Do you want to learn leathercraft but don't know which tools to choose when starting out? We've listed the essential tools for you!
Based on your desires and needs, choose your first tools with the help of this guide.
To go further in creating your own leather projects, we offer a comprehensive blog with guides, tutorials, and videos. We update it regularly, so feel free to check it out!
VIEW THE BLOG >
DECO CUIR TOOL KITS
We've drawn on our experience to offer you essential leathercraft tools in several starter kits.
TO LEARN THE RIGHT TECHNIQUES
Do you want to learn saddle stitching, machine sewing, edge finishing, tool sharpening...? Browse our free technical guides (with videos) on our blog or invest in books. We are absolutely in love with the book by Atelier Haptique "Techniques de sellerie-maroquinerie" (Saddlery and Leather Goods Techniques). With this book and its diagrams, you are sure to learn the right techniques!
For making leather goods from patterns, we also invite you to browse our blog or we recommend the "URUKUST" books.
THE ESSENTIALS FOR ANY CREATION
| CUTTER | SILVER PEN | TRACER MODELING TOOL | STAINLESS STEEL RULER |
| Basic tool for cutting leather, even the thickest, neatly and precisely. | To trace patterns on mineral-tanned leather. Erasable with a crepe eraser. | Modeling tool, used to trace a design or transfer markings onto vegetable-tanned leather. | Essential tool for measuring and tracing a template on leather. |
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| CUTTING MAT | WOOD, PLASTIC OR POLYMER MALLET |
CUTTING BLOCK | GRANITE SLAB |
| Self-healing support for cutting leather pieces with a cutter. | Useful for leather stitching, attaching accessories, and embossing. | Rigid cutting support resistant to impacts, especially when using punch tools. | Support for embossing work or for hammering stitches (no rebound). |
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| CONTACT ADHESIVE | BEESWAX BLOCK | LEATHER SCRAPS |
| Quickly assemble and glue pieces of leather or other materials (wood, plastic, ...). | To wax sewing thread or finish leather edges. | Prioritize leather scraps for learning/practicing leathercraft. |
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Water-based glue is generally used for small creations that will not be in contact with water (weather, outdoors). Neoprene glue, on the other hand, is preferred for leather goods creations (handbags, travel bags, etc.) that may come into contact with rainwater.
GUIDE: do you want to know more about different leathers and their uses?
VIEW THE GUIDE >
MAIN CUTTING TOOLS
HOW TO CUT LEATHER?
Leather is cut with a cutter or a leather knife, ideally on a cutting mat to avoid damaging your work surface. To achieve a perfectly straight cut, the tool must be held at a 90° angle to the leather. Do not hesitate to use your index and middle fingers to guide the cutting tool. Cutting can be done by following a line with a square and a ruler, or freehand for the more experienced. It is essential to change your blade regularly to keep a sharp tool.
| ROTARY CUTTER | ADJUSTABLE COMPASS CUTTER | ESSENTIAL LEATHER KNIFE & SHEATH |
| Precisely cut leather, very useful for curved cuts. | To cut circles or curved shapes from 1 to 15 cm in diameter. | Precious tool for cutting leather. High resistance steel blade. |
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| SKIVING KNIFE | STRAP CUTTER | LACE CUTTER |
| For thinning leather. Practical for assemblies and to avoid excessive thickness. | For cutting straps, bands, and belts from 3 mm to 10 cm. | To make your own leather laces. Practical for leather braiding. |
 VIEW THE GUIDE > |
 VIEW THE GUIDE > |
 VIEW THE GUIDE > |
| REVOLVING PUNCH PLIERS 6 HOLES | STRIKING PUNCHES | ALL LEATHER PUNCHES |
| Punch leather effortlessly and silently. Various hole diameters. | Easily punch leather before attaching accessories, stitching, or lacing. To be used on an Ertalon plate. | There is a multitude of punches, of all shapes and sizes. VIEW THE SECTION > |
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HAND STITCHING LEATHER
Saddle stitch is the most popular stitch among leather lovers because it is the strongest stitch. To learn more, check out our guide with video:
SADDLE STITCH GUIDE >
| FOLDING SADDLE CLAMP OR PONY |
SET OF 3 STRIKING PRONGS |
DOUBLE-FUNCTION CREASER |
| Acts as a "third hand" to hold the piece to be sewn during saddle stitching. | Mark stitches evenly (2-prong, 5-prong, and 10-prong chisels). | To draw a stitching line parallel to the edge or create a decorative groove. |
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| ROUND AWL | AWL WITH DIAMOND / LOZENGE | JOINER'S HAMMER: RIVET HAMMER |
| To start and finish a saddle stitch: enlarge the holes. | To pierce the leather with the correct angle during stitching. | To tap seams, mark creases, and form the leather. |
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| STAINLESS STEEL THREAD CUTTER | LINEN THREAD | ROUND-TIPPED SADDLER'S NEEDLES |
| To cut the thread flush and finish the seam. | Various diameters and colors. On cards or spools. | Leather saddle stitching is done with 2 round-tipped needles. |
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SEE THE GUIDE TO MACHINE LEATHER SEWING >
CARVING
Carving is the process of creating a raised design on vegetable-tanned leather. It involves creating a pattern on the leather using simple-shaped tools.
LEARN CARVING >
THE DICTIONARY OF STAMPING TOOLS >
| SWIVEL KNIFE | BEVELER STAMPS | MALLETS / MAULS |
| Allows for incising the leather to give relief to the desired pattern. | To give relief to patterns on vegetable-tanned leather. | Mallet with perfect balance and a cylindrical head for striking stamps. Greatly reduces shock and prevents rebound. |
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EMBOSSING
Embossing is the transfer by pressure of an existing pattern onto leather. The marking is done using a metal tool.
| LETTER AND NUMBER SET | 3D STAMPS | EMBOSSING ROLLER |
| To mark text or a word on vegetable-tanned leather. SEE THE GUIDE > |
Strike patterns to decorate and sculpt leather creations. | Mark regular patterns on leather. |
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DYEING VEGETABLE-TANNED LEATHER
| WATER-BASED DYE | ALCOHOL-BASED DYE | NEATSFOOT OIL | RTC - BEE NATURAL LEATHER CARE |
| For dyeing vegetable-tanned leather. Water-based dyes are ideal for beginners: they limit the risk of marks. | For dyeing vegetable-tanned leather. Very penetrating dyes with vibrant colors and good durability. | To nourish and protect vegetable-tanned leather. May slightly color the leather. | Pore filler and fixatives for carved leather SEE THE GUIDE > |
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EDGE FINISHING
| TRAGACANTH GUM | TOKONOLE | EDGE BURNISHER | ROLLER PEN FOR DYEING |
| Finishing gum for smoothing and shining the edges of vegetable-tanned leathers. On the flesh side, the gum helps to bond the leather fibers. SEE THE GUIDE > |
Japanese finishing gum for smoothing and shining the edges of vegetable-tanned leathers. On the flesh side, the gum helps to bond the leather fibers. SEE THE GUIDE > |
To burnish leather edges by heating the finishing gum. | To easily apply dye or finishing gum to the leather edge. |
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| EDGE FINISH | ABRASIVE SPONGE | EDGE BEVELER |
| Edge finish (paint) for all types of leather. | For sanding leather edges. | To break the sharp edge of a piece of leather to make the edges rounder. |
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ATTACHING ACCESSORIES
| INSTALLATION KIT | ACCESSORY SETS | BENCH PRESS |
| Plate and striking handle for attaching accessories to leather. | Essential for correctly attaching different types and sizes of accessories. 2 types of dies: for press or for pliers/striking handle. | Effortlessly attach snap fasteners, eyelets, and rivets with a perfect crimp. |
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DIFFERENT WAYS TO ATTACH ACCESSORIES TO LEATHER >
SHARPENING TOOLS
| LEATHER STROP | POLISHING PASTE | EDGE BEVELER SHARPENING |
| Sharpen cutting tools for a perfect edge. | For sharpening cutting tools. Product to be applied on the strop. | For sharpening EASY edge bevelers. |
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