D.B. Gurney

Also Known As: Gurney

Whitman, Massachusetts, USA-based nail and tack supplier

Products

Shoe Repair & Saddlery Products Page

The ounce is a form of measurement that refers to the thickness of the leather the tack is used to clinch. Please do not confuse the size of the tack with the weight of the box. Please check the description for the length in fractions. — FAQ

The size of the head would determine if it is included in the measurement. If the tack or nail has a small head the measurement would be overall, head included. If it has a large head the measurement would begin under the head. — FAQ

Hand Shoe Tacks

often used as production lasting tacks, especially for heavier weight leather uppers

This Multi-Purpose Nail Can Be Used To Attach Plastic Heel Plates, Boot and Shoe Lasting and Sandal Straps. Sold By The Pound. — Southern Leather

Regular Hand Shoe Tacks

As of June, 2025, Sorrell Notions and Findings sells 4-ounce sample packs of 2 oz, 3oz, 4 oz, and 5 oz, listed here.

Brass Hand Shoe Tacks

Clinching Nails

Extra Iron Clinching Nails

4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 8/8

This Square Head Nail Is Used To Attach Leather Soles. — Southern Leather

Brass Clinching Nails

3/8, 3½/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 8/8

boxes labeled “Bulldog”

This Brass Nail Is Used To Attach Leather Soles. — Southern Leather

As of June, 2025, Sorrell Notions and Findings sells 4-ounce sample packs of 5/8, 7/8, and 8/8, listed here.

Wire Clinching Nails

This Multi-Purpose Nail Can Be Used To Attach Leather And Rubber Soles As Well As Heel Bases. — Southern Leather

Used to fasten uppers to insoles over lasts with heel or full bottom plates. Can also be drive into the bottoms of wooden or plastic lasts and peened over with a drift or other tool through the throat, as a finishing step.

Soling Nails

oval heads

typically cost a bit more than clinching nails of the same length

Iron Soling Nails

Brass Soling Nails

Wire Fiber Soling Nails

Iron Shoe Nails

Used for nailing on heel bases.

A headless tapered cut nail.

square at the head, tapering to rectangular at the point

As of June, 2025, Sorrell Notions and Findings sells 4-ounce sample packs of number 14 10/8s, listed here.

Heel Nails

Hand Rubber Heel Nails

Wire Rubber Heel Nails

As of June, 2025, Sorrell Notions and Findings sells 4-ounce sample packs, listed here.

Wire Wood Heel Nails

Other

Comparisons

Side by side, 7 oz “Hand Shoe Tacks” and 7/8 “Brass Bulldog Clinching Nails”, they are the same length from tip to top of head, but differ in a few ways:

Packaging

products are sold by the pound in distinctive brown cardboard boxes with stylized black wings

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