Sewing Leather/Sailor's Palm

[WaddWatsonEllis]

I was reading how another person was having real difficulties getting needles through leather ... and had punctured their hand .....

Here is a note from another post that I copied to here ...

Another device that sailors use is called a 'Sailor's Palm' ... essentially it is a buckled strap that goes around the hand with an enlarged 'palm' that holds a sort of 'anvil' that is used to push needles through several layers of sailmakers canvas or leather. In the old days, sewing a 'crinkle' (i.e., heavy duty grommet) into the corner of a sail could mean sewing through four to six layers of canvas with leather reinforcements  ..... and always done by hand!



Here are a couple of links:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Sailmakers-Palm-how-to-make-one./

http://www.shophistoryisfun.com/Sailors-Palm-11730.htm

This one has a good shot of one 'in use':

https://www.knotandrope.com/catalog.php?r=view&prod_id=51

[Freedom]

Here's mine that I made... can't sew without it now... forgot I didn't have it on one time and forced a needle real deep into my palm

I just used some light skirting...Flattened at a slight angel and concaved a 54cal lead boolit. Then I moulded some rawhide over the lead and sewed (if you call that sewing ) it onto the leather, picking up the thumb loop as I sewed. I put a couple dimples into the rawhide before it dried to catch the head of the needle.

Works Great!

[Wireman]

Ya'll is sew smart! 

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Howdy Gents

           I don't use one of these, but here is what Tandy sells, http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home/department/Tools/Stitching-Lacing-Tools/3944-00.aspx?feature=Product_5

   
                                              Regards

                                        tEN wOLVES 

[knucklehead]

i use the one that tandy leather factory sells.
need to get the right hand one also this way i have one on each hand.
it would be faster with both hands protected.

[TN Mongo]

I was recently given a sailor's palm by a friend that's well over 100 years old and was used by his direct ancestor who made his living making sails.  I wish I could figure out this new fangled digital camera that I got for Christmas and I could upload a picture.  The sailor's palm is very cool.  I also have the Tandy version, but it doesn't fit my big fat hands.

[Ace Lungger]

I have one, but have never used it! I turned a handle down on my wood lathe and then I drilled  1/2" hole down in the front end, and cut 1/2" circle of Buffalo leather that a good friend sent sent me, I used contact cement around and on top of every layer except the top one. I think I used 6 layers, and use it to back up with, once you got your neddle threw where you want, you can move it to the side or below and still have a backer!
Just my 2 cents worth!
ACE