[REVIEW] BuckleGuy & Corter Leather Pricking Irons + FREE PDF tool pouch

I was delighted to test out the Stitching Chisels from Corter Leather and Buckleguy (in the 3.38mm sizing) and share my thoughts on these in this review video. You'll also be able to download a free PDF pattern to make a sheath (pouch) to keep them safe.
Download the free PDF template: bit.ly/3PDEEJ3
Purchase the Stitching Irons here: bit.ly/3PuumuD
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I make and restore leather products in my spare time, mostly bags, backpacks and small items like wallets and card-holders. I am still learning a ton every time I take on a new project and always appreciate feedback on my creations.
For the moment I don't take orders as I like to spend too many hours getting the finished product as good as I can : this means that if I were to sell these bags, the selling price would be way more than the bags are worth due to the hours of work involved.
I also enjoy restoring old tools and sharing the restoration build videos on this channel.
As always, do let me know what you think of this video. If you have any tips or comments please let me know by dropping a comment below this video :)

[@mopqqq]

Neat pattern, thanks! I'll happily use it with my Kevin Lee set.

[@JamesBerry]

Glad this helps :D Hope the pattern works for you!

[@joelesko3267]

Great video! I have the 5mm chisels and recently made a sheath for them. I wet molded around the handles and came out perfectly! I totally agree with your review on the chisels! Anything Buckleguy sells/produces is extremely high quality and the fact that Eric over at Corter has his name on these beauties made it a no brainer for me to purchase! Great job all the way around!

[@JamesBerry]

Thank you Joe for your message, I'm glad you liked the video and totally agree with you on the quality of these tools :) I'm relieved to see that Corter has worked hard to produce something of this quality when it would have been easy enough to just make it "good enough" and no more. Definitely can recommend these for newcomers to the craft.

[@BeardedMoon]

Great video and review, thanks for the information! 💪

[@JamesBerry]

Glad this helps :)

[@Darkeklaw]

The boings from the thread while you were stitching. Nice.

[@TheRedbeardster]

Congrats! These irons are similar to Crimson. Interesting that Eric started the production of these toys.

[@JamesBerry]

Yeah I've been using Crimson for years (at the time they were one of the very few interesting options on offer) and these are indeed very similar, though maybe feel a tad better in the hand (really hard to tell). The real test will be the one of time to see which lasts longer.

[@dmack1827]

Bang on! You don't need a lot to get going on leather craft but a good set of pricking irons will yield dramatic improvements to stitching and stitching is one of the benchmarks of quality leather work.

[@JamesBerry]

Totally agree! I spent ages building up the courage to invest in a good set at first as I didn't really see how much of an impact it could have... but now I know it's the n°1 investment I recommend to anyone wanting to up their game.

[@bbrachman]

James: I bought the .5 mm versions as soon as they were available. The are as good as Crimson Hides with a slightly thicker handle for striking. I really love them. .6mm or .8mm thread works and looks great with them (still use Sinabroks hole punches for my 1.0 mm thread). One question on your Irons Sheath. Would they fit better with a slight gusset between the layers? Like a knife sheath? It looked like it too a bit too much force to get them in. (you did mention the pattern is larger). I still watch your Swiss Map and Medic bag videos over and over. Haven't made your version yet. Thanks again.

[@JamesBerry]

Thanks for your message. I agree, these look great with an 0,5 or 0,6mm thread! An I also find that while they're very close to Crimson Hides irons, as you mention they do have a (very slightly) chunkier handle which I find a touch more comfortable. Regarding the sheath, yes, you are totally right: this would REALLY benefit with having a gusset (or two) but would also have made the build much harder. That being said, the tightness, once the leather has taken on the shape of the irons, makes the final result feel really solidly packed and works well. But it was definitely a fight at first to get them to fit.

[@bbrachman]

@@JamesBerry I agree that the leather will loosen up with time. I just worry that I will bend or break the tines forcing it into each compartment. Maybe Tokonole on the reverse side will make them slide into their place easier. I am going to try it. I usually make very rough, from scraps, to make my sheaths. One really thick leather for the back and a thinner leather for the pockets. Your design is the most elegant I have ever seen.

[@jasonacobb]

Thank you for this video! What is the tool you are using at 2:50 to do the skiving?

[@JamesBerry]

It's a leather roughing tool - if you check that on google you can find a few different options from different retailers :)

[@Mojo_The_Gray]

What kind of tape do you use? Great concise review , thanks

[@jasonacobb]

I'm interested in that as well!

[@JamesBerry]

I use clear packing tape, the cheap basic stuff. I know there are many kinds out there which may be better suited, but don't know the variations out there. If in doubt, make sure to test on a scrap piece first.

[@quinnpickard5899]

you should review Horween Dublin

[@susanpreston9438]

James can I ask please - what are you sticking the pattern pieces onto the leather with - sellotape?

[@JamesBerry]

Yes correct :) I believe it's simple transparent packing tape.

[@ianthomas3653]

I want a set so bad, but it is hard to find them in stock.

[@JamesBerry]

Bound to be available at some point :D

[@TheShredder316]

Dowe have any discount on those? Im starting leathercrafting and wanted those to be shipped to the middle east, and I cannot afford them at $236.74 "For the on tooth and the 2,5,9"

[@JamesBerry]

Erf, sorry but I don't have any discount for you. Alternatively there are some great brands in Asia making similar items that you can find online (I recommend Crimson Hides for this). I'm guessing the shipping fees would be lower.

[@TheShredder316]

@@JamesBerry Well, I had to bite the bullet and buy them anyways. but man, they are worth every penny, Night and day difference between them and the cheap Amazon ones that I used, they go in like razors, they come out like a knife fro butter. fro Crimson hide, I actually like their new "weird looking" bevelers that you have reviewed on your vide recently. thanks for the efforts, cheers.

[@davidtrynstuff4695]

What are those lights behind him?

[@JamesBerry]

I use a few different video lights in my setup to properly light my workbench. These are Neewer CL124 bar LED lights as well as a Neewer 480 LED panel.

[@michaels3429]

Aslo- if you go 3 38, use .6 or 207 thread

[@JamesBerry]

Agreed, this is my preferred size thread :)

[@michaels3429]

You chose 3.38 because it was what was in stock, it just so happened that 3.38 looks great.. like me Stop. Please.

[@JamesBerry]

Hahah I'm sure you do look great ;) Actually I've already got a set in 4mm and a set in 3mm so this fit well between the two.

[@michaels3429]

@JamesBerry lol i meant - like me, i got 3.38 because its what was available, and it so happened that 3.38 looks great. But im happy to hear you got many different sizes, I stand corrected. I agree that these chisels are very nice Not sure ill ever go back to 4 or 5mm

[@Technician4444]

Nice tools James but be aware by reviewing them you are also promoting a rival Leather Crafter who is connected to the company that produces them. Your 27k Subs v his 599k who stands to gain most ? Will he mention your channel I wonder ?...let's hope so. Promote the product, not the business who stands to gain most.

[@JamesBerry]

I appreciate your concern in this but I'm not really here to sell patterns :) I love making videos and leatherwork is just an excuse for that. Neither videography nor leatherwork are my full time jobs, so I'm happy promoting other makers/channels who have motivated me in my crafting, and I love showcasing good tools and sharing my limited knowledge with others. Yeah Corter has a huge channel and he probably won't see this, but it's not for his sake that I'm doing this :) Glad you liked the video Ross!

[@Corter]

I see it and respect the honest review@@JamesBerry ! Glad you liked em, we worked for a year on hand feel and I'm super happy on the points you made in that the time we spent is noticeable! I also LOVE that stacked sheath design - do you mind if I iterate on it and mess around with that concept for my own case?

[@JamesBerry]

Thanks for the message, I'm glad you like the video and even more that you like the sheath design! Of course, please go ahead and play around with it :) It was a bit tight for me and I needed to shove the irons in quite hard the first time, but once the leather had taken the shape of the iron and stretched out a bit it worked great.

[@Corter]

@@JamesBerry you could always wet mold it too! Just wrap the chisels in plastic wrap first, carbon steel isn't a big fan of water haha!