Top 25 Recommended Leatherwork Tools
Top 25 Recommended Leatherwork Tools
► Buy my patterns and leather goods here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LeodisLeather
► For more information see: http://ianatkinson.net/leather/videos.htm
In this video I have compiled a list of 25 leather work tools and sets which I think make up a great collection to start leather working with.
These are all tools which I personally use almost every day and have arrived at often after trying and discarding other items. This isn’t all I use but it’s the core of the workshop and with what’s shown here you can accomplish a wide variety of leather projects.
My hope is that if you want to start leatherwork and you’re a bit lost with what you need to buy and the choices on offer, this is a great place to start. You can buy some or all of the items here or use it as a basis for creating your own shopping list.
To accompany this video you can view this web page which contains descriptions, links and prices for all the goods shown:
http://www.ianatkinson.net/leather/toolset.htm
I forgot to include the stitching pony in the video (there was bound to be something) but I have added that to the website.
●▬▬▬▬▬INDEX▬▬▬▬▬▬●
00:00 Intro
04:59 cutting mat
05:56 thread snippers
06:23 diamond awls
07:31 pricking irons
08:32 wing dividers
09:19 turbo lighter
10:04 parallel pliers
10:49 cobbler’s hammer
11:29 thread burner
12:36 bone folder
13:10 v-gouge
13:55 skiving tool
14:57 roughing tool
16:02 edge bevelers
17:24 maul
18:38 groover/creaser
19:53 strap cutter
21:38 strap templates
23:27 edge slicker
24:36 hole punches
26:24 scratch awl
26:55 heavy knives
29:34 light knives
32:51 rulers
34:45 poly board
36:05 eBay
42:55 Tandy starter kits
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Honest opinion and informative content. Very much appreciated. Cheers from Mauritius!
In 2009 I bought two toolboxes full of leatherworking tools, at an estate auction. Just yesterday, 11/24/2021, I pulled them out of my dry storage shop. There are 197 different punches, thirty different wooden handle tools, 12 hole punches, needles, plus many many more tools like I see in your video. This is going to be a LOT of fun ! Thank You
Awesome. Thank u. I’m starting so I don’t have any tools yet, n not sure so thank u for all your advice n the time u spent to explain. GOD BLESS YOU.. 🙌
where i can buy roughing tool?
What the name of this kit to buy
Ian, I know this video is old but I am wondering what the site you referred to for the templates. I would like to order some of the templates for the strap tips etc.
I did purchase one of the "kits" from ebay or amazon (can’t remember). The best thing it provided was a lesson in what I DON’T need and how quickly cheap tools (particularly anything that cuts) dull and break. Don’t waste your money… good advice, Ian!
Thank you!
Those cheap eBay/Amazon tool kits are terribly cheap and will break the very first time you use them. You get what you pay for I guess.
I found this video very interesting! Thank you
You have a store online preference, that you recommend?
Excelent, I’m a viginner I follow you program of Leather for people are learning, thank you 👍🏻. I need to pot in names of the tools, to take notes 📝 on my note book 📖 thanks again 👍🏻
Hello mate, what UK website do you use to get these tools. Such as the Japanese bevelers and other tools like the awls punches etc ? Cheers
thank you, I am going to buy the tools for my boyfriend, I think he is going to love leatherwork!
Great tutorial thanks
Awesome video.
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Here’s a big new video for you, this one is designed for beginners as I often get people asking me what they should buy in terms of tools so I’ve created a video and website about tools that I recommend to get started. People can use whichever bits are useful and if you already have stuff it may help if you’re wondering what I use! This has taken a long time to make so I hope it’s useful, details in the description as usual. Ian.
Very good!! Thank you
Really good video and much appreciated. Thx Mate
Thank you for creating the index.
Great vid. Thorough introduction to the most important tools. I bought a cheapie eBay set for a one-two-off project. Some items were adequate quality (stamps, punches). Anything to do with cutting was dicey, since the steel is low quality and they really aren’t sharp. Thankfully my hobby is knives so I know how to get a good edge fast. Should I decide to keep on with this I will replace the lower quality items with higher quality.
Thank you, thank you!
For US folks, Harbor Freight has nice Orange dead blow hammers with several weights to choose from. I think mine was under $10 and I can buy several of these for much cheaper than good mauls
Hi Ian, can this list be purchased as a kit or is it best to buy them individually, I was going to buy an ebay kit but not sure what to do for the best.
This was awesome, thank you💥
Great video thanks
.. Great vid, Ian ,..
Hi Ian, great video! I think I’m going to start making some leather work, and this is invaluable.
I notice you haven’t got a stitching horse or clamp on here. Do you ever use one? I haven’t got a vice of any sort, so I’m wondering if I need to get one, or a stitching horse?
Awesome video! Very interesting on what to buy and not! Glad I found this! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts;) Very well thought out I was getting ready to buy a kit but have since decided buy individually!
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a 46min video about tools? yea, this is goin to be good.
Thank you for the video. It was very helpful.
Thanks from Canada 🇨🇦
Nice vid! One thing I’d say for a scalpel/xacto is maybe to wear goggles/safety glasses because wear the blade clips in is a large hole which is a weak spot in the metal and I have had them snap in half before. Just something to watch out for!
thanks for the sharing, it’s soooooo nice to watch your feeds before starting leather craft,
Awesome video, thank you!
I found this very helpful. It had just enough detail to answer my questions as a beginner. Thank you
Hey there, i was wondering what youd recommend for edge bevellers as the link doesnt work anymore , thanks for the great video
Thank you for all the effort you have put into this video fella.!! Extremely informative and very clearly explained. Well done and thank you again 🙂
Amazing video! Thank you
Hola soy de peru como puedo comprar las herramientas
thanks man for your time and recommendation, big ups
I will absolutely improve my english to help me get all that information !! This is sooo interesting, leather is a passion for a few years. But there are a lot of techniques to learn!! Thanks 🙂
Your videos are the best, Ian!
Thanks for taking the time and also for your specifically beginner perspective recommendations.
I have just had the good fortune of coming across your channel. A great informative video 👌♠️🙏 you have my sub
I just spent all my beer money for the month and got everything I needed for leathercraft…..so anyone got an extra beer, Eh!
Thank you!
Thank you.
awesome