I’ve started a handful of topics on non-shoe tools and other what’s-its that I’ve come to really appreciate at my bench. I’ve got another one, but rather than just have yet another one-off post, I’m hoping this new topic could also be fun place for other folks to share tools and supplies that spark moments of appreciation.
Nothing’s off-limits, but I’ll be especially glad to read about cheap, widely accessible tools folks have found ways to reuse in their shoe and boot work, as well as things folks make themselves. Of course, I’m sure some folks will want to share photos of the nifty old vintage finds and new, pro-produced pieces, too. And I’ll be drooling along to those like everyone else.
Here’s one I’m really appreciating today: a Kemper double-end mini stylus tool, catalog number DBSS. It’s the smallest of the three they offer:
Here’s a listing for almost eight bucks on Amazon Prime:
I’ve certainly got $8 out of mine, but I’m pretty sure I paid half that or less at my local art store.
These are sold for clay sculpting, but I’ve used mine as a scratch awl, embossing tool, thread laying tool, stitch pick, and even as a scraper to remove adhesive from uppers where it shouldn’t have been.
It’s a really humble tool. The wood isn’t heavy, and the points are only little metal bits that stick into the handle partway. But the light weight is probably for the best, and I haven’t had any concerns about breaking mine.
As with the Excel tool I mentioned elsewhere, I do find it handy to have two different tools on two ends. Sometimes with the Excel, which I keep with one sharp point on it, I have to be careful about twirling it around, to avoid scratching something I don’t want to. Not so much with the Kempber ball stylus, since both tips are round.
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Japanese Dollar Store Needle Storage
I found some containers at Daiso, my local chain Japanese dollar store, that have worked remarkably well for storing harness and other needles of various sizes:
I believe these are meant for packing small quantities of condiments in lunch kits. But they’re just the right length for the largest Osborne 517 harness needles and have narrow-mouthed flip tops that make them ideal for shaking out a few needles at a time in the hand:
Daiso also stocks about a gazillion different small zipper pouches. This one, marked "LIGHTS " and “I will cherish those moments we shared together.” fits seven “seasoning pots” in a row, eight with a tight fit:
By the way, please don’t run out and replicate my Osborne harness needle collection just for shoemaking. I have the big sizes from doing heavier leathercraft projects. For finer upper binding, I really only use the smaller sizes, 517-4 through 517-7. Reference chart on the wiki:
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I recently got and appreciate these little finger socks that help me grip needles soooo much easier Kokuyo Finger Protector – Made on Jupiter
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Nice!
By the way, if you put links in their own paragraphs, the forum will often be able to show a nice “media” box with a preview picture, if the page has one:
I definitely have some of those in my toolbox! I think I got mine from Daiso, the local chain of Japanese dollar stores. I’ve found I need them less for closing since stocking up on all the sizes of Osborne harness needles. But they can still save the pads on my fingers when pulling stitches intentionally tight, like when using bent harness needles for an inseam. When I remember to use them, that is!
