The tools I simply could not do without

S

Spyder59

Joined
Dec 26, 2014
Messages
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I'm going to be starting leather crafting. I'm going to be primarily making knife sheaths and biker wallets. I'm gonna get some stuff that I need to start this hobby for Christmas. I'm confident I can do just about anything I need to do with the tools I have at home. I've got a mallet, Dremel, straight edge, screw driver, scribe and a utility razor. But we all know that the right tools make a job easier. So I don't have to spend too much money for equipment starting out, I'm asking the experienced leather workers what tool(s) can you just simply not do without for your leather craft projects? What are the absolute minimum essential tools should I additionally obtain to start my new hobby.
 
dremel makes one of those little drill press accessories that makes your stitching holes so much easier to keep straight, and its pretty inexpensive as well.

Two other things I use daily are my little lacing chisel to mark my stitch spacing (Al Stolhman in his how to sew leather book, makes seeing those little marks so much easier) And a stitching groover, it helps mark a straight to the edge line and gives your thread a nice channel to sit in.

Slowly collecting the 'most needed" tools does cause an accessory sickness. Its addictive. :)
 
Probably a good #2 or #3 edger. I use a roundknife for almost all leather cutting, to me its indispesable and the only tool I never put away. But utility knives work great for other guys. Just what a guy gets use to I guess. Forgot to mention I read about a guy using his band saw to cut out sheaths over on the knife making side. Thats interesting.
 
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One of the tools that I found most useful is this forum. The guys that post here are so helpful and willing to help others. I started out learning here and my leather craftsmanship has really improved,( at least to me).
Thanks to all, John S.
 
Thanks guys. I know for sure I need the lacing chisel. I was pretty sure I'd need an edger. I am just not sure what size. I figured I could make a stitch groove with a screw driver and my metal ruler, but I know I eventually want to get a stitching groover.
Any suggestions for purchasing leather as economically as possible. I can't wait to start my first project. It will be a scout carry fixed blade sheath more than likely.
 
A cheap geometry set from wal-mart will never go astray for designing your patterns. A ruler and utility knife. I use my
Punch set quite often , it's for setting line 20 snaps ,24 snaps , rivets , etc. A "V" gouge might be useful if you're making folding sheaths. I buy a lot of craftsman oak leather from Tandy. It's cheap but great for learning. A double shoulder runs me around 80$ On the sale I just got with a gold membership and that's roughly 16 square feet to 18. Tandy always has sales.I registered to their news feed and just got another sliver for 5$ and a craftsman pro tooling set for 60$ regular 170$.
 
I forgot to mention a cobler hammer or mallet is an essential tool. You can purchase cheap ones at a hardware store
 
For a slab of granite for using in tooling, don't go buy one at the stores - go to your local granite counter top folks. They always have chunks that they cut out of bigger pieces for sink openings and pieces that break off big slabs. I went to one and they let me load up every thing from the junk pile I could fit in my Prius. No charge because they have to pay to have the junk hauled off by weight. I trimmed a couple of pieces square-ish on my tile saw.
 
zzyzzogeton said:
For a slab of granite for using in tooling, don't go buy one at the stores - go to your local granite counter top folks. They always have chunks that they cut out of bigger pieces for sink openings and pieces that break off big slabs. I went to one and they let me load up every thing from the junk pile I could fit in my Prius. No charge because they have to pay to have the junk hauled off by weight. I trimmed a couple of pieces square-ish on my tile saw.
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Good tip.
 
or a tombstone maker. that's where i got mine.
i also second the beveler... you can substitute many other tools (though they are highly recommended too) like awls, round knives etc with other tools. but a beveler will be hard to replace and also gives your leatherwork an easy upgrade.
 
zzyzzogeton said:
For a slab of granite for using in tooling, don't go buy one at the stores - go to your local granite counter top folks. They always have chunks that they cut out of bigger pieces for sink openings and pieces that break off big slabs. I went to one and they let me load up every thing from the junk pile I could fit in my Prius. No charge because they have to pay to have the junk hauled off by weight. I trimmed a couple of pieces square-ish on my tile saw.
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you lucky bugger , We don't have any granite or quartz in our town. Nearest is 700 km one way or 1500km the other way
 
Horsewright said:
Probably a good #2 or #3 edger. I use a roundknife for almost all leather cutting, to me its indispesable and the only tool I never put away. But utility knives work great for other guys. Just what a guy gets use to I guess. Forgot to mention I read about a guy using his band saw to cut out sheaths over on the knife making side. Thats interesting.
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The shop I used to work in used a band saw to cut patterns out. Not as efficient as a clicker but definitely less waste than trying to cut them out by hand with a pair of heavy scissors..
 
My first project. It was precut, but I did all the stamp, die, and sew. Gives me an idea on how to start my own project, and some other tools I want to get. Thanks for all the advice. It has really helped.
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Above and beyond what everyone else here has already said, the one item I use just about every time is a round corner punch. It takes your corners, and rounds them nicely. Trying g to do that freehand is a real pain! They're not the cheapest at around $30, but absolutely indispensable if you want an even professional edge
 
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