The 438 LR needle has a right cutting point (45°) for working leather, synthetic leather and other coated materials – never for woven fabric, since the cutting action would sever the weave threads. It is used in industrial sewing machines for leather and synthetic-leather work, where the cutting point produces a clean puncture. Suitable machine classes are found, among others, at Pfaff (classes 118, 238, 417, 418), Juki (classes LK, LZ, LK - 1900 ASS, LZ - 1285 ALL CLASSES) and Dürkopp Adler (classes 265, 540, 556, 577).
Thinner needle sizes are used, among others, for thinner to medium-weight leather, and the thicker versions for very thick, firm leather and multi-layer leather joins. As sewing thread, a bonded polyester or nylon thread such as Amann Saba or Coats Dabond is usually recommended, in a thickness matching the needle size chosen. A cutting point is required here to create clean puncture channels in firm materials.
