What tools should a newbie not skimp on?

[Hardrada]

https://www.tandyleather.world/products/leathercraft-tools-book

52 minutes ago, AzShooter said:

A good sharpening kit will also go a long way.

Yup.

https://www.danswhetstone.com/product/bench-stones/

Soft and Hard in an 8 x 2 x 1/2 should suffice.

[chrisash]

15 hours ago, Brigg said:

Thank you all for the replies!

I have a lot to think about. I did not know there was a difference between a stitching chisel and a pricking iron. I also appreciate the leather suggestions. It is hard to know what leather to buy in the beginning because I don't want to buy something that is awful to work with and that is of low quality but I also don't want to buy really high end practice material. If anyone has other suggestions I would be curious to know.

What edger would you recommend?

Selecting tools is definitely difficult when it is unclear how to get the results I want. I have attached some photos of the kind of things I would like to make. I also am fond very fond of Hermes, Moynat, Berluti, Dunhill, Goyard (full leather products). I don't know if this would guide my tool selection.

Hakase x T. MBH

Qualialeather

 

Swaine Adeney

 

tl.watchstrapvn

 

Whilst its good to have high ambitions  you will need to be realistic, the leather workers in these factories have had probably 3-5 years apprenticeship with top master leather workers and then many years learning the trade. you will only know what tool is best for you when you have gained some experience and learnt the skills to be able to judge

[Brigg]

7 hours ago, chrisash said:

Whilst its good to have high ambitions  you will need to be realistic, the leather workers in these factories have had probably 3-5 years apprenticeship with top master leather workers and then many years learning the trade. you will only know what tool is best for you when you have gained some experience and learnt the skills to be able to judge

I agree with your point and it is more likely than not I will never get there.

I think I may have put the cart before the horse with this thread in that I have no idea which projects to start with. How do you determine what style of leather craft to begin with?

I bought this book Making Leather Bags, Wallets, and Cases: 20+ Projects with Contemporary Style The projects appear very simple. The tool list is about $200 (mostly Kyoshin Elle products). I like the minimalistic design, the final result looks visually appealing but if these items were for sale in a store I wouldn't buy them for myself. From an aesthetic perspective I much prefer the look of these projects to the Tandy and Weaver projects I have seen.

I also have the Valerie Michael book and I like her style very much. The projects seem like too much for me off the bat, though, suggesting a huge workshop and thousands of dollars of tools.

[Retswerb]

Where to start depends on a whole host of things but the most important questions only you can answer. What do you like? What do you want to create? The pictures above are a great start to that.

I’ve not looked at either of those books in person but I’d suggest starting simply with a basic project from either to get your feet wet and see what appeals to you along the way. 

A few years back I started looking at some basic wallets and notebook covers and thought “I could make that.” Never would have guessed that along the road I’d develop a real appreciation for Sheridan work and other styles that didn’t appeal to me at first.

[Aven]

18 hours ago, Hardrada said:

You will need a steel hammer, though: a cobbler's hammer with a smooth head to tap your stitching work.

Needless to say, you should never use the cobbler's hammer to hammer anything else: if you scratch the head you'll be marking the leather when you flatten the stitches.

Cobbler's hammers come with a smooth or a checkered face.  If you grab a checkered one because the price was right. Patience and a file/sander will fix the face.  You can also glue leather on the face.  If you get one off of Ebay or it's ilk, you can clean up the face the same way.  Unless its been used to beat on metal tools, sand paper should be enough.  I'm partial the French style.  It's easier to get into places with the tail.  But an English style works well too, you just need to learn your tool

Wrising.com has mauls that have cosmetic defects that will save you some money.  I've had mine for about 4 years now.  I have no regrets about that purchase.

My father was a machinist that did tool and die work.  His thoughts on tools was that "professional" tools won't make you a professional, but good quality tools will make it easier to learn the craft.  Cheap tools will work, but what you save in money you will spend in time fixing the tool or sharpening it every time you just look at it, and/or having to go slower with it to get the results you want.  In a nutshell, buy the absolute best tool you need that you can afford.  BUT make sure the tool is worth the money and you aren't paying for the hype around the name.  Oh, and make what you can, like a stitching pony, horse or clam.  Plans for a stitching horse, pages 98 - 104  https://ia802605.us.archive.org/32/items/farmwoodwork00roeh/farmwoodwork00roeh.pdf

[chuck123wapati]

Skimping on tools ? Hmmm Does that mean quality or something else?  If your question is all about quality then no buy quality tools! As other have said however is a quality box cutter that is  80% percent cheaper than a round knife skimping? Heck yea ! Skimping can also mean not buying tools you don't need. But as most have said the tools you do decide to buy need to be of decent quality to do the job you need done, i will add if you decide on non disposable cutting tools then by all means buy Good sharpening tools.

[mike02130]

After tools you need to learn some basics.  Saddle stitching, saddle stitching and more saddle stitching.  Right now--today--go buy some cheap irons from Amazon.  You will also need a non steel mallet, a wing divider and a utility knife, glue and a straight edge.  Go to Rocky Mountain leather and spend some money on a nice piece of 3 oz Buttero leather, some small John James' needles and a spool of their "Twist" brand polyester thread at .45 mm.   Make a stitching pony.  The Buttero is 22 bucks a square foot.  Expensive but that will be the caliber of leather you will be using.  Get a feel for it and appreciate the quality.  Cut some strips and glue and scribe, punch and sew.  Show us your stitching and we'll help you improve on that.  Times a wasting.  

I think we--at least I--have done all that we could for you.  Show some initiative.  The ball is in your court.  Decide if you are going to run or fumble. 

I suggest you start out making something basic such as a card holder with your left over Buttero or something like a passport/notebook cover such as below.

https://www.rmleathersupply.com/collections/view-all-leather/products/buttero-veg-tanned-leather-3oz-1-2mm-made-in-italy

https://www.rmleathersupply.com/collections/thread-sewing/products/john-james-saddlers-harness-needles-sz-4-2-0-00-000-25-pack?variant=711082135

https://www.rmleathersupply.com/collections/thread-sewing/products/twist-polybraid-premium-braided-polyester-thread-buy-5-get-6th-free

[mike02130]

BTW, If you were to buy only one book, this is the one to buy.  It will teach you luxury goods and she provides patterns.

https://www.rmleathersupply.com/products/leatherwork-school-book-techniques-for-making-hand-stitched-leather-goods-pattern-download?_pos=1&_sid=1af776371&_ss=r

[Brigg]

Thank you all for the help! I really appreciate it.

[Brigg]

Thank you all again for all your help! I ordered all my tools to start with the exception of pricking irons (have some cheap 3mm Wuta ones already)

I do have one more question about pricking irons. I would like to get some Blanchard ones in the near future. Atelier Amblard only sells ones with 2, 4, 12 teeth. RM Leather seems to sell ones with up to 13 teeth with exception of the 12 tooth model. What are the recommended number of teeth assuming I only want two irons? Amblard says 12 and 2 and RM leather says 2 and 8. The largest one I have has 6 teeth...so 12 seems enormous especially for smaller items. How many teeth do your regularly used irons have?