Tools Needed Basic Leathercraft Class

[tueller]

Hi Guys,

I signed up for a 4 day 2 hour each basic leathercraft class at my local Tandy Leather Factory. They recommended the following tools:

Basic Tooling Stamps (6 of them that appear to be various floral designs)
A mallet
A swivel knife
And the Leather Craft Handbook

I was hoping someone here could let me know if these tools are necessary or applicable for sheath making (what I tend to use them for). I would hate to either buy the wrong tools or waste my money on tools that are not needed for sheath making.

I have searched older threads and it sounds like maybe a round leather knife or just a plain utility razor may be better than a swivel knife. I also did not see anything about mallets or stamps being needed. I also saw on threads that I may need other tools like a stitch groover and overstitch wheel but Tandy didn't mention those.

Thank you for any input. The class maybe geared towards other leather projects and I might be better off just buying what you guys think I will actually use. Thanks again.

 

[kimsalls]

All of the items listed are for doing the decorative part of Leathercraft. You do not need any of them if you want to make plain jane sheaths.

That said: if you want to make plain jane sheaths you are probably signed up for the wrong class.

 

[quint]

Very few basic tools are needed for sheath making (plain jane sheaths), if you want to do tooled sheaths then your looking on adding a couple more stamps but thats about it.

If you look at the top of the forum look at the how to for I think its the buck knife and look at the tools he uses. Very few of them.

A good knife, some kind of boning tool which can also double as a edge burnisher (can be home made), an awl and needle for stitching, and some snaps and snap setter if you want some kind of snaps but not needed. Thats really about it. Some wax for the thread if its not prewaxed. You can use olive oil for the leather to oil it but you should probably get some kind of finish or make your own which is doable.

 

[leatherman]

Falling asleep at the computer so this will be a brief list, but I want to say a few things while I am still up.

Avoid that wood mallet, its too light, the poly mallet is much better, and a rawhide mallet is best but not necessary.

The swivel knife is a carving tool, not a cutting tool. Its for carving lines and shapes into the leather, you will learn its use in the class.

Get yourself a Stanley utility knife for cutting leather, the blades have two sides and if you have a sharpening stone you can keep it screaming sharp for a long time. Best bang for the buck out there. I have two that are over 15 years old, one is just now wearing out. The other is strong.

The basic stamp set is a good start. You will collect more in time, they're addictive.

Keep it inexpensive and simple at first, that way if you decide its not for you your not out a lot of money.

 

[Sagewood]

Yeah that list of tools is all for tooling leather. Unless you are planning on making decorative designs, I wouldnt bother with those tools.

Plain jane knife sheaths can be made with store bought tools, or re purposing other tools. Here is a list that will get you started -

1 - Stitch Groover, for gouging the stitch line along the edge of the sheath. You can also use a drawing compass to mark your line, it wont make a groove, but it will give you an even line to mark our stitch holes.
2 - Over stitch wheel, for marking evenly spaced stitch holes along your stitch line. You can also use a regular kitchen fork to even space your stitch marks. They will probably be wider than the 5,6 or 7 threads per inch(depends on which size you get) you would get with a over stitch wheel, but they will be even. For my over stitch wheel, I use 7 threads per inch.
3 - Edge Beveler, for rounding the leather edge. This tool is kind of a hard one to replicate, although I have seen people make them out of old flat head screwdrivers. I would just pick one up from Tandy. I use the #2 size, but I like more squared edges than the rounded ones. The #3 beveler works well too, and will give a more rounded edge.
4 - Utility knife, for cutting the leather.
5 - Exacto Knife, for cutting tight curves that the utility knife cannot.
6 - Straight Edge ruler. Use this whenever you need to cut a straight line. Place the knife on the edge, and cut along it to give a straight cut.
7 - Needles. Try and find "Harness" needles at Tandy. The eye is smaller, and much much more durable.
8 - Thread. Avoid cotton or natural thread, it tends to snap easily when you pull it tight. Artificial sinew is a good thread to start with.

Now for punching the holes, they are alot of options. You could use an awl and push it through, but that gets to be very difficult if you are going through 3 layers of leather. When I started I used nails with the head snipped off(use a size slightly bigger than your needle), and chucked them into a drill. Apply straight downward pressure with the drill spinning, and it will punch right through. You can also use a drill press, and that will give you straighter holes. I've also seen people use Dremels with small drill bits to make the holes.

Also, ALWAYS use a wedge in your sheath to protect the stitching. I often see people ask other beginners "Hey did you need to put a wedge in that sheath?". This is a no question, absolute must for any knife sheath. Well expect for Sami style sheaths, but thats getting pretty advanced.

I hope this all helps. I guess for closing comments would be - keep your cutting tools SHARP, and use a straight edge as often as you can.

 

[tueller]

Thanks guys. Just what I needed here. The class is free with the assumption that I will be buy some tools/ materials from them, so even if it is not exactly geared for sheath making, I am going to take it. I am glad I asked you guys because I got a much better insight as too what tools I will need to own and what I can just borrow for the class. Thanks again.