What do I need to start? New and looking to make some bags and wallets.

[Gui]

Thanks for the input. I went to pick up some essential tools and some leather this morning at Tandyleather to get me started. I'll list what I got below.

I still need to pick up a Chisel, mallet, needles, and thread to have all the minimum tools. Other than that I think I'm about ready to get into it? I'm considering a clamp that can attach on to my table but I guess I can decide on that later on.

 

What I picked up at Tandyleather:

Scratch Awl

Saddlemaker's Groover

Edge Beveler

Multi-Size Slicker

Adhesive

Smooth Grain Leather

 

[Tugadude]

Regarding a mallet, you can get by with a cheap one to begin with from Harbor Freight or similar.  I purchased one of those hammers that features both rubber and plastic faces, it actually has two different striking surfaces and interchangeable heads.  Cost me under $10.00 and it is fine for most of what I do.

If you decide to begin stamping, then you'll want a real leatherworker's mallet for best results.

[Aven]

If you are looking for a maul.  Checkout wrising.com.  They have mauls that have cosmetic defects for about $30 for a 2lb maul.  They carry other items that might interest you.  I can only speak to the maul.  I got mine about 4 years ago and am still very happy with it.

[JLSleather]

Good to see the 'new guy' remembering to budget in LEATHER.  I'm not kidding -- TOO many times I've seen people (sometimes here) spend money on mallets, knives, "maker stamps", and such... and not have any money set back for LEATHER (tip: you can't work leather if you don't have leather).

I seem to be the dissenting opinion around here re: round knives and mauls.  I'm sure they are "good" and have their place, just convinced that not everybody has need of them.  Like a cantle pliers ... indispensable to the saddle maker, pretty much useless to the wallet guy.  Same principle - expecting fairly heavy snow today here.  The ugly old truck with the blade on the front is worth more today than the Mercedes.  Shiny is okay, IF AND ONLY IF it does the job at hand.

I like rawhide mallets.  Relatively cheap, very effective, and will last for years.  You can get mallets (or mauls) with replaceable heads, but I never have - doesn't seem worth the trouble to assume those will still be available in 10 years when I need new ones   Each his own, but I started with a Garland rawhide mallet because that's what somebody said I needed and I didn't know otherwise.  That mallet stood up to YEARS of tooling HOURS EVERY DAY... before I replaced it for under $30.

I agree that Harbor Freight is the leather man's friend.  Utility knife is like $4 - blades are 25¢ and don't need to spend time sharpening it.  Square, 6 foot straight edge, and angle marker are good price there too.

At some point, you might consider a drill press (harbor freight has a low-res version, or watch craigslist / local sales).  These are great for burnishing, MAKING your own burnishing tools, even punching stitch holes. Oh, speaking of stitch holes... you might want to add a

STITCH SPACE MARKER (sometimes called an "overstitch wheel") This one is off the tandy site, but anything similar works (note, you "could" mark your stitching with a set of dividers, but .... not optimal)

 https://tandyleather.com/collections/tools/products/craftool-spacer-set

[Tugadude]

I just remembered this video.  Ian Atkinson puts out some wonderful content.  Might be of some help.  There are also other people on youtube that list their suggestions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTfMRaVyCd4

 

 

Edited December 30, 2020 by Tugadude

[AndrewWR]

Recommended viewing on the subject:

 

https://www.ianatkinson.net/leather/videos.htm   He has excellent how-to videos including a couple that talk you through the basic tools.

 

https://www.youtube.com/c/HahnsAtelier/videos  Also excellent, but with less explaining and more emphasis on just watching him work. Check out his guide to 10 essential tools.

 

https://www.youtube.com/c/NigelArmitage/videos Lots of tool reviews plus excellent tutorials on stitching technique.

 

Spend a few hours learning how various craftsmen do it then think about what tools you want (need).

 

Its also as well to remember that a lot of the specialist tools of leatherwork are designed to speed up operations that can be accomplished more laboriously, but satisfactorily, with tools most people already have and can repurpose. For example, I haven't bought a cobbler's hammer because I already had a panel beating hammer which has worked out just fine so far. My first skiving knife was a well honed 1" butt chisel. My scratch awl was a metalworking scribe. For cutting I still favour a Stanley knife. I have 2 Stanley knives: a standard blade and a hooked blade which is great for curves (I use it wherever a pro would reach for a clicker knife). I've had a lifetime of practice being accurate with a Stanley knife and it's generally not a bad idea to stick with tools you're comfortable with. 

Wheel knives, sold for cutting fabric, are excellent too, and cheaper than a decent quality head knife. Unless you're already skilled at sharpening and honing blades, my advice is to stick to disposable sharps until you know you're going to stick with this hobby, then think about investing in 'proper' tools. 

Good luck with your new hobby.