Leather craft tools

[redneck1]

Say a person wanted to get into basic leather crafting and maybe make a belt to hold up his britches and possibly a holster or two
And lets say that fellow wasn't looking to do any fancy details.
Just basic finished work with some stitching .
This fellow also needs to keep the budget as slim as possible , but doesn't want crap tools So he would rather work with less tools then try to make junk work .

What would that fellow need

[monadnock#5]

Start out with The Art of Leather Sewing by Al Stohlman. It'll be informative on tools and processes, and is an easy read.

[Winger Ed.]

Check out the Tandy Co. they're sort of the 900 pound gorilla for leather stuff and crafts with it.

[Kev18]

Honestly, I've been doing leather stuff for quite sometime and buy my stuff at Tandy. But recently for fun I ordered off of Amazon a leather beginner kit... Litteraly has everything. A bunch of thread, a tool to cut grooves, awl, needles, Everything. I paid it less then 20$. Honestly probably one of my best buys and I have all the expensove gadgets, and this is more worth it for a weekend leather worker. I just made a holster for my 1858 rem for fun. And I used the tools... Works just fine. I'm not saying id make an entire saddle with this stuff but for me it's just enough. I really recommend it.

[MrWolf]

I am in the same boat. I watched another YouTube video this morning. I would watch a bunch from different folks and see how others do things and go from there. Might be surprised how much stuff you already have. Good luck.

[Wayne Smith]

What hobbies do you already have? What tools? For instance I do woodwork and made myself a sewing horse with some of my scrap wood. Your thread of choice, two solid needles, a way to locate your holes, a way to punch the holes, and some way (e.g. sewing horse) to hold the work while you work the two needles and you are doing a saddle stitch. I could make an awl to punch holes and bought a couple different ways to locate holes.

[C.F.Plinker]

Another good book which has a different approach to sewing than Stohlman is Recreating the 18th Century Hunting Pouch by T.C. Albert. This book also has several patterns for different pouches in the back of the book. The biggest difference is where Stohlman utilizes a stitching horse or stitching pony to hold the work you are sewing where Albert's book has you using a lap board for making your holes.

A different source of information are the videos by Nigel Armitage. If you go over to Leatherworker.net you should be able to find some links to his videos on their Sewing sub-forum.

[sniper]

Honestly, I've been doing leather stuff for quite sometime and buy my stuff at Tandy. But recently for fun I ordered off of Amazon a leather beginner kit... Litteraly has everything. A bunch of thread, a tool to cut grooves, awl, needles, Everything. I paid it less then 20$. Honestly probably one of my best buys and I have all the expensove gadgets, and this is more worth it for a weekend leather worker. I just made a holster for my 1858 rem for fun. And I used the tools... Works just fine. I'm not saying id make an entire saddle with this stuff but for me it's just enough. I really recommend it.

VERY good advice! If you are a Veteran, Tandy has a discount program that matches their sale prices every day. However, DON'T keep your tools all together in a dark place...they multiply like rabbits! That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!:mrgreen:

[redneck1]

Kev18
Do you maybe have a link to the kit you bought ( or one similar )

I really don't need more then the very basics , I get the cast off my leg in two weeks And then it'll be anywhere from 10-21 days before I'm allowed back to work .
So I'm just looking for something to keep the hands busy And maybe have some fun while making something useful .

[bmortell]

I just ordered the amazon kit and watched a few youtube videos to learn while it got here. besides the kit I had to order a few things, like dye, neatsfoot oil, sno seal which is pretty much beeswax, leather of course, contact cement, maybe something else I cant remember. I found it fun and easy to learn, your results are just based on how well you design and take your time making it. i made holsters and sheaths not belts but i think the hardest part was establishing an order of operations.

id watch this video --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke7QKV3QzxY&list=WL&index=7&t=0s
and look at this --> http://beebeknives.com/html/make_a_sheath_tutorial.html

make a list of every step. then adapt the list for what your project needs, its most of the same steps no matter what your making. id recommend getting stamps too because its really very little work and looks far better than plain. even just a border stamp looks great

[bmortell]

I got the 35 dollar kit that comes with stamps. the cheaper ones seem fine but I feel id want/need the hammer in multi pronged hole puncher and the round corner bevel cutter and line drawing attachment for the groover that come in the 35 one. those make it much easier to get a good product because it basically makes the "lines" of the final product and how good it looks is very dependant on how even those look.

but I managed to make this as a rookie with the amazon kit and learning by the info I linked255063

[Kev18]

Here's the link. If this isnt worth it... I dont know what is. It comes in a little cardboard box.
https://www.amazon.com/Electop-Leather-Stitching-Groover-Thimble/dp/B07998XNQK/ref=sxin_3_ac_d_pm?ac_md=2-0-VW5kZXIgJDI1-ac_d_pm&crid=2N8K72LG5RA1H&cv_ct_cx=leather+tools&keywords=leather+tools&pd_rd_i=B07998XNQK&pd_rd_r=41711180-9ce6-472a-b080-f9de4abfead3&pd_rd_w=fZslM&pd_rd_wg=XuoyC&pf_rd_p=b8b03b37-bd30-4468-adff-11c42ccb6582&pf_rd_r=1DCBYDXP0J3DFVVJG9E1&psc=1&qid=1579464661&sprefix=leather+t%2Caps%2C148

[brewer12345]

Start with a belt. Buy a belt blank to get started simply. You will need a hole punch, needles, waxed thread, some dye (antiques are pretty and forgiving), a finish (resolene is good), a buckle (you may already have one you like), and stamps/hammer if you want to stamp designs in the leather. I have found I am not a visually inclined person, so I struggle with the stamping. You can also get smaller pieces of leather to make things free form, but then you will need a way to cut the leather. A groover is a really nice thing to have for stuff like belts because it keeps your holes/stitching in a neat line.

The nice thing about learning to do this stuff is you can make exactly what you want. I decided it would be really nice to have a ball bag for muzzleloading. I made teardrop shaped bags with stoppers made from a piece of shed antler attached with a short length of rawhide. Simple, a good way to hone my skills, and a really useful item at the range and in the field.

[725]

I buy my leather from Tandy. I use a needle and waxed nylon thread (sometimes synthetic sinew), glue to tack the particular work in place and a drill press to place the holes for sewing. One handy gizmo is a star wheel to imprint an even spacing for the use of the drill press. Sew along the length of your work and then double back to alternate the path of the thread. A little practice and it'll look pretty good. I usually make a pattern from newspaper, or the like, to flesh out ideas and find the stuff I didn't think about. It's really not that hard, but there is a learning curve involved. Good luck.

[samari46]

Been thinking about doing some small leather work at home to keep both the hands active as well as the brain. Gotta keep those three remaining brain cells going. Already have the speedy sticher with an assortment of thread. Maybe make a small holster for my J frame.Thanks for the tips. Frank

[redneck1]

I went ahead and ordered the $ 35 kit , what's a few extra bucks :)
I'm not exactly the artsy type but if I can get neat stitching and decent edges I'll be pretty happy .
If I can't , well that's ok to . If you don't try you'll never know .
Half as nice as bmortell's holster would suit me fine .

[Greg S]

I have almost purchased a boot stitching machine several times and for a hobby can't get over the cash outlay for a serious mahine for stitching holsters and 2x belts.

If ya want to have great hand stitching, go to Armitage Leather on Utube and view his saddle stitching vids. Also, you will need a stitching horse, Tiger thread in .8 or 1.0 and some Tandy 3.5mm stitching irons, medium needles, and a chunch of 50/50 bees wax and parafin.

Trust me, I struggled for 3 years trying to go without a stitching horse/clam and made life rough on myself. Make one yourself (plans on the interweb), buy one from tandy on sale (usually 2x per year) or someone who makes them for sale (google).

[Lionel Allen]

I have bought a couple belt blanks from Tandy. One was pre tooled, and the other a straight blank. I dyed one of the blanks, and when I thought I didn't like the colour I washed the blank in my washing machine. Well, the colour came out, but so did the starch that made the blank so nice and stiff in the first place. So now I have a nice soft belt for working around the farm, and a nice stiff belt for work.
That being said, I will buy more blanks as needed, and I buy a fair bit when I stop off at the store.

[Bazoo]

You don't need a special knife for cutting or awl for the holes. All you need is a razor knife, a drill and 1/16 twist bit, some artificial sinew and 2 needles. You don't need a stitching pony, or a stitch wheel for spacing, or a groover. All you really need is the desire and a little bit of patience.

Here is a holster I made with nothing but my knife and drill for the holes. I glued it with tacky glue from the hobby lobby or walmart. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?381179-Blackhawk-Holster-I-made

[.429&H110]

My Marlin 450 was getting muddy on my wheeler so I wanted a sheath. $$$$
Got some saddle leather from Tandy, and folded it over and double saddle stitched it.
Discovered a dremel with a burr bit would go through two layers of that thick stuff as fast as it would punch my fingers. Mark it with a star wheel, sew it up, and drown it in neatsfoot. Made a cap for the big end, sewed on straps to lash to the wheeler.
Mud rinses right off. Never did figure out pictures, here. Leather is fun.

[Bazoo]

I'd like to see that 429, sounds pretty neat.

[Kev18]

Nothing art gallery worthy, but all hand made, no machines... Just a guy having a good time making leather goods. Im not a pro... Im a 22 year old that likes to make my own stuff with the bare minimum. Sometimes funds aren't present. You dont need a great deal to make something nice.

Ask if you have a question. I probably made some of everything... :Cartridge belt, ammo/tool pouch, backpack cover/flap, sheaths, tang sight bag/cover I made yesterday, belt, holster, funny little squirrel pouch, slings, rifle sock/scabbard with caribou leather.
Just took this picture:
https://i.imgur.com/KwsjbfA.jpg

You can see the rifle cover here with beaver mittens that my dad made over a decade ago. Bought the hat. I like rough looking stuff, so thats how I make it.
https://i.imgur.com/SYeYRHv.png

[MrWolf]

Picture didnt work. Please try again.

[nun2kute]

That's wat I need ... ANOTHER Hobby !

[Kev18]

Picture didnt work. Please try again.

You can't see the pictures?

[MrWolf]

I can now. Thanks. Probably an issue with my internet. Those look good.

[Kev18]

I can now. Thanks. Probably an issue with my internet. Those look good.

Thanks, im not a pro.

[SSGOldfart]

That's wat I need ... ANOTHER Hobby !

Yep me too, but it does look really nicely done

[Springfield]

Well, I do this for a living, sort of, so that I can remain a stay at home dad. I have a stitching pony but never use it, and I feel a sewing machine is way overkill for belts and holsters, so I hand sew everything. I like to use a small round knife/head knife for cutting, but a sharp razor knife will work also, just keep changing the blades. A real awl, a stitching wheel, a groover, and a decent skiver is all you need, plus a couple of sewing needles and thread. I like waxed polyester thread as it won't rot out like cotton thread. If your hands won't handle the sewing awl then use a drill press to do the holes. And the skiver can be replaced with a Dremel tool to get a nice matching edge on the holsters. Use a rag or scrap sheepskin to dye it and one of the wax finishes and you are done. If you want it tooled than just get a few basic stamps from Tandy/Leather factory. If you buy a belt blank then you won't even need the hole punches. It isn't rocket science, you just need to start with a quality piece of leather and take your time.

[Dimner]

While this set from amazon looks tempting, I can say via experience that many of those tools are not worth it. I purchased a similar kit, with about half the tools, and I was upgrading very quickly.

I found through that experience that the two tools that you want to spend reasonable money on is your awl, and your stitch groover/ leather beveler. Having a quality tool for each of these is really worth your money. We are not talking about alot of money. $20 on the awl or somewhere like that is what I paid. I have a triangle (i think) or three sided C.S. Osborne awl. When I upgraded to that awl, I actually laughed because of how easy it worked. Mind you I was working with leather for sheathes, so it was thick (7 to 8 thickness).

I did have luck with cheaper versions of the stitching chisels. I can keep them honed with the tools I have and they work very well.

[redneck1]

Got the tools , happy enough for what they cost .
Still waiting on some leather to show up , soon hopefully .
Have enough coming to do two belts and two holsters just in case I make a mistake .