Recommended Tools

People often ask me which leather tools I recommend that they buy if they would like to get into leather work themselves. This page contains links to some recommended tools and books which you can find mentioned throughout my videos.

Books

Still a great way to learn

Here are some great books if you’re starting out, the Valerie Michael one is excellent and the Stohlman ones are also very useful:

The Leather Working Handbook
The Leather Working Handbook
The Art of hand Sewing Leather
The Art of hand Sewing Leather
Leathercraft Tools
Leathercraft Tools
The Art of Making Leather Cases
The Art of Making Leather Cases
Leather Braiding
Leather Braiding

Top 25 Tools Video

Things to get you started

I have created a video outlining the items that I find most useful when starting out and below you can find the list of those tools. If you’ve found this video and list useful why not buy some of my patterns to make with your new tools!

This list is for beginners so I don’t think you need to spend more, however I have included cheaper alternatives for some tools in case you’re trying to spend less. The recommended tools are all what I class to be acceptable quality, if you want to save money and buy cheaper tools you might end up buying better ones later on.

Remember this is not everything you need to start leatherwork as it is a list of tools only. No consumables such as leather, dyes, finishes, glue, thread, hardware etc. are included.

item model link alternative link
1 cutting mat A2/A3 self healing uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
   
2 thread snippers any uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
   
3 diamond awls Kyoshin Elle S/M japanese flag S japanese flag M    
4 pricking irons Seiwa 3mm/4mm japanese flag 2t x 3mm
japanese flag 6t x 3mm
japanese flag 2t x 4mm
japanese flag 6t x 4mm
   
5 wing dividers any uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
   
6 turbo lighter Turboflame Ranger or similar uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
   
7 parallel pliers any uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
   
8 cobbler’s hammer Osborne 66 uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
vintage from eBay  
9 thread melter Beadsmith Thread Zap II uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
   
10 bone folder EK Success uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
   
11 v-gouge Tandy 8082-00 or similar uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
   
12 skiving tool Tandy 3001-00 or similar tandy Tandy    
13 roughing tool Tandy 83005-00 tandy Tandy scratch awl or sandpaper  
14 edge bevelers Craft Sha Deluxe #1/#3 japanese flag #1
japanese flag #3
Tandy 8076-xx tandy Tandy
15 maul Weaver Leather 24oz/1.5lb/750g Master Maul uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
nylon dead blow hammer (Thorace 1414 2lb/900g) uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
16 groover/creaser Kyoshin Elle Pro Set japanese flag set Tandy 88081-00 tandy Tandy
17 strip and strap maker Tandy 3080-00 or similar uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
   
18 Black River Laser templates handy gauge/strap end set gone out of business :(    
19 edge slicker Pro Edge Burnishers hand slicker buy Tandy 8121-00 or equivalent uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
20 hole punches Tandy drive punches 3777-xx tandy Tandy Tandy mini set 3003-00
Tandy maxi set 3004-00
tandy Tandy
tandy Tandy
21 scratch awl Tandy 3217-00 tandy Tandy    
22 heavy knives Stanley knife e.g. Dynagrip uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
   
blades uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
   
Clickers knife Tandy 3595-00 tandy Tandy    
23 light knives Rotary Cutter e.g. DAFA 60mm uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
   
blades uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
   
Scalpel e.g. Swann Morton #3/Xacto uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
   
blades uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
   
24 rulers 30cm/6"/1m steel rules uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
   
25 poly board Tandy 3464-01 tandy Tandy kitchen chopping board from the supermarket  
26 stitching pony (not in vid) Tandy 3132-00 or equivalent uk flag Amazon (UK)
us flag Amazon (USA)
   

Please Note

  • Links and prices are correct as of November 2020, this page will only be checked periodically for updates so may become out of date
  • I am not associated with any of the listed companies, the recommended items are there because I use them (or similar) and they work for me
  • All the Amazon links are affiliate links meaning I earn a small commission if you buy items through them, this helps me out and doesn’t cost you a penny extra

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