So.. what do I actually need?

[shalbaal]

I've been lurking for awhile. I'm interested in learning leatherworking to make leather bottles, belts and belt pouches to start off with. Hopefully I'll get to the point where I'm comfortable with the idea of making armor, but I want to start relatively small.

I'm not interested in stamps and intricate carving to start with, so many of the "starter kits" are not appealing to me. First, I have a local place to get beeswax at a good price, so I'm planning on getting a good amount to dip leather bottles. I've also read by virtually everyone that they prefer to wax their own thread, so I figure I'll just do this from the start.

So far this is my list of items to get:

The Art of Hand Sewing Leather by Al Stohlman

Awl

Maul

Head Knife/Round Knife

Bone Folder

Spool of 5 cord unwaxed linen thread

Size "1" & Size "0" harness needles

8-9 oz leather

Specifically for Leather Bottles:

Double Boiler

8-10 lbs of beeswax

1 lb Brewer's Pitch

I know I'm missing some tools that I need. I think I also want an Overstitcher Wheel (?) and Edge Bevelers (?) and possibly an Edge Rounder (?). I'd like any advice on particular tools that I will definitely want to have or if I'm blatantly missing anything?

Thanks!

[King's X]

Your off to a good start. If this is going to be a hobby, I would consider how much you want to spend. As far as a list of suppliers, you have many options. Who has everything you need depends. You will get so many answers here. I buy from a handful of suppliers it just depends.

As for your 5 cord, I just happen to have a brand new spool. The thing is huge and unwaxed in an off white color. Send me an offer and it may be yours. It is just sitting on the floor wrapped in plastic taking up space. I thought at one point that I would Stolhman my thread, but I later realized that it would be too much work for me. I rather be carving and stamping.

This is just my short list of suppliers.

Tandy (on a pinch)

Hidecrafters ~ Fort Worth

Springfield Leather ~ just started buying from them and great service so far.

Barry King

Ellis Barnes Hackbarth, Elfrida, AZ

Chuck Smith Tools, CA

Weaver

Siegal of California

Good luck and Happy Holidays.

Edited December 16, 2009 by King's X

[Hilly]

A stitch groover and an overstitch wheel or pricking chisel might be handy.

[Jazznow]

hum, since i`ve got an money problem almost everytime i want to buy new tool, i'd like to give you the hint, tha an round knife is not without alternatives

I worked long time with an simple scalpel and then bought me a knife witch was originally made for carving wood. It works great for know and i payed only 10$ or so

I hope you will have fun with your new hobby

Jazznow

[shalbaal]

King's X: I appreciate the offer with the 5 cord, but I'm not quite ready for it. I still haven't made the plunge to start buying things (other than Al Stohlman's book). Hopefully I'll be picking up tools gradually over the next few months. I'll shoot you a PM to see if it's still available sometime.

I've been reading and digging more and I think I'm going to just go for the higher quality tools from the start. I'm only going to be a hobbyist, but I'm up for anything that makes things easier or may help produce better results.

These are the ones I currently have on my list:

C. S. Osborne Round Knife

Bob Douglas Versa Groove Stitch Groover + 1 or 2 tips

Horse Shoe Brand Tools - Overstitch Marker Size 5

I know I want a good awl for handstitching, but I haven't really found any information on them. Should I just go for a cheap scratch awl? Or should I get a awl haft and osborne curved blade or something?

Also, how useful are edge bevelers? Should I pick one up or just use the round knife to round the edges?

Edited December 31, 2009 by shalbaal

[barra]

For a hobbyist you really can get started without a hole lot and then add as you go. Some tools are leatherwork specific but many tools of other trades or even household items can be used to great advantage in leatherwork,

The edge beveller I would say is a must have. The size needed will depend on what you are making so perhaps go for a middle of the road size. You may see reference to bisonnette edgers. These are handy as it takes off the edge in either a push or pull direction.

You will need a stitching pony/horse to hold your work and leave both hands free for sewing. Small swatch cards of linen thread can be had at saddlery stores as people use them to braid horses manes or the large fabric/home sewer stores (I think like Joannes in the US) sell similar little cardboard swatches of linen thread in the needle point section. These are handy at a pinch.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1019/1347289018_a59b8df73c.jpg

Barra