Leather Craft..... Tools, where to purchase in the UK?

[Silverclaws2]

And so it would seem the next craft I wish to teach myself is leather craft as at least something I can do indoors that doesn't risk burning the house down, (have always done non ferrous metalwork and some knife making), to have investigated online to conclude to avoid the ebay beginner's leather working tool kits, to need to ask where in the UK may I buy good quality leather working tools?

Where would folk recommend?

Of course I am starting small with a view to working up for my first job to be a simple cut and sew project, for sewing related tools to be my first purchase, so; sewing awl, needles, thread, stitch groover, over stitch wheel and burnisher, I have sharp things aplenty to not need to buy stuff for that.

 

[MrEd]

I use Tandy leather for my bits

 

[Broch]

I buy most of my leather and materials from Leprevo - it's a dreadful website and ordering system but the best source of leather and brass bits I have found.

Le Prevo Leather Homepage

Leather fittings and hardware wholesale and retail handcrafted

www.leprevo.co.uk

Others include:

Leather, Craft Tools, Products and Materials

Welcome to Identity Leathercraft. Leather, Leather Craft Tools, Products and Materials for people who make, mend or adapt things out of leather.

www.identityleathercraft.com

Tandy Leather

Leather materials and supplies for all crafters ranging from the hobby level to commercial.

tandyleather.eu

By the way, the leather punching chisels from China on ebay are excellent:

4pcs 4mm Leather Chisel Hole Punches Stitching Tool Prong Craft Sewing DIY Fork | eBay

Strong texture makes it difficult to distort and break. even punch holes in leather. -A sharp rhombus tooth is useful for fast and effortless drilling. -: 3mm / 4mm / 5mm / 6mm. -Quantity: 1 Set (4 Pcs).

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[demographic]

I got a kit off Ebay, think it was something like 20 quid but had various stitching punches, a skiver, stitching wheel spacer thing and a fair bit more.
The thing that cuts a slight trench clogged up quickly but everything else is fine and realistically even that was likely due to me being inexperienced with it.

 

[Wushuplayer]

does this seem like a reasonable kit for a beginner looking to get into leather craft? Axe masks, knife sheaths, sewing leather patches, simple projects.

25 Pieces Sewing Supplies Accessories Tools, Leather Craft Hand Stitching Sewing Tools : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen

Great prices on your favourite Home brands, and free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[Fadcode]

does this seem like a reasonable kit for a beginner looking to get into leather craft? Axe masks, knife sheaths, sewing leather patches, simple projects.

25 Pieces Sewing Supplies Accessories Tools, Leather Craft Hand Stitching Sewing Tools : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen

Great prices on your favourite Home brands, and free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

For the price of the kit, and taking into account the OP is new to leatherwork I would say that may be the way to go, sounds reasonable to me, and gives a good idea of the kit they may need when they gain proficiency, may I also suggest they knock up a stitching pony, quite easy to do(you tube) and a very handy tool.

 

[Minotaur]

I have bought the stuff and still barely used it which is apparently a thing as all crafts have 2 parts buying the stuff and using the stuff. I would normally suggest Walsall Leather Museum as a starting place however it going to be at least 3 to 6 months before you could go there.

I would decide what you want to make and then buy the minimum to make it. I would also watch videos of people doing what you want to ask they all have little tips and tricks. They also are all pro or against different things. Think it Armitage who recommends a lot of Amazon Japanese stuff and small suppliers who sell plastic cutting patterns.

Normally I would go with the Adam Savage's advice of buy cheap and then replace with expensive however some Leatherwork tools it easier to buy medium to start with as you will never replace it like Japanese stitching irons.

Getting Started with Leather Craft - Basic Tools by CHARTERMADE. His videos are brilliant and he a knife maker. Best saddle stitch video I have seen.

Top 25 Recommended Leatherwork Tools by Ian Atkinson who's videos are also really good.

Armitage Leather is also really good for tool and kit guidance and how to videos.

Finally Harry Rogers' video on how to make a belt is the first thing I am going to make.

I noticed that all of these are Brits or European. The US videos are great to watch however a lot of them have a 'This Old House' feel in that you wonder were to buy that machine?

 

[Wushuplayer]

may I also suggest they knock up a stitching pony, quite easy to do(you tube) and a very handy tool.

I was also looking at one on Amazon but they look pretty flimsy. There are so many designs on Youtube, ones which are fixed, ones which swivel, table top, under thigh! Any one you would recommend?

 

[Broch]

This is one I knocked together last year; having used it for a while there are a couple of modifications to make but it works well enough:

 

[Wushuplayer]

I have bought the stuff and still barely used it which is apparently a thing as all crafts have 2 parts buying the stuff and using the stuff.

Yeah that is so true. I should really put a post in the wanted forum for leather tools.
Thanks for the links.

 

[Wushuplayer]

This is one I knocked together last year; having used it for a while there are a couple of modifications to make but it works well enough:

View attachment 63446

That looks great, I like the quick release system, is that from a bicycle wheel? May I ask, what would you modify?

 

[Broch]

That looks great, I like the quick release system, is that from a bicycle wheel? May I ask, what would you modify?

Yep, well spotted; it's a quick release bike wheel axle.

I would make the top, the bit that holds the workpiece, less bulky so there's less stuff in the way of reaching it. I've also got to replace the nut on the left with a wing nut - otherwise it's fine

 

[Wushuplayer]

Is there a hinge at the base of the left arm, do you find it opens enough?

 

[Broch]

No there isn't and one would probably be useful but I don't work on anything thicker than 6mm (2 x 3mm leather) so there's plenty of flexibility in the arms.

 

[Tengu]

I would follow Minotaurs advice and get only the tools you need for the job you want to do.

and the right leather, -stamping tools are no good on chrome tanned.

You will spend far more on leather than you ever will on tools.

 

[Ch@rlie]

I have not been on this site in ages, only recently taken interest in using a PC again, I can say if you download the "Joom Ap" on your phone (dont know if theres same Ap for Pc) there are many leather tools on there if you use the search feature, at very reasonable prices...
you will wait a few weeks for them, most I have purchesed have been pretty good. most have been fairly sharp but bare in mind you need to fettle all tools to work how you want them too.

 

[Silverclaws2]

Well, to say I have not yet bought leather craft tools, not sure why, dawdling I guess, of which isn't me at all and also well I got drawn off on another project, to learn tablet weaving, but through ways and means I have found myself back at leather work to be again looking into it with a view to purchasing only the tools I need for in fact several projects for I have been collecting ideas for things to make over the past few months.

But a question concerning needles and thread, I am still perplexed, what size needles and what thread to be recommended for pouches, sheaths, belts, how do I go about selecting the right sizes, to order?

And is Tandy leathercraft still a place to buy tools as I've heard some stuff about it closing down. To have found a vendor called Identity Leaher Craft recommended in their place, anyone know anything of this?

 

[leon-1]

Well, to say I have not yet bought leather craft tools, not sure why, dawdling I guess, of which isn't me at all and also well I got drawn off on another project, to learn tablet weaving, but through ways and means I have found myself back at leather work to be again looking into it with a view to purchasing only the tools I need for in fact several projects for I have been collecting ideas for things to make over the past few months.

But a question concerning needles and thread, I am still perplexed, what size needles and what thread to be recommended for pouches, sheaths, belts, how do I go about selecting the right sizes, to order?

And is Tandy leathercraft still a place to buy tools as I've heard some stuff about it closing down. To have found a vendor called Identity Leaher Craft recommended in their place, anyone know anything of this?

What are you thinking about making as it has an influence on what you are buying.

Soft thin leathers may require glovers needles, but veg tan, for harder leathers you will need harness needles (Size 1 John James harness needles).
You will require an awl, for hard leather you are better off using a rhombic awl than a clickers awl or the like.
If you are looking at making a sheath or a pouch you will need pricking irons, either 5 or six to an inch is normally pretty good.
Beeswax is a must, especially if you are stitching hard leather with linen threads, if you can't get beeswax then use a good clear boot polish. (That was a good tip from Toddy).
Use a leatherman or needle nosed pliers for pushing or pulling needles through leather. Use a craft knife or stanley knife for cutting thicker leather, scissors or a cutting wheel will work on thinner leather.
A stitch groover for heavy leathers will be good to recess your stitching.

For burnishing the edges of hard leather you can use any hard smooth surface, I have used bic biro's and spoons amongst other things.

18/3 linen thread is a good multipurpose thread, but as a natural fibre it is more susceptible to abrasion. Ritza braid known as tiger thread is pre waxed and a good alternative.

 

[Ch@rlie]

For Saddlers Harness Needles (blunts for hand stitching) I prefer John James number L3912 size 003 & 004 are same size i believe, I personally prefer to use those.
However 002 are slightly longer and a fraction thicker from memory most people on youtube seem to say 002.
Goto the John james website and order direct they literally cost a couple of quid for pack of 25 needles.

Thread, polyester is stronger than linnen threads either buy pre waxed or wax it your self.
my first sheath was sewn with polyester fishing braid, after that I purchased 1mm pre waxed flat braided polyester from ebay,

hope this helps.

just read the post above, if you goto a diy shop look for the cheap small pliers without any grips in the jaws, these wont damage your needles while pulling through, any marks on needles makes it harder to drag through.
if you purchase an awl spend time polishing it to a good shine makes pushing through leather alot easier instead of hard work.

 

[Silverclaws2]

Excellent stuff, thanks again, where it is further to my saying I was only to get the tools needed for the projects in mind I had already decided on;

Yeah the diamond cross section stitching awl, ( already have round and square section awls)
edge groover,
overstitch wheel,
edge bevel,
edge burnisher,
needles and thread ,

where I reckoned to via the overstitch wheel punch the holes with the awl, to start with, for pricking irons to perhaps come later, when I know more of what I'm doing. to know what I need.

Sharps; I have plenty to choose from, from scalpels, to craft knives and a rotary knife, also a razor thin and sharp leather knife I have had since the mid nineties when my first foray into leatherwork was making battle re-enactment kit, where incidentally that lot was sewn together with beeswax infused linen I got off a cobbler, using sail making needles and I do have a sail makers palm.

Books, I have a copy of Stohlman's ; ' The Art of hand sewing leather '

But thanks on the info regarding needles as that was a particular sticking point. So over the next few days I will be getting together a list and start getting familiar with the suppliers websites.

And ordinarily I am a small metals smith of sorts for all my tools to be polished to be well used to that satisfying activity, the awl will go the same way.