Getting started, mainly wallets and gunslings (salmon leather inlays)

[Birchee]

Hi all,

I have been making salmon leather (russia leather style) for a few years now as well as some conditioner and wax all based off birch tar. They have become pretty popular in the area and I have people asking me if I can create some items like wallets and gunslings and use the salmon leather as inlay. There are no leather workers anywhere in this area that I am aware of.

All things leather has my interest and so I would like to start learning, I have made a basic list to get started, if I am m issing something or you have any recommendations please do!

 

- Utility knife / Xacto knife
- Metal ruler + metal square
- Japanese skiving knife
- Hole punch
- Stitching chisels (high quality)
- Awls
- Strap cutter
- Stitching pony
- Self healing cutting mat / board

 

How does that look for starting?

[AlZilla]

You should look at some of this guys posts. He's an experienced leather crafter who has recently done some projects with minimal tools. I don't know that he's created a list but I think a person could extrapolate a list from his projects. 

Click on his user name to get to his profile page from which you can see his posts.

I'm no good at making lists like this. 

EDIT: here's the post I was looking for. He basically started from scratch:

 

 

[Birchee]

Thanks, great example of doing lots with little.

[MarshalWill]

You could get along without the chisels if you punch the holes with a stitch awl. I've been working leather for 50+ years and never had a set of chisels. You can make a good, even line of holes with a bit of practice. I learned to stitch in a saddle shop and we just learned to use a stitch awl. There are good books on saddle stitching that can get you going in the right direction. Then, if you wish, you can invest in some chisels but it will b e a choice, not a necessity.

I used to have a stitching pony but it never held the work tight enough without marking the leather so I finally got rid of it and just work without it. FWIW, we never had a stitching pony in the saddle shop, either. You may be able to find one that does the job, though.

[PastorBob]

Welcome from SW Missouri!

 

I would suggest a good maul or hammer.  Maybe get a starter set of stamps for patterns.