Hello everyone!

[Cronniss]

Hi there!

I am a newbie to both this site and leatherworking.

In fact, I am just starting to get tools & books on the craft. I am starting with 3 books: Projects in Leather (which I've already have read and seems like a really good beginner's book), LEATHERCRAFTING – A step by Step, Beginners Guide to Creating Leather Armour (I haven't read yet, but looks like a really good book), & The Leatherworking Starter Handbook (I haven't read this one yet either, but the pictures are in black & white and look rather faded, and the glossary is not in any recognizable order).

Also, I am looking to get this set to start with: SAKERNEO Leather Working Tools kit. (Image below.) I would appreciate any points of view and suggestions that I could get on this set and the books I picked up. I have a list of other tools and equipment that I will eventually pick up.

As to what I would like to eventually do, I'm sure you could tell with the books I picked up. I am looking to eventually make armor and leather equipment. This is more for a hobby than anything else. (I don't plan on making it a business, but you never know what may happen.)

For a long time, I have wanted to get into leatherworking, and I feel that now is the time. I know that I can't just start working on armor, so I plan on starting with small projects (wallets, belts, knife sheaths, purses), and then working up to being able to produce armor. I've always had a love for the late Middle Ages into the Modern Era (Mid-to-Late Medieval thru the Renaissance). Eventually, I may introduce metalwork into my leatherwork; producing metal & leather armor combinations.

I hope to glean as much information as I can from here, and I hope to become knowledgeable enough to pass whatever I learn on.

Cronniss

[alfredleatherworks]

Welcome! There’s a lot to learn, and there’s a ton of folks here who will gladly share that information. Good luck, and I hope to see some of your projects as you get going!

[JDFred]

The book I wished I would have gotten sooner is “Leatherwork Manual” it’s $17 from Tandy.  It’s basically a textbook for shop class it even has quizzes at the end of each chapter.  I think it does a pretty good job of outlining basic principles.  This place is also a very good source for info.  Welcome and good luck in your craft.  Don’t forget to post pictures as you’re going along.

[Cronniss]

Thank you both!

And thank you JDFred for the tip on the book! It is much appreciated!

Cronniss

[Mulesaw]

Welcome to the forum 🙂

My experience with those large tool sets is that they look good, but the quality is so & so..
The marking wheels are pretty flimsy, and the stitching forks are not very sharp. The stamps look impressive when mounted, but depending on what you want to make - you might end up only using a couple of them, and the rest just sits idle.

The problem is that if you start out with new tools, and the results aren't what you expect, it is very easy to thinkt that "you" are the problem, and in reality it might be the tools that are not good.

You can get very far with a few tools, and then add on to your tool set as you go along. 

My suggestion would be to start with a sharp knife, (a utility knife is fine). A cutting mat, a steel ruler, a diamond awl, a cork sanding block (as backing for the awl), a marking wheel, a stitching groover, and an edge beveller. A set of leather needles, and some thread in white, brown and black. A bit of bees wax for waxing the thread, and a revolving leather punch plier (not sure that is the correct name). Alternatively get a couple of good stitching forks, a mallet and something to do the punching on.
If you would like to carve and stamp, you will need a swivel knife, a mallet and some stamps. But it is much better to buy those stamps as you go along. That way you won't end up with some that you never use anyway.

Good luck and I hope you have fun along the way.

Brgds Jonas

 

[JDFred]

After Jonas mentioned tool quality I looked at that set you pictured closer and realized it is the same set my parents bought for my kids so they could have their own tools.  There are some good things about the set like large thread color assortment the cutting mats are good the slickers and folder are nice.  Some things that are not nice the drive punches are really dull and will drive you nuts, the maul is really light and may be ok for tooling but for the punches it’s not heavy enough.  The knife is easy enough to sharpen to make usable.  I don’t mean to discourage you but if you find yourself struggling with a tool from the set don’t get down on yourself like your doing something wrong maybe try upgrading that tool and see if it helps. Using lower quality tool can make you better in the long run when you upgrade you’ll realize you’re not as bad as you think you were (I went through the same thing myself with some of my early tools and leather choices).  Keep after it and good luck.