What type of threads and needles?

[tryit]

Gents, What kind of thread do any or all of you all use? Also needles and do you wax your thread and what kind of stitch? I use a triangular needle that a med student gave me and also I use sail makers needles that I buy from marine supply houses when I can find them. I like cotton twist thread and flax thread. I have used nylon and dacron but the synthetics seem to wear thru leather. I tried some twisted wool thread waxed one time and it has lasted for almost 25 years with no indication of breaking down. As for stitch I like the saddle stitch with a locking knot about every 8 passes of the needle. Comments or oponions? Tryit.

[DB Leath]

I have used both synthetic and cotton thread...I prefer the synthetic...but its just my preference.  I do use wax of sorts...I went down to Home Depot and bought a toilet bowl wax ring.  I cut it up and put it in a butter dish.  I just run the thread through it before I start sewing.  Cheap too.

I use the egg eye type needles.  I also use the awl suggested in the book, Stitching Leather.

Hope this helps...

db

[MOGorilla]

I use leather needles I pick up at a hobby shop.  For thread I used pre-waxed linen thread, but I always run it through some beeswax first.   I used an awl for a while, but I was working on some 10 oz. leather and snapped it.  I have since used an ice pick I bought for $0.50

[Roy Cobb]

I use the nylon thread meant for the "Sewing" awl waxed.
I use an Osborne stitching awl (keep it sharp)
or diamond point punches.
Harness needles (the kind with pretty small eyes)
and I wax the end of the thread a little more with bee's wax.

[m-g Willy]

I drill my holes for the stiching and use mason  ( braided) line.(not the twisted) this line is rated at 150 lbs. The sticth I use is two needles one on each end of the line passing through the same hole and pulled tight enough that you need a glove to keep the line from cutting into your hand. I've got holsters over 20 years old that look like they been through a war (wet ,dried out ,drug through brush, thorns you name it, and no thread rot or breaks yet!--Willy