Stitching pony.... very useful, did you set the jaws so they were chest height when sitting? Cover the jaws with leather. Strop your awl, the strop it more... when hou think it's perfectly polished, strop it again. I have a vise I set my stitching pony in. If you need advise feel free to ask here or pm me. Harbor freight usually has a set of leather working tools like a v groover, and adnustable stitching groover.