Artificial sinew and possibles bag?

[Dayne]

I am going to make a possibles bag out of elk. I was thinking of using artificial sinew for the thread. My question is this, do I need a heavier thread or will this work fine?

 

[NORD]

Should work great! Artifical sinew is very strong most of it can support 70 lbs of hanging weight. I would be careful not to pull real hard on the stitching because the sinew can cut the leather making it weaker...just make your stitches 'snug'
Good luck! :thumbsup:

 

[Okwaho]

I like artficial sinew but it has some drawbacks. First it is stronger than most leather with which it is used.Second if you don't want to use it as is you have to pull it apart and it can be a hassle.I would think for a shot bag or possibles{?}bag linen thread would do just fine. There is an alternative which I have used in buckskin and cow leather. It is one ply artificial sinew and it sews and looks just like thread.I have always used it as it comes off the spool but I suppose you could twist two strands to thicken it.I like it as well as linen and it does resemble real sinew.I have bought it from Wandering Bull in Carver, Ma.,[url] www.wanderingbull.com[/url]
Good luck
Tom Patton

 

[Norskie]

I'd go with linen thread as it ages better than the nylon they use for artificial sinew. I've seen that stuff cut through leather in a few years.

 

[bnail]

I am going to make a possibles bag out of elk. I was thinking of using artificial sinew for the thread. My question is this, do I need a heavier thread or will this work fine?

easily Hey Renegade, I know you're asaking about different weights of artificial sinew, but I wouldn't reccomend it. the way I see it, here's the pros and cons:
Pro: Very strong,
splits into thinner strands,
and is relatively inexpensive by volume.

Cons:
Strength, as stated, thread pulled too hard can cut through the leather
Does not fade, and always seems to stand out for me.
doesn't seem to hold a knot as well as linen thread.
and finally, it's just too synthetic, when linem thread is so easily obtained (not historically accurate enough for me.)

 

[NORD]

Hi LeatherMoose,

I am going to ask the big question...What ply of linen thread should a guy use on leather work for a possibles bag and where is a good place to order or buy it from?

Thank you

 

[bob1961]

i've seen hemp at wal mart i was thinking bout using it comes 6 to a bag 8' long each....will waxing the hemp before using it help in the durabilty dept.................bob

 

...will waxing the hemp before using it help in the durability dept.................bob

Yes - it's always a good idea to wax thread no matter of what type: linen, cotton, silk, or hemp. In fact use a variation of the traditional hand wax used by cobblers, it's a mix of bees wax and pine pitch/rosin at about a 60/40 ratio of wax to pitch - the pitch helps lock the threads and also adds anti-bacterial/anti-fungal properties

What ply of linen thread should a guy use on leather work for a possibles bag and where is a good place to order or buy it from?

depends on the weight of the leather but generally for the lighter weights 3 or 4 cord works good.
There are several vendors for linen or hemp thread - I generally use Barbour's Red Hand linen in 3 or 4 cord which comes in one pound spools - not cheap at $50.00, but it will give most folks a life time of thread (1700+ yds of 3 cord and 1200+ yards of 4 cord - took me about 8 years to use up a spool of 3 cord and half a spool of 5 cord and I do leatherwork for a living):
I get the Barbours from
Mid Continent Leather Sales Company
11150 S 265TH E AVE
Coweta, OK 74429
(918) 486-2900
(800) 926-2061[url] http://www.midcontinentleather.com/[/url]
- for handsewing either left or right twist is fine....

Tandy/Leather Factory sells 5 cord waxed and IIRC unwaxed linen thread in 25 yard spools (a bit heavy, but not too much for a bag) and as noted above there are several other vendors including Blue Heron Mercantile - do a Web search for linen thread or look in the Links section here for vendors....

 

[bnail]

i've seen hemp at wal mart i was thinking bout using it comes 6 to a bag 8' long each....will waxing the hemp before using it help in the durabilty dept.................bob

hey Bob, I've always found that the the hemp twine they sell at Wally World to be too thick for my liking. it'll work, and waxing it will make it easier to work with, but I've always had difficulty finding a needle to accomodate it and fitting it through the holes.
I'd say stick with the linen thread, the stuff that6's sold at Wal mart doesn't come in very large spools, but it's usually enough for a project.

 

[Norskie]

Waxing thread, either linen or hemp, has two purposes: lubricating the thread as it you pull the stitches (keeps the thread from wearing itself and the leather out) and locking the stitches in place. Waxed thread does not need to be knotted to stay in place.
As far as where to find linen thread; every year or so I shell out $45 for a big spool of 5 ply from Zack White Leather in North Carolina. Other leather suppliers have it, also. (Handy hint: Google 'leather suppliers', not 'leather') :redface: Usually you can obtain smaller quantities of linen thread in prewaxed form. A little harder to lock onto your needle, but it works fine. Even prewaxed needs additional beeswax added as you stitch.

 

[Bob Gular]

I agree with LeatherMoose, use linen. Gives a much better stitch that won't relax if you take a break and won't cut into soft elk the way that polyester sinew does. If you don't have or can't readily get linen give a shout and I'll send you enough to do your bag.

 

[NORD]

Thanks for the dealer info guys! :hatsoff:

 

[AeroncaTAL]

You can also pick up waxed linen thread from Aircraft Spruce. It is used in fabric covering aircraft; I just finished recovering the rudder on my Aeronca.

Scott
[url] http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/threads.php[/url]

 

[NORD]

Thank you! I will check it out. :hatsoff:

 

[Dayne]

Thanks for all the info. What I might do is make one bag from artificial sinew and one from thread and see how they both wear after time. I picked up three elk hides from a neighbor so it looks like I'll have some material to work with for awhile. BTW, he didn't charge me anything. I said I would make him and his wife a vest out of them.

 

[crockett]

Renegade 54- Go to Crazy Crow(website) They sell real sinew. Pound it with a hammer and pull off strands, or soak it and separate the strands. You get foot long threads that cover about four inches along the edge you are sewing. When you have about an inch of thread left, leave it flat and lace over it, locking it in place, with the next thread. Use a whip stitch.
When you work with real sinew, moisten most of the foot long thread but leave the point hard, to serve as a needle. Make holes with an awl.
I messed around with the artificial stuff because I was afraid of the real thing. Real sinew is easy to use IMHO. You'll be happier with the real thing. Barring that, I'd use linen.