Updated June 8, 2024

What leather tools do you need to create unique leather goods? Here are some essential tools recommended for beginners to help you easily get started with leather crafts.

For those new to leather crafting, a hand-sewing kit is a great way to get started with leather goods, such as wallets, belts, and bags. If you're looking to further your leather craft, you'll need to learn some basic and important leather tools. The following tools are recommended by professional leather craftsmen.

Essential leather tools

1. Skin suture needle

A single needle is sufficient for sewing cloth, but in leather craftsmanship, a double needle is often used to create chain stitches, combined with tough wax thread to make leather items stronger and more durable.

2. Wax thread

Wax thread is thicker than ordinary needle and thread, and wax is added to the surface, which not only increases the toughness but also makes the thread smoother when passing through the leather.

3. Beheading

A scissor blade is an essential tool for leather craftsmen, used to create holes in leather for stitching. With varying numbers of blades, a scissor blade can create multiple holes quickly and efficiently. A variety of blade designs, such as round holes and angled holes, can be combined with stitching techniques to create a variety of effects.

4. Mallet

Mallets are commonly used in leather crafting, and are typically made of wood or rubber, as metal mallets can damage the leather surface. Wooden mallets are highly flexible and lightweight, making them a common tool for professional leatherworkers.

5. Rubber pad

The rubber mat is used as a leather cutting board and is used with chopping boards, mallets and knives to not only protect the work surface but also reduce noise.

6. Sanding stick

Used to polish leather edges to make them smoother.

7. Three-purpose edge grinder

Edge grinder: After grinding with a sanding stick, use a bed surface treatment agent to make the leather edge smooth and shiny.

Marker: Press reference lines on leather to facilitate punching.

Smoothing machine: used for smoothing leather soles.

8. Ruizai

A clever little tool that can be used to position leather, pierce incomplete seams, or apply white glue to delicate areas.

9. Filming/squeegee application

Used for applying white glue or bed surface treatment to ensure even distribution of the paint.

10. Bed surface treatment agent

Used with a rubber scraper on the leather bottom and leather edge to smooth the fuzzy surface and polish the leather edge to improve the texture.

11. White glue

Lightly apply to secure leather before sewing to ensure the seam holes are aligned for easier sewing.

12. Leather Handmade Knife

A sharp hand knife can cut leather with precision and is an essential tool for leather craftsmen.

Recommended

Japanese leather tool set, a must-have tool set for beginners 

For beginners, we recommend the Craft hand-stitching leather tool set from the Japanese professional brand. It's a great value for money and high quality, earning widespread acclaim. This set includes a wide range of practical leather tools, making it a great all-in-one purchase for beginners.

These tools not only help you to better complete leather production, but also improve your craftsmanship, making each leather work full of creativity and quality.

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Conclusions and Recommendations

I hope these suggestions can help you get started with leather crafts and enjoy the fun of handmade crafts.

If you have any questions about leather craftsmanship, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help you.