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Posted (edited)

Hi All,

I want to start leatherworking as a hobby. 

I was hoping to keep the total around $500 (not including leather). I'm in the US.

I'd like to make small leather goods like wallets, notebooks.

I'd like tools that will last me a few years and just pay once.

Here is a list of tools I think I need. With an estimate of the cost. It totals $682.

Can anyone suggest alternatives to the more expensive items which I won't have to upgrade in a year? The more expensive items are the stitching irons, stitching pony, beveler, and maul.  I don't know if I need a dedicated pattern knife of the xacto will be good, I know a lot of people seem to use the xacto.

 

Thanks.

exacto knife $6
ruler $10
Straight edge - already have one 
needles $9
thread  $7 - just to start
stitching irons $215 - I just put the most expensive one for computation. KS Blade Punch 2+10 3mm
pulling block - free
scratch awl $5
square $10
dividers / leather groover $10 - a tandy stitching groover
washers for rounding corners  $10
stitching pony $120 - dream factory. I'm sure there's a cheaper option.
scissors/snip - already have these
beveller 80 - I put the palosanto #2 here. I'm sure there's cheaper options 
slicker $10
beeswax $6
tokonole $11
cutting board/mat $25
card for templates  $15
sanding block/sandpaper $8
maul/hammer $75 - barry king maul.
skiving knife 50 - a friend is selling me a palosanto japanese knife which might be a good option.

Edited by ipcmlr
added tokonole
  • CFM
Posted
1 hour ago, ipcmlr said:

Hi All,

I want to start leatherworking as a hobby. 

I was hoping to keep the total around $500 (not including leather). I'm in the US.

I'd like to make small leather goods like wallets, notebooks.

I'd like tools that will last me a few years and just pay once.

Here is a list of tools I think I need. With an estimate of the cost. It totals $682.

Can anyone suggest alternatives to the more expensive items which I won't have to upgrade in a year? The more expensive items are the stitching irons, stitching pony, beveler, and maul.  I don't know if I need a dedicated pattern knife of the xacto will be good, I know a lot of people seem to use the xacto.

 

Thanks.

exacto knife $6
ruler $10
Straight edge - already have one 
needles $9
thread  $7 - just to start
stitching irons $215 - I just put the most expensive one for computation. KS Blade Punch 2+10 3mm
pulling block - free
scratch awl $5
square $10
dividers / leather groover $10 - a tandy stitching groover
washers for rounding corners  $10
stitching pony $120 - dream factory. I'm sure there's a cheaper option.
scissors/snip - already have these
beveller 80 - I put the palosanto #2 here. I'm sure there's cheaper options 
slicker $10
beeswax $6
tokonole $11
cutting board/mat $25
card for templates  $15
sanding block/sandpaper $8
maul/hammer $75 - barry king maul.
skiving knife 50 - a friend is selling me a palosanto japanese knife which might be a good option.

Instead of buying washers use coins they are much cheaper.

 Barry king maul you can get a deadblow hammer for a few bucks or even a cheaper maul for much less. 

the exacto is good for real light leather but the blades flex to much for thicker stuff, get a box cutter or similar with a bit thicker blades.

If you are handy building a stitching pony is pretty easy, i made mine from an old pallet all i have in it is the cost of two carriage bolts, nuts and washers.

you can also make a scratch awl, i use an old ice pick

card for templates can be any heavy paper from cereal boxes to present boxes you shouldn't ever have to buy this stuff, recycle.

the tandy pro line of stitching chisels are pretty good,also you dont need all of them. what i do with tools such as these, stamps and such are buy them when i need them that way i dont have stuff i will never use like a four stitch per inch chisel. on the chisels i would buy a two prong and a four or six prong in the stitch per inch you want.

Worked in a prison for 30 years if I aint shiny every time I comment its no big deal, I just don't wave pompoms.

“I won’t be wronged, I won’t be insulted, and I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” THE DUKE!

  • Members
Posted

If I can give you an advice as you are a beginner, as Pricking Irons, I would use these 2 (you can choose between the 2 brands from Japan):

Craft Sha Leather Pricking Iron Tool Leathercraft Diamond Stitching Chisel 2x3mm | Goods Japan Shop

Seiwa Diamond Leather Stitching Chisel Leathercraft Pricking Iron Tool 6x3mm | Goods Japan Shop

These 2 to marking holes and this awl to make the holes (of course if you want the diamond shape): Kyoshin Elle Leathercraft Stitching Awl for Sewing Leather Diamond Point Small | Goods Japan Shop

Are really good tools to me, and not expensive, at the beginning could help. 

Of course if you want start with the best by KS Blade, not a problem. I wanted only to tell how I started and I still use them. 

  • Members
Posted

As beginner too, I found that for skiving the easier way it's with french edger. I have this one: Craft Sha FLINT Leathercraft Tool French Edger 6mm or 15/64" Leather Skiver Beveler | Goods Japan Shop

Personally I'm saving money for the Palosanto ones. You have my same taste by the way. Except maybe, for the clamp for sewing... I want one from Korea, but in wood. 

  • CFM
Posted
1 hour ago, Rahere said:

Japanese waterstone to keep your blades sharp, 2000 grit, $40

2000 grit sandpaper 5 bucks. i use 2500 

 

Worked in a prison for 30 years if I aint shiny every time I comment its no big deal, I just don't wave pompoms.

“I won’t be wronged, I won’t be insulted, and I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” THE DUKE!

  • Contributing Member
Posted

Your W&D paper is expensive. 8 x 12 inch sheet £0.50 to £0.60 per, or about 70c per

another vote for a box cutter knife

don't buy card for pattern - scrounge cereal boxes or boxes from shops

Al speling misteaks aer all mi own werk..

  • Contributing Member
Posted (edited)
8 hours ago, ipcmlr said:

exacto knife $6
ruler $10
scratch awl $5
washers for rounding corners  $10
stitching pony $120 
slicker $10
maul/hammer $75 - barry king maul.

I couldn't help but smile when you posted this. I bought most of my tools over 50 years ago and they are still working fine.

  • I have never used an exacto knife on leather. They are not heavy enough. I use a "break-point" utility knife. -- no savings
  • Instead of a ruler, pick up a piece of aluminum stock 1/2" x 48" from Home Depot. -- savings $5
  • A scratch awl is nice but you can file down a nail and get most of the same results. -- savings $4
  • A quarter instead of washers. -- savings $9.75
  • I have a stitching pony, but it has such limited use that I have never used it. So I'd say save your money. -- savings $120
  • I have a slicker, but as above, it has limited use. To smooth an edge us a piece of old Levis jeans or a scrap of canvas. -- savings $10
  • You should be able to pick up a nylon headed hammer on Amazon for around $15. -- savings $60

Total savings = $203.75

Edited by LatigoAmigo
  • Members
Posted (edited)
3 hours ago, LatigoAmigo said:

I couldn't help but smile when you posted this. I bought most of my tools over 50 years ago and they are still working fine.

  • I have never used an exacto knife on leather. They are not heavy enough. I use a "break-point" utility knife. -- no savings
  • Instead of a ruler, pick up a piece of aluminum stock 1/2" x 48" from Home Depot. -- savings $5
  • A scratch awl is nice but you can file down a nail and get most of the same results. -- savings $4
  • A quarter instead of washers. -- savings $9.75
  • I have a stitching pony, but it has such limited use that I have never used it. So I'd say save your money. -- savings $120
  • I have a slicker, but as above, it has limited use. To smooth an edge us a piece of old Levis jeans or a scrap of canvas. -- savings $10
  • You should be able to pick up a nylon headed hammer on Amazon for around $15. -- savings $60

Total savings = $203.75

Woohoo! Thanks!

Edited by ipcmlr
  • Members
Posted (edited)
4 hours ago, SheilaOrikawaAtelier said:

If I can give you an advice as you are a beginner, as Pricking Irons, I would use these 2 (you can choose between the 2 brands from Japan):

Craft Sha Leather Pricking Iron Tool Leathercraft Diamond Stitching Chisel 2x3mm | Goods Japan Shop

Seiwa Diamond Leather Stitching Chisel Leathercraft Pricking Iron Tool 6x3mm | Goods Japan Shop

These 2 to marking holes and this awl to make the holes (of course if you want the diamond shape): Kyoshin Elle Leathercraft Stitching Awl for Sewing Leather Diamond Point Small | Goods Japan Shop

Are really good tools to me, and not expensive, at the beginning could help. 

Of course if you want start with the best by KS Blade, not a problem. I wanted only to tell how I started and I still use them. 

Yeah. I just put the most expensive there. I knew people would recommend more affordable pricking irons. Its where i can save the most money. Thanks!

Edited by ipcmlr
Added

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