Leather Working Tools
There is a wide array of tools that leathercrafters use on a regular basis. A quick internet search will turn up a plethora of lists and videos on YouTube filled with an overwhelming amount of information and suggestions. Certain tools are common among every leathercrafter, none more so than a sharp cutting tool.
Next is the “Awl”. It is a leatherworker’s best friend, and serves a variety of uses in the shop, including punching holes in the leather for stitching.
There is a long list of tools leatherworkers employ while crafting leather. Let’s look at some of the more common tools:
Cutting Tools
Crafting Knife, Utility Knife, Box Cutter, Rotary Cutter, Round Knife, Scalpel, etc.
There is a very long list of blades and knives that could be listed here. Some are more common and more versatile than others but they all serve the same function. The main concern is that your cutting implement has an extremely sharp edge.
Strap Cutter
Cuts narrow lengths of leather from a wider piece of hide.
Lace Cutter
Used for cutting wider strips of leather into thin ¼ -⅛ inch (6.35 – 3.175mm) wide lengths of leather lace.
Skiver
To skive leather is to reduce its overall thickness.
End Nippers
For cutting brass/copper rivet posts.
Edge Beveler
Removes the top and bottom corners from the edge so that the slicking tool does not mushroom out the leather during the burnishing process.
Marking Tools
Awl
For making holes.
Compass/Wing Divider
For marking stitching lines, hardware installation or decorative areas for tooling.
Rulers/Straight Edges
Aids in marking the leather for holes, hardware and tooling.
Swivel Knife
This one serves a couple of uses. It is more of a marking tool than a cutter though. It only cuts into the top grain layers of the leather to allow for “tooling or “stamping”.
Pricking Iron
Available online, they can typically be purchased with 1-12 individual prongs that mark the location where an awl is used to punch all the way through the leather.
Groover
Utilizing a guide, the groover removes a thin line of leather from the very top layer of the leather marking a line for punching through the stitching holes.
Creaser
A decorative tool that just adds something special to a leather project, The creaser is used to leave a thin, permanent groove line along the outer edge of a finished piece of leather.
Striking Tools
Mallets, Mauls
Made with a rawhide, nylon/plastic, polymer head so that striking punch, setter, and stamp handles does not damage the tools.
Hammers
Steel and brass hammers are used for various other tasks such as setting brass/copper rivets. Never strike a tool handle with a hammer.
Punches
Hole Punches
Creates round or oblong holes for tasks such as mounting hardware while making things like belts, straps and more.
Strap-end Punches
Rounded and Pointed end punches will be used for nearly every strap/belt that is made.
Chisel Punch
For punching stitching holes.
Sewing/Stitching
Stitching Needles
There are a large variety of needle sizes and types. Each of them has a use and Leatherworkers will acquire a variety of stitching needles over time.
Waxed Thread
Thicker than standard thread, it is more durable against the abrasive leather fibers.
Burnishing
Slicker
Originally made of bone or wood, a slicker is used to burnish the edges of a leather strap or the sides of a leather panel.
Glass Slicker
Used for burnishing the fiber side of leather straps and panels.
Canvas Cloth
Running canvas cloth along the edge of leather acts like a very fine sandpaper and helps in the burnishing process to create a smooth edge.
Sandpaper
An important step to the burnishing process. Making sure multiple layers are flush before burnishing the edges.
Leather Working Kits
There are several ways to be introduced to working with leather for the very first time. The easiest of them might be to purchase a “Beginner’s Tool Kit” or a “Beginner’s Project Kit”, both available now at nearly every leather supply store. The tool kits contain a basic set of leatherworking tools that can be used to craft basic leather goods.