Pricking irons
Pricking Irons — For Marking and Punching Even Stitching Holes in Leather
A pricking iron is an essential tool for leather stitching. Equipped with several evenly spaced teeth, it allows you to mark or punch a perfectly regular stitching line with a single strike of a mallet — the key to clean and professional-looking seams. At Cuir Naturel, we offer pricking irons with different tooth spacing (the distance between teeth) and different numbers of teeth, suitable for all your projects, from fine leather goods to thicker leather pieces.
How to Choose the Right Pricking Iron
Two main criteria should guide your choice: tooth spacing (the distance between two teeth), which determines the stitch density — a smaller spacing for fine leather goods, and a larger spacing for thicker pieces or a more pronounced appearance — and the type of point. Diamond-point pricking irons can directly pierce thin leather (under 2 mm), while thicker leather is generally marked with a pricking iron first and then pierced with an awl. Ideally, use a multi-tooth pricking iron for straight lines and a two-tooth pricking iron for curves and corners.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pricking Irons
What is a pricking iron used for?
A pricking iron is used to mark or punch leather stitching holes evenly and consistently. Its uniformly spaced teeth create a perfectly aligned stitching line with a single strike of a mallet. This is what ensures clean and regular hand stitching, especially for traditional saddle stitching.
What is the tooth spacing of a pricking iron?
Tooth spacing is the distance between two teeth of the pricking iron, usually measured in millimetres. It determines the spacing of your stitches: a small spacing (3 mm) creates a fine and tight stitch, suitable for small leather goods; a larger spacing (4 to 5 mm) is better suited to thicker pieces or a more visible stitching style. Choose according to the level of refinement you are looking for.
What is the difference between a pricking iron and an awl?
A pricking iron has several teeth and marks or punches multiple evenly spaced holes with a single strike. An awl has a single point and creates one hole at a time. They are often used together: the pricking iron defines the regular spacing, while the awl is used for precise piercing, especially on thicker leather.
How many teeth should you choose for a pricking iron?
Ideally, you should have two types of pricking irons: a multi-tooth version (4 to 10 teeth) for working quickly along straight lines, and a two-tooth version for curves, corners, and finishing areas where precise control is required. This combination covers most leather stitching needs.