The overwhelming selection and variety of leather craft tools available on the market can be hard to navigate. This is especially true for people that are new to the trade. We can all spend a lot of money buying tools that we might not find a use for often enough to justify the expense.
We get questions asking for guidance on getting a good core set of leather craft tools that will allow someone new to the craft the ability to complete projects effectively. When I started leather craft many years ago, there were many quality publications available that talked about tools and supplies for leather work. There were also “leather craft kits” on the market that came with a collection of leather craft tools to get a new craftsman started. These kits are still available today in many sizes and budgets. I do feel that these are a great resource for anyone starting out.
Many of us in the industry started out with one of these kits. The only problem with these at times is that you may find that a few or many of the items in the kit might not be something that you will use much. I still have many of the tools from my very first leather craft kit in my program within the shop today. But unfortunately, there are a number of tools that were in the box that I never found a use for.
I decided to put together what I believe is a solid core list of leather craft tools for anyone wanting to get into leather work.
Our hope is that with this blog post and the accompanying video, you will have a better handle on the tools that I believe are essential and why. This information will help to make a better determination on what tools that you may or may not need based on the leather craft projects you plan on creating.
I have tried to supply a source link for as many tools as I can in this list to maybe help you find these or something similar. Some of these tools may include our Amazon Affiliate links if that is a good place to find them. Many of these tools you can purchase from your favorite leather craft supply business of choice. Where you get the tools isn’t near as important as “Does the tool do its job and work for you?“… that’s the most important part.
I hope you find this video and list of leather craft tools helpful in your leather working goals. Let’s get started.
Below is our list of Essential Leather Craft Tools that anyone doing leather work should have in their tool box.
I have attempted to break this list up based on different leather working tasks. There are also links within this list for some suggestions as to where to find them.
Cutting Tools
- C.S. Osbourne Sharp Point Trim Knife – Maker’s Leather Supply has these
- Xacto knife – large barrel – I order these from Amazon
- Safety Skiver – Maker’s Leather Supply and Springfield Leather have these… Maker’s also sells the blades … here is a link to a video, “Leather Safety Skiver Tool Tip,” we did on adjusting this knife to make it work better for you.
- Leather Sheers – Maker’s Leather Supply and other leather supply companies will sell a version of these
Measuring and Marking Tools
- C.S. Osbourne Spike Awl – Weaver Leather Supply sells some of these as well as Amazon. I can’t seem to find the exact one I have in that size but there are other sizes that will work.
- Tape Measure – small size… 12′ or 16′ – any hardware store will have these
- Square – Any hardware store will have this
- Straight Edge – Maker’s Leather Supply makes the one I have in the video… but any straight edge will work
- Wing Dividers – Springfield has the 8″ pair in the video… Maker’s Leather Supply has a couple versions as well as a cheaper version that I have as well that are good
- Pencils – I really like the Ticonderoga brand of pencils and you can find them many places but here is where I get them on Amazon.
Punching Holes
- Drive Punches size #2, #4, #8, #10 – Maker’s Leather Supply (these are a higher end CS Osbourne punch) and Springfield Leather have many different sizes and styles of drive punches. I have also used the super cheap ones from Harbor Freight in the past… you have to sharpen and buff them off, but they will work if that’s all you can get ahold of. This video, “Hole Punches You Need for Leather Work,” we talk about hole punch options.
- Actual size of holes these make: #2 – 1/8″, #4 – 5/32″, #8 – 1/4″, #10 – 5/16″
Leather Edge Preparation and Slicking
- Rub Stick – Leather Supply companies sell variations of these, but they are also really easy to make your own from scrap wood in any shape that you need and then sand to a smooth finish.
- Slicking Rag – Any heavy canvas or denim cut to size will work for this. Canvas can be purchased at fabric stores like Hobby Lobby.
- Can/Container for water as well is a dauber or sponge – I prefer a small tomato sauce can but any little container will work.
- Here is a blog post we did on my process for slicking edges, “Slicking Leather Edges.“
- Edgers – size #2 and size #4 – Maker’s Leather Supply sells the Ron’s edgers like I have (these are higher end tools)… Springfield Leather sells many different types of edgers including the CS Osbourne edgers from the video (called Western Edgers)… Barry King makes some really nice higher end edgers as well. “What is the Best Edger Size for your Leather Work,” is a video we did on edger selection.
- Sanding Blocks
Hand Stitching Tools
- Stitch Groover – for the cheaper craftool version visit Tandy Leather – for the higher end wing divider style visit Jeremiah Watt Tools
- Overstitch Wheel – looks like they don’t made one like mine anymore… Tandy Leather sells one with multiple wheels for different stitch lengths
- Stitching Awl – for the CS Osbourne haft, Springfield Leather has them as well as blades, this blade is my best guess as to a decent one, but you may get a few different ones and see what you like. There are many options for blades depending on your goals. Barry King has the bigger haft as well as his own blades.
- “Hand Stitching Leather with an Awl and Two Needles” is a video we created to help with traditional hand sewing.
Hammers
- Ball Pien Hammer – Smaller head size – you can find one of these at your local hardware story easlily.
- Forming hammer – some type of flat faced smooth hammer or French Hammer – Makers Leather Supply, Springfield Leather, and Jeremiah Watt Tools has many hammers to choose from.
- Maul or Mallet – preferably larger and weighted, I prefer a 24 oz maul for setting rivets and punching holes, but as heavy as 4lbs is helpful with heavy end punching and large bag slots… Springfield Leather, Barry King and Maker’s Leather Supply have them as well as many other companies.
- “Leather Craft Hammers” is an older video we did explaining different shop hammers.
Cutting Surface and Fastener Setting
- Rubber mat – any type of dense rubber will work for this.
- Cutting Board – wood or plastic… you can these at Walmart and other places… Hobby lobby also has self healing cutting mats
- Small Metal Anvil – scrap steel, aluminum, railroad iron, or a mini anvil
- Rivet Setter – for copper rivets… Maker’s Leather Supply (they carry two types) and other supply companies have these available
- Hoof Nippers or Side Cutters – for cutting excess off copper rivets… an old set from a farrier work well but hardware stores carry good side cutters as well.
A Few Extras
- Side Cutters
- Needle Nose Pliers
- Cigarette Lighter
- All three of these items can be purchased at Walmart or any hardware store.
Everyone has their own way of organizing their leatherwork tools in their shops. In my shop, I have always worn a tool belt. My tool belt is where I keep my most used tools so that they are always close at hand.
Leathercraft can be intimidating to the uninitiated. The tools for the beginner can be hard to decide upon and even more difficult to find. Since leatherwork is not a common trade skill, many of these tools can not be purchased from local hardware stores.