Leatherwork Tools
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Starter Kit
Hand-stitching clamp
Edge beveller
Scratch awl
Linen thread 50 gms each of black and brown
25 saddlers needles
Awl - diamond shape
Beeswax
General purpose knife
Hole punch rotary type
Wing dividers
Stitch marker rotary type
Total Price £86.00
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| General tools Hole punch rotary type £8.50 Clicking knife and blade £14.30 new or s/h £7 General purpose knife £4.95 Hide mallet from £16 Hammer Ruler Dividers 100mm £4.28 £150mm £5.40 Cutting board Edge beveller £6.30 Adhesive Paring tool £7.95 Bulldog clips Thong cutter £13 |
Hand stitching Linen thread £4.60 50g unwaxed – variety of colours Blunt saddlers needles £2 for 25 Stitch marker £7.50 rotary type Beeswax Scissors Awl £5.65 Stitching clamp £16.50 Cork block |
| Fixings Tubular rivets 7mm cap £3 per 100 9mm cap £3.75 per 100 Fixing tool £3.30 Press Studs 10mm dia £6.60 per 100 nickel or brass plate and gunmetal. Smaller quant. Avail Fixing tool £9.00 Durable dots 16mm dia £7.50 per 100 ditto Fixing tool £3.60 |
Other supplies Leather dyes £3.75 4oz Resolene £4.20 4oz.
Leatherworking Handbook by Valerie Michael £14.99 |
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About Tools
Clicking knife.
For cutting leather. Wooden handle, blades are slotted in and tightened. Blades can be sharpened. More expensive than throw away but will last a lifetime. I have some 2nd hand.
Hide mallet
Will not damage tools
Hammer
I use a hammer in conjunction with metal surface eg anvil for rivet, dot and press stud fixings. If you use the leatherworkers hammer it can be used on surface of leather for making folded edges
Dividers
To mark guidelines for stitching and spacings eg buckle holes for straps and belts.
Edge beveller
To round off the edge of thicker leather before sealing and burnishing
Adhesive
Pva, latex (copydex) or rubber contact glue. Latex is favourable as it is flexible and can be used as a contact adhesive on both surfaces to give a stronger bond. Once stitched any excess can be easily removed.
Crew punch
Makes a long hole needed to fit a buckle to strap or belt. Punches need to be used on either lead, end grain wood or hard plastic chopping board to avoid damage to cutting edge
Paring tool
To reduce thickness when joining or folding leather.
Bulldog clips
To hold leather in place during drying time for adhesive. Protect leather with scrap to avoid compression marks from jays of clips.
Linen thread
Available in different thicknesses based on stitch length and thickness of leather
Saddlers needles
Blunt end to reduce likelihood of piercing opposite needles thread
Stitch marker
Either a rotary wheel or a chisel type for use with a mallet
Awl
To make holes for stitching
Stitching clamp
Holds the item being stitched
Cork block
Place under the leather , make the holes with the awl through the leather and into the cork saving the sharp awl point. Buy decorators cork block from B&Q
Tubular rivets
Alternative to stitching for joining leather. Small and medium sizes.
Durable dots
heavyweight press studs for leather thicker than 1.5mm.
Resolene
A sealant to make untreated leather water resistant.
Leatherwork Tools
Specialist leatherwork hand tools are manufactured individually and to buy new are expensive. Unless you are setting up professionally we recommend you start with a set of budget priced tools and gradually upgrade. From our tools list you will see that the items without prices are generally available from hardware stores, the shed or the kitchen drawer. Those with prices are more specialised and available from stock. Until we have our online shop please e mail for purchase and delivery details.