. A tooth was already damaged and one had extra material. I was told to file it down with sand paper haha- would only deal with professionals going forward. Kevin is shady imo
That's not good!
You are reviewing a product that cannot be bought because it is out of stock!!!
Yes, they are popular pricking irons. Be sure to subscribe to my channel and turn on notifications. That way you won't be late to the party and miss out. 👍
The top stitching line shows some bunching at the top of many stitches on the left. Why was that?
@@jimwatchyyc That's called a back stitch. It's how you finish a seam to prevent unraveling. Essentially the friction of two pieces of thread in the same hole.