Hallyth

Hi, does anyone in the UK know of any beginners leatherworking classes available? I have googled endlessly, and can only find one that runs in Gloucester. I'd ideally like to find one in the East Midlands, or as near as possible, so I can attend a regular one perhaps. Thanks in advance.

Names for favourite tools is just 'right' IMO! After all, as children we name our favourite toys and as adults our cars (mine is called Bitch!) and things, so why not a tool! Thanks for your input handstitched.....erm, hang on......handstitched has a sewing machine????? sadly my boat will NOT allow me a sewing machine onboard!

Thanks Pip, I have only really ever seen molded ones, so carved are an unknown item to me so far. Who knows, I may try my habd at both in the future. Meanwhile I just first need to get to grips with what is what, what it does, how it works, and have a first go at something simple! I have my starter kit now...busy work weekend ahead of me sadly, so I won't get chance to play for a while yet....can't wait to have a go though!!

Thanks Jax!

This is great! Thanks for the brand recommendations too. I know from boat building how much easier and better a job can be made, not only by the correct tool, but the right brand as well. I have a flush saw that cost me a small fortune, for wood work, but worth it's weight in gold. So, what are other people's beloved leather tools?

Wow, thanks for all that Renoir, much appreciated! I'll have to look up a couple of things to see what they are/do, but that looks like a fab starter list! Some things are easy for me to come by, especially scrap wood! I'll have to remember not to burn it all in the stove this winter! Thanks for the links too, a great help!

So a clicker press is like a biscuit (cookie) cutter sort of? Presumably you can cut a variety of shapes with it? (thank goodness for Google & Wikipedia!)

yes please!

It was the Tandy one, yes, it was the only starter kit I could readily find. I understand it won't be great, but I'm hoping it will let me know if this is the right direction for me, and just give me a basic starting point. If so, then I can start to learn more with better books, and grow a better set of tools. Right now I wouldn't have a clue what to buy, so it really id just a starting point, and will hopefully serve it's purpose. I hear what you are saying though! I started a couple of other threads (3 I think) requesting assorted advice, so hopefully thay will bring me some help in and some better knowledge...meanwhile...I am trawling this site, but there's so much on here!!

My apologies if this has been posted before....I expect it has, but had a quick look and couldn't see it. (please link a re-direction for me if there is already one!!) Also, if Mods feel it should be in another section, please feel free to move it! So, I am a real beginner, and will, I hope, in time build up a collection of leather tools. To help me on my way, as I really don't know where to start, I was wondering what the experienced amongst you, feel is your favourite tool, and your most used tool that you wouldn't be without? If you can bother to say what it is used for too, that would be a great help....yes, I really am that much of a novice!! I don't have free flowing finances, so will be trying to buy carefully, so I reckon your experience would be invaluable to me not making stupid mistakes, purchasing tools that won't be much used. I do appreciate that people will love and use different tools according to what they do with leather, thus the 'what is it used for' question!! Also, there are sometimes interesting stories behind tools and our love for them. Mine are around different types of tools to leather work ones, so far though, but I'd love to hear which tools you love and why! Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the suggestions! I have ordered a starter kit which is currently winging it's way to me. The tandy starter kit turned out to be exactly the same as the one I linked to, but half the price....a no brainer, so hopefully that will give me a little taster and make sure it's for me. Jax...Leicestershire...mostly in the countryside wherever the canal and river takes me!!

No, we just build new builds, all bespoke. There's just the 2 of us and our painter, so it's a 6 month job from start to finish. We're running out of work orders though, after the current one (december launch) and whilst we have an order for 2015, nothing for next year.....scary!.....so I might need something to keep me occupied! Oh wow, just looked at some of your stuff, it's gorgeous!! I doubt I will get to that level in that time...well done you!

Thank you Matt, and thanks for the welcome! I keep coming across people recommending Al Stohlman books, so I guess those are the ones to chase. I have just ordered a starter kit to give it a go and see if it's the right craft for me, and I think I'll try a library for books first, maybe get my own later.

*gulp*, I was hoping it wouldn't get tooooooo expensive!! Ah well, I'll wait and see if it catches me. I've looked at doing a few crafts but they just aren't 'me' really, whereas leather work kind of 'feels right' for me. Plus my sister doesn't do it....a bonus as she is into everything and gets very competitive!! I just want something I can sit on my boat and fiddle with, perhaps make saleable items eventually, but at least make gifts and such like! What kind of things have you been making Lightingad?

Starter kit ordered from Tandy...turns out it looks like exactly the same kit as the Matlock shop has, but much cheaper....thank you!

I have storage space. We have a tug deck, which has about 6'x6' of clear storage, and various other nooks and crannies! Thanks Lightningad, I'll take a look at the Tandy kits. I put another thread on the section for beginners, with some links for a shop in Matlock with kits etc...any thoughts on them? I really want to try this out and find a new 'something' to do during the evenings, so I won't be easily put off because I live on a boat...it's just a challenge!! I figure big work can be done on the tug deck itself when the weather is dry! Thanks for your thoughts so far!!

Oh, my other problem is that I have to rely on my phone, or a modem for internet aboard, and the signal varies hugely around the canals, so downloading lots of photo's/video can be a bit hit and miss!

My apologies if this has already been asked, I have had a quick search, but am still finding my way around the forum (day 1) I am a complete starter at this, never done any kind of leatherwork. I would like to learn to make holders for things, but also molded and sculpture type work. But actually, I have no clue where to start........... I am UK based, and have found a local-ish supplier, 'The Identity Store' in derbyshire. Looking through their website just sends me into deeper puzzlement as to what to get, where to start. My funds are limited. My space is limited (live on a canal boat) My power (12v only) and water is limited, but I don't see that should stop me doing these crafts? So, thought I would start with a decent 'beginners introduction to everything' type book. I found several here: http://www.theidenti...e=1&subcatID=32 but I don't know which would be the most useful to me....I don't want to get the wrong one that I can't follow and/or waste money. Could anyone suggest or recommend any of these to me? They also have some starter kits on the same site.http://www.theidenti...ts.asp?catID=45 Again, I want to make the best use of limited funds. Are starter kits useful for a hobby, or would I be better buying separate things? And if so, what??? Thank you in advance for any help or advice you can offer, or places to point me at!! Edited to add: When I am onboard at home, my internet can be somewhat hit and miss, for signal, so downloading video tutorials can be an issue, even photo's (we are still at slow speeds in the UK) thus I thought books!

Hi, I am brand new to the site today. I have some experience with some (very different subject) forums, and yes, searching new forums isn't always the easiest thing to do. From my point of view I am struggling because I don't yet understand the terminology in leather working, or what the tools even are, never mind if I need them, where to find them (UK based), which to get etc etc. I'm wary of posting questions as I know how tiresome newbie questions can be to 'old hands'. You just want to shout..."use the search function"!! BUT, newbies don't always understand that, or where to search/what to search for. As a real proper complete beginner with no knowledge, I'm struggling......but I AM looking! Now then....some of you get into canals and narrowboats, and come onto the canal forum I am a member of, and remember what it's like to be lost in a completely new subject! edited to add: Thank you to the early posters, I will find that info useful....once I know what you are talking about lol!!

I'm a newbie too! Complete novice, from Leicestershire.

Hello everyone! I am a brand new member...thank you mods for approving me. I live on a canal boat (narrow boat) in the UK, and am also a boat builder....again of canal boats, for a living, with my own business. I am looking for a new hobby though, that is something completely different for me, but also it has to be something I can do on the boat....so, limited space, limited water & 12v electric only, both of which are somewhat limited also, depending on where we are and the time of year...we rely on solar for charging our batteries, and as we float around continually, we have no mains hook up. The boat is 62' long but only 6'10" max outside, and holds 2 of us and a ridgeback cross dog, so space is limited. Because of all this, I thought perhaps leather crafting would work for me? Many years ago I bought a leather molded/sculptered face, which I love, and would like to learn to do something like it in time. Is this do-able with my living restrictions? I would also like to look at making things that are useful, belt holders for windlasses (the tool that opens canal locks) jewellry, hats, pouches, and such like. I have no access to any sewing machine so need to be able to do everything by hand. Am I being realistic thinking this is a craft area I can do on the boat? Thanks in advance for any help or advice any of you offer, I am looking forward to being part of the leatherworking community!