Want to get started on this craft

[TonyV]

Yes to books.  Be careful of the Youtube vids.  Some are experts with valuable skills to share and well-presented lessons, others not so much.  

Amazon tool kits made of chinesium?  Some of those tools work out ok, some don't.  You will end up with a box full of tools that ain't worth the postage and/or unnecessary to your chosen path in the craft.  A mere few that serve well enough.  Better to buy what you need when you need it, and be willing to spend for better quality tools that you know you want and need.

So many paths to take down the leather trail!  Tooling, carving, plain. and artsy.  Saddles, chaps, tack and harness.  Clothing shoes, boots, purses and bags.  Belts, wallets, holsters, sheaths.  Furniture, wall art.  Braiding and whips.  'Adult' items and kink. 

Choose somethin simple to start with.  A belt, a wallet, something like that.  I suspect that most of us started with a kit from Tandy or a craft store.   Start with the most basic tools.  You need a cutting surface like a plastic cutting board.  A very sharp knife, a Stanley utility knife works very well and an awl.  stiitching or lacing needles if needed, PVA glue or contact adhesive as needed.  Build a couple simple projects first, then move on to the more complicated stamping and carving. Buy tools as needed.

[revilop]

Thanks I just got this kit on Amazon... Now I need to get some leather, seem to have some basic tools I guess .

Now I need to get some patterns and some leather to start practicing.

Saw I few things on a Renaissance fair that I would.like to some.day be able to make like a dragon mask or a dragon night night helmet. I also already promised my mom to make her a wallet once my skills are up for the challenge.

[AlZilla]

3 hours ago, revilop said:

Thanks I just got this kit on Amazon... Now I need to get some leather, seem to

Nice. I don't seem to see a swivel knife. Not necessary unless you want to do carving, like a portrait or a floral pattern on a knife sheath or holster.

Yep, understanding the many types of leather available is tough. Vegetable Tanned, or "veg tan" is the type you need to stamp and carve on. Chrome Tan is cheaper and available in an array of gaudy colors but is to be avoided for anything that will contact metal (as a knife sheath or holster).

Then there's thickness. Learn the "ounce" system, would be my advice (for which you have not asked). An ounce of leather thickness is 1/64th of an inch. Wallet linings are often in the 2/3 ounce range. The outside can be up to maybe 4/5. Knife sheaths,  I usually use 4/5. Many people go heavier. Gun Holsters typically run 8ish to 10 ounce. Belts can be 4/5 up to 12 or more depending on the application, sometimes 2 layers. 

If you ask 10 people for their thoughts on the last paragraph, you'll get a dozen different answers. For me, I keep 3 hides around, a 2/3 ounce, a 4/5 and something 8 to 10 or so. All undyed veg tan.

And then there's a question of brands ... I'm lucky to have a very large leather/fur dealer close by and use whatever they have. Others are very loyal to a given brand (Wickett & Craig, Herman Oak, etc) and would sooner fight a Holy War than change.

The Saddle and Tack people are a world unto themselves where types of leather are concerned.

Looking forward to your progress.

[toxo]

On 12/1/2025 at 6:21 PM, revilop said:

Hello,

Would like to get into this craftsmanship. 

Any recommendations on how or where to start?

I saw a kit on Amazon with some tools and mats is it worth it

Thanks

Well you've already bought the kit now which will serve for a while. As you're finding out, a question like this has a multitude of answers. They all mean well and as in all things, everyone has their own take. I'll just add this. Start with a pattern! Everything will be explained in detail, you'll understand each step and why and will give you confidence to look for the next project. Many pattern sellers provide a step by step video and tell you what leather and how much you'll need. This was my very first project (I'd done some reading of course). It's a Dieselpunkro pattern (Motoko3) and I made it with the minimum of tools. I have no affiliation with Dieselpunkro but from recollection I know he has some mask patterns.

[Jordan]

When I started years ago I was lucky thre was a Tandy store nearby where I picked up quite a few how to booklets predominantly By Stolman If memory serves there were books from belts to golf bag projects and a lot of techniques from carving to stitching, The were pretty basic and many seemed to be from the fifties at least that was their vibe. Most were well worth the price based on the amount of knowledge available for a newbie, which we all were at one time. 

[AlZilla]

1 hour ago, Jordan said:

When I started years ago I was lucky thre was a Tandy store nearby where I picked up quite a few how to booklets predominantly By Stolman If memory serves there were books from belts to golf bag projects and a lot of techniques from carving to stitching, The were pretty basic and many seemed to be from the fifties at least that was their vibe. Most were well worth the price based on the amount of knowledge available for a newbie, which we all were at one time. 

 

Good point. Tandy has tons of leathercraft books for free on it's website.

https://tandyleather.com/blogs/leathercraft-library

[Deanr]

I would like to second toxo's post. It's so much easier with a pattern. Well worth the $10. In addition he has instructional videos to go with the pattern.

With these patterns you need the minimum in tools. Use a 1.5 mm punch and get some tiger thread, some needles and go at it. The stitching is alot easier this way.

I wish I had figured this out earlier, it would have saved alot of frustration.