Essential Leatherworking Tools: A Comprehensive Guide to What Your Leather Goods Making Toolkit Should Include

A leather goods making tool kit typically contains a variety of specialized tools that are used for different stages of the leatherworking process. The specific tools included may vary depending on the type of leather goods being made and the personal preferences of the artisan, but some common tools that are often found in a leatherworking toolkit include:

1. Cutting tools: These can include a utility knife, a rotary cutter, or a pair of scissors for cutting leather into the desired shapes and sizes.

2. Stitching tools: These can include a variety of needles, waxed thread, and a stitching awl or punch for creating holes in the leather for sewing.

3. Edging tools: These can include an edge beveler for rounding the edges of the leather and a slicker or burnishing tool for smoothing and polishing the edges.

4. Hole punch: A hole punch can be used to make holes in the leather for lacing or other types of fasteners.

5. Rivet setter: A rivet setter is used to set metal rivets for securing pieces of leather together.

6. Skiving knife: A skiving knife is used to thin down the thickness of the leather at specific points.

7. Mallet or hammer: These are used to strike the tools that are used for cutting, punching, or setting.

8. Leather conditioner: A leather conditioner is used to keep the leather supple and prevent it from drying out.

9. Leather dye or paint: These are used to color or decorate the leather.

10. Ruler and measuring tape: These are used to measure and mark the leather for cutting and stitching.

11. Leather glue: A leather glue is used to attach different pieces of leather together.

12. Creasing tools: Creasing tools are used to make a line on the leather to fold it precisely.

Overall, a leather goods making tool kit includes all the necessary tools to cut, shape, stitch, and decorate the leather pieces to create a finished product.