Stingray Wallet

M

Minibear464

Joined
Jul 14, 2011
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I'm thinking of making a simple sting ray wallet, but need some advice about how to cut the skin, and how to sew it. I have no experience with sewing this kind of material, best I can do is a few patches and pieces of cloth. Sorry if this has nothing to do with knives, but I figured this would be the best area to get help from those who are experienced with this material.
 
If you wanted to check out leatherworker.net there is a bunch of info over there on this subject as it has been asked several times. Some guys will take a dremel and grind a channel for the stitching line. I have not tried this as the only thing I use it for is doing inlays. When I do that I can work around the little beads and sew it alright.

For cutting I use my shears. Most everything I use a round/head knife for but for this stuff its just easier to use some good shears.
 
I am not trying to discourage you from attempting to make your own wallet, but stingray is difficult to work in. You will want garment grade skins, which have been tanned to be softer, thinner, and more flexible. Then you will still have to deal with the hard nodes that can cut your thread easily.

Stingray wallets can be purchased on ebay and other places very reasonably, and are usually of good quality. There seems to be a entire industry in Thailand that makes exotic skin wallets and belts.

I had a stingray wallet that I got from the rayskin guys at Blade years back. It was just too hard/stiff for my taste, and I replaced it with one made from a crocodile tail. This one seems like it will last forever.
 
Thank you for your input. I know it'll be difficult, but I really like the looks of stingray, and like making things myself. This approach has ended in a few disasters, but I figure, the worst that can happen is I lose around $25 of stingray skin. I'm kind of confused about sewing in general though. What kind of needle/thread? And would it be easier to use a drill or a small nail to create holes and then thread them?
 
I would recommend checking out the forum I suggested. As far as leather working with this stuff I have used my awl to make the holes just gotta get around the little beads. You can probably use a drill as well.

There are several methods of hand stitching. The best for hand stitching is the saddle stitch, essentially you take two needles and thread one on to each end of a length of thread. Send the needle threw the first hole then the next hole you send each needle thru from each side and continue on. There is alot that goes into it but this is a simple description. Look up saddle stitch and you should be able to find some pictures describing what I am talking about.
 
A fine drill bit in a Dremel would work . Make sure you use a good saddle heavy thread available in dacron nylon or even kevlar.
 
Thank you. Quint, I've been on the site, but since I'm not a member, cannot see any of the pictures. So here's my idea:
Get the stingray, cut out my panels, soak in warm water to keep it flexible, and then fold it, make the pockets, then drill small holes for it, and stitch it using a needle and thread that I need to buy. Other than the drastic oversimplification, is there anything wrong with this plan?
 
If you have to soak it to make it flexible, it is the wrong type of rayskin. That would be rawhide rayskin for handles. You want garment grade rayskin, which is tanned and softer.
 
Ah. Thank you for the heads-up. I'm looking for a piece 9.5x5 inches, and was considering calling Van Amburg leathers. Anything about them? Because I found this one blog that stated Jerry did not send what he was supposed to, but then again, it was just one account. Is there a better place to find this size? I tried ostrich leathers, but the small ones are too small, and the next size up is way too big.
 
Minibear,
Send me an email. I can help you out. I have a big stack of exactly what you want.
 
Dude just register and take a look. They have stickies for just about everything leather related with pictures for most of it.

You will get about 200 different answers for thread size/type/style/color/...... its one of those things like motor oil I guess. Personally I use natural barbours linen on my leather work when hand stitching. I use nylon on my machine and when doing things to match what I stitched with the machine I will use nylon. The needle needs to match the the thread size. Your awl needs to match your needle size. For stingray I use anything from 207 to 277 if I was using my machine. For hand I generally use 3 cord up to 6 cord for depending what it is.

For a wallet you usually wanna keep it light and thin. I dont do many wallets but personally I would probably drill holes and lace around the edge because the next question you will probably have is how to finish the edges. That is one I cant help with as I just use stingray for inlays. Other then that I would probably use 4 or 5 cord for the edges and thinner for the internals. Are you making the inside or using a liner kit. Making the internals is usually the harder part getting it all to work out properly.

I would highly recommend looking at Kevins tutorials on that forum, he has some great ones for wallet interiors and exteriors.
 
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