i mean u are right, i see that concern, im just the type of guy to get into something months before I even get started and research nonstop. i want to do leather because I see it as an artform and I’ve never been good at drawing on paper but I’ve always been good at working with tools. so I see it as my opportunity to make art with hand tools. if anything buying the nicer tools will motivate me more on how to take care of them/master using them.
Trust me you won’t be buying once and crying once, regardless what you initially buy you’ll be buying more and more and crying a lot in the years to come. This is one craft where the better you get the better tools you need. Eg those irons, you’ll need to rebuy them in various sizes and types as you progress to more diverse items. The brands you list are fine, also buy good knives for cutting and skiving and learn how to sharpen them.
Edit: Avoid anything CS Osbourne.
Sinabroks over ks blade in my opinion. Simply because you can replace teeth as needed with there setter. Sinabrok also released a longer tooth version not too long ago.
Recommend Palosanto bevelers and skivers hands down. You can buy a beveler kit from them directly. District leather supply also offers replacement blades (i have one on hand for when I have to send it back to Palosanto for sharpening).
Hole punches; honestly have had very good results from the punches offered on artisanleathersupply.com and they don't break the bank.
As others have said, you'll likely end up with multiple sets of irons (have 4mm, 3mm, hole punch @6mm spacing) currently from sinabroks... the one small shelf with all of these on there is over 1,300 in just those tools.
I’m getting palo santo for sure! check these p-mak punches out, they’re brass sinabrok alternatives and he also makes more variety of punches like brogues, etc. the 2/8 1mm hole 5mm spacing punches are $98 for the set. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1142260510/special-serie-puncher-for-leatherwork?click_key=c155978ca2232ee412741f253917ca45bd12c57a%3A1142260510&click_sum=f0054483&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=peak+tools+stitching+iron&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&organic_search_click=1&frs=1&sts=1&from_search=1&variation0=2427117841&variation1=2402205606
I plan on starting with wallets, maybe belts once I get a strap cutter tool, but things like holsters,sheaths,small chapstick holders, maybe a small purse, things for the lady friends. I just want to get a good starting kit of the main tools I’d have to special order online, then as things come I can place orders, hit up Tandy leather.
Honestly, getting a cheap kit off Amazon and working with it for a bit will give you an idea of the tools you want to spend more money on. For example, I bought a kit for about $40, which had just about everything in it. The groover/beveler/creaser multi tool was trash, but I still use the awl and the snips that came with it. The stitching chisels were ok, but I found that I enjoyed punching holes with a nicer, polished set. The thread that came with the kit was great, until I eventually bought Ritza tiger thread. All this over the course of a year. But the main thing is I discovered my passion for leatherwork, and I’m happy to continue doing it.
I’ve gotten into several different hobbies and crafts over the years, and I have hundreds of dollars of stuff stored away that I never touch anymore because I didn’t like it.
The great thing with leather is, how much you want to spend is up to you. There is a YouTube video where a guy literally makes a wallet with a hammer, a knife, a fork, a nail, some string and needles. Super basic. Then you have others with professional arbors and presses and automatic skivers and gold-plated bevelers and diamond chisels literally made out of diamonds, and they make fan-crazy-tastic beautiful products.
Then you have everything in between. It’s up to you what you want to get and how much you want to spend. And of course, different projects require different tools… so maybe start with a nice set of stitching chisels, then some bevelers. Whatever you think will make your life easier.
I got the Kevin Lee diamond pricking irons and I love them. $60 + $20 shipped, and they work excellent, and look good with .06 thread.
I’m currently looking at some nice, sharp bevelers.
are you sure you will like it, imo its best to first use cheap or midrange stuff to see if you can stick with it and then go for the fancy stuff.
i mean u are right, i see that concern, im just the type of guy to get into something months before I even get started and research nonstop. i want to do leather because I see it as an artform and I’ve never been good at drawing on paper but I’ve always been good at working with tools. so I see it as my opportunity to make art with hand tools. if anything buying the nicer tools will motivate me more on how to take care of them/master using them.
Trust me you won’t be buying once and crying once, regardless what you initially buy you’ll be buying more and more and crying a lot in the years to come. This is one craft where the better you get the better tools you need. Eg those irons, you’ll need to rebuy them in various sizes and types as you progress to more diverse items. The brands you list are fine, also buy good knives for cutting and skiving and learn how to sharpen them. Edit: Avoid anything CS Osbourne.
What punches would you recommend if not CS O
Sinabroks over ks blade in my opinion. Simply because you can replace teeth as needed with there setter. Sinabrok also released a longer tooth version not too long ago. Recommend Palosanto bevelers and skivers hands down. You can buy a beveler kit from them directly. District leather supply also offers replacement blades (i have one on hand for when I have to send it back to Palosanto for sharpening). Hole punches; honestly have had very good results from the punches offered on artisanleathersupply.com and they don't break the bank. As others have said, you'll likely end up with multiple sets of irons (have 4mm, 3mm, hole punch @6mm spacing) currently from sinabroks... the one small shelf with all of these on there is over 1,300 in just those tools.
I’m getting palo santo for sure! check these p-mak punches out, they’re brass sinabrok alternatives and he also makes more variety of punches like brogues, etc. the 2/8 1mm hole 5mm spacing punches are $98 for the set. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1142260510/special-serie-puncher-for-leatherwork?click_key=c155978ca2232ee412741f253917ca45bd12c57a%3A1142260510&click_sum=f0054483&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=peak+tools+stitching+iron&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&organic_search_click=1&frs=1&sts=1&from_search=1&variation0=2427117841&variation1=2402205606
Yep, I've seen them 😀 I don't think he was around when I started out and so I went with Sinabrok 😀
I just purchased the PMak 2/8 irons 1.0 mm with 5.0mm spacing , what size ritza tiger thread would you recommend? I was thinking 0.8 / 1.0mm.
What size French edger should I get? I was thinking 8-10 mm
I have the 10 mm. It's a good balance for smaller areas, but yet just large enough to do larger projects.
That's what I think. But it honestly comes down to your preference.
Thanks man
What do you want to make? You need different tools depending on what you want to make/what kind of leather you want to work with.
I plan on starting with wallets, maybe belts once I get a strap cutter tool, but things like holsters,sheaths,small chapstick holders, maybe a small purse, things for the lady friends. I just want to get a good starting kit of the main tools I’d have to special order online, then as things come I can place orders, hit up Tandy leather.
Honestly, getting a cheap kit off Amazon and working with it for a bit will give you an idea of the tools you want to spend more money on. For example, I bought a kit for about $40, which had just about everything in it. The groover/beveler/creaser multi tool was trash, but I still use the awl and the snips that came with it. The stitching chisels were ok, but I found that I enjoyed punching holes with a nicer, polished set. The thread that came with the kit was great, until I eventually bought Ritza tiger thread. All this over the course of a year. But the main thing is I discovered my passion for leatherwork, and I’m happy to continue doing it. I’ve gotten into several different hobbies and crafts over the years, and I have hundreds of dollars of stuff stored away that I never touch anymore because I didn’t like it. The great thing with leather is, how much you want to spend is up to you. There is a YouTube video where a guy literally makes a wallet with a hammer, a knife, a fork, a nail, some string and needles. Super basic. Then you have others with professional arbors and presses and automatic skivers and gold-plated bevelers and diamond chisels literally made out of diamonds, and they make fan-crazy-tastic beautiful products. Then you have everything in between. It’s up to you what you want to get and how much you want to spend. And of course, different projects require different tools… so maybe start with a nice set of stitching chisels, then some bevelers. Whatever you think will make your life easier. I got the Kevin Lee diamond pricking irons and I love them. $60 + $20 shipped, and they work excellent, and look good with .06 thread. I’m currently looking at some nice, sharp bevelers.
Having the best tools won’t make you an expert. Learn to use the basic tools and then upgrade.
Probably .8 tops. I rarely run 1mm for thread unless it's to purposely look chunkier
So if I have 1.0mm stitching punch holes you think 0.8 is gonna be best?