Uk leather work tools

The curve allows for more agile precision with this task. When looking for a tool that can make a hole in leather without leaving a large opening, try a diamond tip awl. They are awls with a diamond-shaped think 4 corners coming to a point blade and a very sharp point. The sharp point allows it to cut into the leather, while the diamond tip pushed through.

This is better than just a hole punched into the leather, as holes created like that would often be larger than the thread used and leave a loose-fitting seam once complete. Diamond tip awls come in various sizes so the crafter can choose what size hole is most appropriate for the project.

This is definitely a recommended leather working tool. This type of awl is used for pulling leather lacing through holes.

The tip usually has a small hooked end, or an eye like on a needle. This is repeated for each hole the lacing will be pulled through. A needle awl is an awl with a pointed needle end and an eye on it. This allows threads to be passed through the needle and pushed through leather material when stitching two or more pieces together. These awls usually come in an elongated diamond shape.

Primarily used by saddle makers, they help make holes in thicker leathers for stitching and sewing. Often available in different sizes, they can be either single awls, or awl bladed that can be fit into a universal awl haft. Scratch awls are pretty universal leather working tools. They have a sharp, rounded point and are used for piercing holes in leather. Coming in a range of sizes, they can be used on thinner leathers or thicker leathers.

These awls can also be used for scratching, or marking, leather. Where a pen or pencil might not be the best choice, the scratch awl can be used to leave point marks for example where a hole might go , or lines where a cut line might be. Just apply less pressure to the awl by hand and push or drag it across the leather.

Leather burnishers and slickers are usually rounded or curved tools used to burnish smooth-out leather surfaces and edges through friction. To help ensure a finished leather product that can wear well and be durable, it is generally good practice to smooth out, or burnish, the edges.

This makes them hardened and strong. Sometimes, edges are even painted to seal them up. Many preferences and options are available for this, though burnishers and slickers are often used most. They come in different materials ranging from plastics to exotic woods.

There are hand burnishers, where you move it back and forth over the leather by hand it generates heat through friction and changes the leather surface. There are also burnishing tools that use motors to rapidly move the burnisher over the leather to seal the edge. Burnishing machines and attachments make this a very easy task, and include dedicated machine as well as attachments that fit onto drills and rotary tools.

The key to burnishing is heat generation and transfer. When the edge leather fibers are heated they join together and smooth out. So friction created by moving a burnisher back and forth quickly makes this happen.

When choosing a burnisher material, keep in mind the different heat properties of the material. These burnishers are generally the least expensive. They can get hot quickly, which one should keep an eye on, as burnishing too hot or too quickly can burn the leather edge and leave unwanted marks. Wood leather burnishers are most popular, as the natural wood material on the natural leather material ends up being a nice combination. Brass and other metal burnishers are very strong, though retain a lot of heat.

One must be careful when using metal so as to not heat the leather edge too quickly and burn it, leaving unwanted marks. Glass burnishers and slickers are available as well. Their smooth surface makes it helpful to put a smoothed edge onto leather. Some woods are preferred for their burnishing results. Cocobolo is a very common wood used for this that is strong and durable. It also looks great with a dark natural color to it. Other woods used include paduk, vitae, ebony, pine, oak, maple, rosewood, and most any wood available.

Instead of a rounded piece of wood or rectangular piece of glass, box slickers a rectangular, solid blocks of wood. The function the same way as other slickers and burnishers through friction created by moving the block quickly over the leather. It is essentially a motor with various burnishing mounts. Since it is powered by electricity, the about of manual effort on the crafter is very much reduced, mainly to holding the leather piece gently by the burnisher.

Dedicated tabletop burnishing machines might have attachments on each side of a motor to hold wood burnishers, sand paper, plastic burnishing tip, or an array of burnishing finishers. Rotary tools, such as Dremels, can also work very well as powered burnishers. As another option, burnisher attachments for power drills are widely available. This can quickly make any home drill corded or cordless into a burnisher very easily.

Just remember, all that power can easily burn the leather edge! Sometimes it helps burnishing when the leather or leather edge is wet first. Not too wet and soaked, but just enough to aid in the heating and smoothing process the burnishers do. A common water spray bottle can be great here as a leather working tool, allowing the crafter to mist the leather areas just a little and then get to burnishing.

A simple but convenient way to wet leather to be burnished. Leather is a natural material and can last for centuries if it is well-cared for. That usually involves periodic cleaning and conditioning to ensure that it stays in top shape during everyday use. Leather needs to maintain a healthy balance of humidity and oils. If it gets too dry it can become brittle and flake and crack apart. If it gets too wet it can begin to mold and decompose.

It very much likes the middle ground of just enough moisture and oil to be a supple, strong material that lasts. Choosing a leather cleaner is highly dependent on the type of leather being cleaned. There are specialized leather cleaners and more general ones that are safe for many leathers. The cleaner helps to loosen and remove dust, dirt, debris, and grime from the leather surface. Be sure to check that whatever cleaner you might use is safe for the type of leather being used on.

Some conditioners also leave a protective finish over the leather, further helping it to be resistant to picking up too much water, dirt, and debris before the next time it is cleaned and conditioned. When well-cared for, leather can last and be usable for generations. Leather oil is a type of leather conditioner.

There are many different types and formulations available. Some cater to specific leather products shoes, boots, bags, etc. Others to the conditions the leather will be used in. And even others that have more general formulations that work well on most leathers.

Leather creasers help put a crease in the edge of leather, often for aesthetic reasons. This avoid stretching the leather near the bend, making it much cleaner and visually appealing. Manual creasers can be drawn by hand against the leather. An example is putting the visual touch of a thin line near the outside edge of a belt. In some cases the creaser can be heated so it runs more smoothly over and deeper into the leather, and more easily crease softer leathers.

Creasers can also be used, instead of burnishing, to put an edge onto leatherwork. An example is finishing the edges of a wallet, or those on a luxury handbag. When working on a project that benefits from a heated creaser, there is a machine to the rescue! The electric creaser machine feeds electricity to a hand-held creaser. On the end is metal tip that gets warm from the electricity, and delivers a consistent temperature over the leather.

When finishing the edges naturally or with added protectants such as wax, al electric creaser will make a huge difference. These are often used on very high-end leather work. So very common in leather craft is cutting leather. As such, getting familiar with the different types of cutting and bladed leather tools will be helpful. They include knives in many varieties, shapes, and sizes.

Rotary cutters are rounded blades mounted as a wheel, scissors for rougher cutting, and strap cutters for cutting long leather straps and laces. Within each type are various configurations, sizes, and qualities to fit your needs. With all knives and bladed tools, proper maintenance is important. Leather can be a tough material, knives with sharp, well-cared-for blades will make the work much easier.

Now on the to the fun stuff and all the info! The staple leather working tool is the knife. There are so many variations that are used in so many ways. In some cases the only tool one might need for leather craft project is just a knife.

So where to begin? Like most things, simply. The most basic knives such as utility and crafting knives can go a long way. This is a handheld knife with replaceable metal blades. The blades come in different shapes, sizes, and angles for almost any crafting and cutting need. New blades are very sharp, reliable, and not too expensive. To replace a blade, just unscrew the base of the knife, remove the old blade, put a new one in, and re-tighten the base.

Box cutters can work great for leather working too. Some come with replaceable blades. Others come with multiple blades where once one is dull, just snap it off and the new, sharp blade is available. Often inexpensive, this is definitely a viable option when getting into leather craft. The round knife, also referred to as a head knife, is one of the most versatile knifes for leather working.

Since it has such a large blade surface and cutting edge, it can more effectively cut through thicker leathers than smaller knives.

Head knives also work well for thin leathers and detailed cutting. The maneuverability of the blade edge make it useful for cutting curves. The blade depth can also be controlled manually to set lines into the leather without cutting fully through.

Round knives come in many brands and qualities. Handle shapes are important too. You want to have one that feels comfortable in the hand, in all the various positions one might hold it while cutting. Given all of the assets of the larger, sharper blade, one must also be very careful when handling and using a head knife. This is another of the top leather craft tools to have. The swivel knife is used for leather tossing and carving intricate patterns into leather pieces. Usually made of metal, sometimes brass, they have a chisel-edged blade and are held upright in the hand.

On the top is a curved piece of metal that acts as a finger rest, so the index finger can lay across the top and help control the angle and pressure applied to the blade. Blades styles can vary from straight to angled, each benefitting different cutting style and uses. It takes some time to learn and master the swivel knife. Once familiar with the techniques, one can craft some incredibly detailed and impressive decorative work into leather. The flat knife is a style of knife with a long, thin, metal blade that extends through a long, flat handle.

The cutting edge is very similar to the xacto knife blades, with angled and flat edge options available. The edge can be re-sharpened for a long time, making it a good investment. The flatness of the handle helps gives it good control.

It even offers unique angling to the blades better suited for right, or left handed users. Pretty amazing the precision is that accurate that left or right handed options are even available for a blade.

Worth checking out if you want to invest in a high-quality knife. Beveled point leather working knives have a beveled edge to the blade.

This helps for skiving and edge trimming where you want a little more control over how deep the cut is and how the path of the blade moves through the cut. For example, you might want to cut fairly deep into the edge and taper it up as you move forward. You might want to taper a cut out as you move along an edge, or even just shave a tine bit of leather from a surface when doing finishing work. The beveled shape of the blade will help with this. Curved lip knives, usually made of steel, are often used by cobblers doing shoe repair.

Often designed to be right or left handed for use, they have a uniquely shaped bent tip with a sharp edge that allows for easy trimming of show soles. It is important to find one with a comfortable handle that fits well within the hand. This is not as common as other leather cutting tools, and usually intended for specialized uses. Trimming knives are used for finer, detailed leather work. They are available with both straight and curved blades.

When cutting out intricate patterns, trimming thread, or working on smaller details including edge, seam, and trim work, this is a great choice to have in the leather craft tool kit. This gives the blade more cutting surface and control over curved cuts, making it a great choice for cobblers and shoemakers. This style knife also works very well when cutting through thicker leathers, as the larger blade surface makes that sometimes difficult task much easier.

This is a specialized type of trimming knife that allows for more agility in cuts. It can make curved cutting easier, as well as more nimble movements through other detailed work such as edge finishing.

This trim knife can also be used for trimming threads and working on intricate patterns. Leather working straight knives have a long, straight blade. It might taper on an angle in from the tip, though the sharpened blade portion is straight. These knives work great for cutting very accurately in leather craft, and the blade can sit securely and deeply into the leather throughout the cutting process.

A comfortable handle is important on a knife like this, as the broader cutting style used benefits from resting well in the hand. Shoemakers knives are a specialized leather working knife. They are often made of solid metal and work for a variety of needs including overall cutting, skiving, scraping, large trimming, and shaping the soles of shoes.

These come in versions that are straight, or curved. The curved versions come in left-handed and right-handed styles. The straight versions are usually double-beveled to be used in either hand. Available in right or left-handed versions, it has a uniquely angled blade that makes it useful for trimming the leather soles of shoes. They are particularly helpful for trimming around the heel area.

This is the kind of knife that might not get used often, though will help produce excellent results when it does. The blade has a curve to it that helps it rest just right into and through the leather while cutting. Leather paring knifes really shine in the bookbinding craft. They come in a variety of sizes and blade types including rounded, angled, and straight.

French pairing knives generally have a semi-rounded blade with an upright handle. English pairing knives look like very large leather cutting flat knives, where the end has an angled blade and the metal from the blade continues up and is essentially the handle. These knives are available both right-handed and left-handed versions. German pairing knives are a mix of the other styles.

They feature a long blade with a curved end, offering the versatility and agility of a curved blade along with a straight portion that extends up until it reaches the handle, made of a well-finished wood.

Rotary cutters are tools with circular blades that can be continuously pushed or pulled to make cuts into fabrics, leathers, and many materials. Since the blades rotate, they can cut along curves very easily, making them a great option for more complex designs.

Rotary cutters also cut straight lines very well, usually when used with a straight edge as a guide. Blades are as share as other knife style blades, and can be sharpened often and replaces when necessary.

This is a great tool when looking for something beyond a fixed blade knife. Cut-resistant gloves help protect the wearers hand from cuts when working with or around sharp knives. The level of cut resistance can vary based on the materials, methods of manufacture, and intended level of protection. They would be a recommended addition to your leather working tool kit, where both or one can be work, whenever appropriate.

For example, if the right hand is holding a cutting knife and the left holding the leather, maybe wear a cut resistant glove on the left hand as that will be nearer the cutting blade. Leather strap cutters are a hand-held, wooden device with a mounted leather blade that cut long leather straps from larger pieces of leather and hide. For example, if you want to make a belt from a large leather hide, a strap cutter can be used to cut off a long length of leather in a consistent thickness.

It can also be used for making leather laces. There is a means to adjust the thickness of the preferred cut, usually marked with measurements for easy reference. Blades must be kept sharp, and are replaceable if needed. Once the thickness is set, the leather is lined up and manually pulled through. As that happens, it is cut in the thickness set, and the result is the original big piece of leather, and a strap in just the width you want it.

There is a classic design of this that has been around for years that is very common and useful. When doing higher-volume or repetitive strap cutting, a machine is available to definitely help. These come in both manually operated versions hand crank and electrically-powered versions. The width of the cut is set, the leather positioned, then mechanically drawn through the cutter resulting in straps or laces just the way you need them.

These are definitely more expensive than the hand-held strap cutters, though likely worth it if you plan on doing a lot of work that involves straps or laces. They can be held in the air while cutting, or rested on the cutting surface while making the cut. Leather cutting scissors are usually made with strong, sharp blades that can smoothly handle thinner and thicker leathers when cutting. The thumb can comfortably rest in the smaller hole. Sometimes shears are intended to rest on and flow along the cutting surface for smooth, stable cuts.

Leather cutting scissors are usually made with strong, sharp blades that can smoothly handle the thinner and thicker leathers that require a bit of heft when making cuts. They are usually small, only a few inches long, with small, very sharp blades. Their size allow them to get into tough-to-reach places and angles, who their sharpness will shear the thread leaving a crisp end without frays.

Lacing cutters are specialized versions of strap cutters, in that they are intended only for lace cutting smaller widths of leather. This is good for most straps and strips that will be used for laces, belts, braiding lace, fringe, and tie-straps. Lacing cutters come in both hand-held, and table-top versions. The table-top versions usually secure to the table, making it easier to pull the lacing through. This is especially helpful with more frequent or high volume work.

A clicker press is a tool that applies tremendous force to a small area in order to cut out designs in leather. They fit on a tabletop, have a base, usually several cutting board surfaces, and a lever that drives the press. Due to leverage, when the lever is pressed by hand, it generates literally tons of force onto a very small ares through a die.

The dies are metal, and pre-formed into a shape. For example a rosette, a shape, or even wallet pieces. The benefit of a clicker press, with its related dies, is that a specific cut in leather can be done much faster than by hand. They can also effectively cut through thicker leathers with ease.

Clicker presses are relatively expensive, though for the leather worker that is producing similar products in volume, it can certainly help with scale, productivity, and efficiency. Leather cutting dies are pre-formed, metal shapes with a sharp cutting edge, used to cut shapes out of leather. They are laid on top of leather material, and struck with a maul, mallet, or hammer. The force drives the sharp edges into the leather, resulting in a cut out piece in the shape of the die.

Dies are helpful when one finds themselves cutting many of a similar pattern out by hand. An example is a wallet maker with a great design. They need many pieces to produce a lot of wallets, though cutting them out one by one by hand can be time consuming. Leather cutting dies can be custom made to any shape or size. Generally they can be put into a clicker press for even easier cutting, or manually stuck by hand. Leather paints, dyes, and finishes help turn leather into some many incredible products.

From the uncolored hyde, or un-dyed finished leathers, the possibilities are endless when considering what your final piece can look like. Leather dyes are pigments used to change the overall color of leather. Paints are generally used as accent colors on locations such as edges. Finishes can be both visually appealing, to transparent and protective, helping the leather to wear well and last longer. Wool daubers are little balls of wool attached to a wire handle.

Daubers are great for dipping into leather dyes and finishes, then rubbing onto the leather surface to apply the dye or finish. The wool picks up an amount of dye or finish depending on how deeply it is dipped. It then offers an amount of control over where the dye or finish is placed on the leather piece and how evenly it is applied. For smaller leather pieces, dauber are a great choice as an applicator. Leather edges need to be finished after cutting, in order to strengthen the edge and protect the leather inside.

Usually, burnishing is done to seal the edge. For additional protection, and mainly visual appeal, edge paint can be applied. Edge paint covers the edges of leather goods and items, sealing the inside of the edge, and providing a pleasant finish to look at once it dries. Some leather crafters use this to create contrast with the leather piece. Others use it to blend the edges in. Edge paint are available in a wide variety of colors.

Leather deglazer is a chemical combination that is used to prepare leather for dyeing. Processed leathers, or even finished leather goods, often come with protective finishes on them. Deglazer, once applied to the leather, helps strip away the existing finish and any additional residues or chemicals underneath it.

With previous finishes removed, the leather is ready to be dyed a different color, or have a different finish applied. Deglazers are usually highly toxic and require outdoor ventilation for safe use. For best results when dyeing leather, a crafter can usually always dye darker, though not lighter.

For example, one can dye a vegetable tanned belt gray. Then brown. Then black. In general, dyeing leather requires proper ventilation to ensure a safe working environment.

Alcohol-based leather dyes penetrate the leather deeply, so the color goes beyond the surface. The colors are usually vibrant. However, after the dye is applied and the alcohol dries, it takes some of the moisture out of the leather along with it.

Leathers dyed with alcohol-based types when then usually benefit from application of a leather conditioner to restore some of that pliability and the oils within the piece. Often, dyed leathers are coated with a finishing coat, to seal in the dye, prevent it from rubbing off, and protect the leather overall. Oil-based leather dyes penetrate the leather deeply, so the color goes beyond the surface.

Since these dyes are oil-based, less moisture is pulled from the leather when drying than with alcohol-based dyes. Alcohol-based dyed leather when then usually benefit from application of a conditioner to restore some of that pliability before a finish is added. However, they are generally less toxic than the other types. As with most dyed leather, even though these dyes include moisture, it can be helpful to coat with a leather finish after dyeing. This will help protect the color from rubbing off, and protect the leather from excessive wear.

Leather wax is a wax, or oily compound that is used as a leather finisher. It often is blended with oils and conditioners. When applied to the leather, it helps add moisture and also protect the surface from daily use. Usually after applying, the leather wax is buffed out to a shine matte or gloss depending on the formulation. It leave a smooth, protective surface over the leather that is resistant to dirt, grim, and water. An edge paint roller is a uniquely designed paint applicator for adding paint to leather edges.

Some products have very fine edges, such as wallets and watch bands. Other project have larger edges such as briefcases and bags. Using a small paint brush to apply paint is do-able, though requires detailed concentration and an even application across a usually long surface. In comes the edge paint roller. The tip is dipped into the paint, and then rolled across the leather edge. This leaves an even, consistent layer of paint.

Edge paint rollers can be cleaned, reused, and are definitely a helpful leather working tool for someone that prefers and performs a fair amount of edge painting. Edgers and bevelers are tools used to shave the square edges off of leather. This is both for functional an aesthetic purposes. Functionally, it removes the sharper square edges and leaves a more rounded edge to the leather.

This makes it less likely to catch on other items during daily use. The rounded edges are also more comfortable on items that are handled frequently such as belts and wallets. Aesthetically, the rounded edges on leather are generally more pleasing to the eye. They soften the look and also make it easier to seal the edges when they are burnished or edge-painted. Edgers and burnishers come in many different shapes, sizes, and styles. One thing to keep in mind is that not all edgers are sized in the same way.

A particular size from one brand or manufacturer might not match that from another manufacturer. In general, it is important to keep the edges sharp to ensure smooth, clean cuts. The bisonnette edge beveler is a beveling tool that has a rounded cutting hole towards the tip. While most edgers have a uni-directional cutting edge that needs to be pushed away from the body to make a cut, this one can be either pushed or pulled due to the circular cutting hole. This makes it a convenient option for edging.

They come in various sizes, so preference on edger operation, and cutting size will help determine if this works well for you. The common edge beveler is, well, the most common beveler type. It features a v-shaped blade with a rounded center, perfect for taking the edges off of leather pieces. These are a standard leather working tool, and work great across so many projects.

Available sizes vary greatly, as well as qualities and handle materials. The push header is a more specialized tool used mainly in leather carving and decorative leather working. They can usually be either pushed or pulled. French edge bevelers feature a more square-shaped scoop edge.

They can be used for some edging work, though also work well for gouging or skiving. Generally they are universal and can be used either right-handed or left-handed. Wheel bevelers are used to efficiently bevel patterns into the leather.

They have a rotating metal wheel on the end of a wooden handle. The wheel is generally imprinted with a pattern or design that then rolls into the leather when pushed or pulled. They can be a handy tool that make beveling decorative patterns much easier. These edgers are a type of general leather edger, great for both straight and curved cutting. The edger marks are sometimes visible when using the common bevelers.

The tabletop strap edger works similar to other edgers, though it gives more consistent results. The tabletop edger has two sets of blades that each edge an opposite of a leather strap. The blades are set, and strap pulled through as they edge. Leather finishing tools are used primarily to refine the edges of leather work. When cut, the natural fibers inside leather are exposed. This is generally unpleasing to the eye, and also exposes the leather to faster wear and damage from moisture.

Finishing the edges helps to smoothen and seal the fibers. This makes the edges stronger, protects the leather, and is more visually appealing.

For my detailed article on finishing tools, click here. Sandpaper can be used on newly cut leather to smoothen the edges. The roughness of the sandpaper wears down the loose fibers, shortening them and creating a more dense, smoother surface. This is usually achieved by using coarser sandpapers that are rougher, and working down to finer sandpapers that leave a tighter edge.

Sandpaper is available is many variations, most commonly grit size. Grit size refers to the size of sand grains on the paper. Coarser grits have a lower number for example, 50 , while finer grits have a higher number for example, Sanding blocks are blocks of material, usually wood or plastic, with sandpaper attached.

It can make it easier to hold and rub across the leather when attached to something that fits well into the hand. Sandpaper is relatively inexpensive and is quite useful for leather finishing. Beeswax is a natural wax produced by bees. It has numerous functions in leather working, including leather finishing. It can be used to condition leather, and also applied as a protectant that provides water resistance and in some cases water proofing properties. Beeswax can also be applied to the edges of leatherwork to form a strong barrier.

It protects the underlying leather and provides a smooth finish. Warming the wax during application helps it flow into the leather for effective adhesion, while also allowing it to be shaped during burnishing.

This is a versatile finishing substance that most crafters will find use for depending on the project. Burnishing gum is a substance with similar to properties to beeswax. It is used to coat the edges of leather work to protect the underlying leather and seal the edge from outside elements and wear. Burnishing gum also leaves a smooth, shiny surface on the leather edge that is quite visually appealing. While beeswax is more commonly used, burnishing gums offer alternative options with sometimes different properties.

Canvas material pieces can be used, similar to sandpaper, to abrade the edges of leather. Carnauba wax is a formula that can be applied to leather. It is usually a blend of waxes and conditioners. When applied, it serves to condition the leather while also providing a protective layer that helps resist dirt, grime, and moisture.

The wax is usually put on by hand, then buffed to a shine. I frequently get asked.. I frequently get ask.. Ideal for.. This stool seat is made from supple 3. If the Celtic Dogs design isn't to you.. Stool Components - Leather seat with Celtic Dogs design. If the Green Man design isn't to your.. Stool Components - Leather seat with Green Man design.

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Our leather working supplies are used on all sorts leather and products. They are commonly used as handbag making tools, purse making tools, and all other craft making supplies. If there is something specific you are in need of please give us a call.

We strive to produce great hardware that lasts while meeting and exceeding regulatory requirements. Some restrictions. Buckleguy Catalog is here! Click Here to View. Home Tools. Please see our leather working tools below:. Quick view. Barry King, Stitch Groover Handle.

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