Al,das wrote:DW,
It's what you're used to I guess. I would find it awkward sewing with an overly-long bristle (nylon or boar), but especially nylon fishing line because it's got that natural slight curve to it. "Downside"?
I like that curve. There are times when I'll even accentuate it so that it more closely mimics the curve of the awl. Like heel seat stitching, for instance.
Guilty as charged although in my defense, I was trying to stitch slow simply because it was a tutorial. Stitching fast is not particularly conducive to learning...to seeing and understanding what's happening. If I were to stitch full speed my hands would be a blur.Seen some mighty slow, awkward, sewing on-line in videos, etc., and the common denominator was too much nylon fishing line sticking out, plus the other cardinal sin, letting go of threads while piercing with the the awl.
![crackup :crackup:](./images/smilies/crackup.gif)
Also, I don't drop my threads anymore. I never learned that technique but I have accidentally tied knots in my waxed ends so many times ("dumb bootmaker" is all I can say there) that it finally came to me that dropping the threads was the primary cause. As you, yourself, well know, you really, really don't want to have to untie a knot in well waxed linen or hemp. Teklon's easier but still no picnic.
I credit you for setting me straight on keeping hold of the thread although I had to figure out how to do it myself. Might be pretty idiosyncratic.
Well, I was "raised" on 6" boar's bristles (the Volken's sent me some that they use--4") and finally bought a kilo of 8". I think I sent you an inch thick bundle, at one point. I may have used them almost as long as nylon. And I still have a goodly supply. But I have to tell the truth, I would never switch away from nylon now...except to show off.By all means do what works for you. You just might sew faster if you'd be raised on 7-8" natural bristle. Trying to switch now would be like going from fast hunt-and-peck typing, to "proper" typing.
Like you say, it's what you're used to...I was just trying to understand why you were so shocked and nonplussed about the longer bristles.
I can't figure out how anyone can use steel bristles!
![frustrated :brickwall:](./images/smilies/brickwall.gif)