Leather Tools
The Tools
The Uses Of The Tools
This is a very sharp tool that is used for cutting leather. When used with a metal ruler you can make very straight edges. This cutter can be used on both leather and fabric. It is important to always keep the guard on this otherwise it is an exposed blade which is extremely Sharpe.
Rotary Cutter
Awl
The awl is used from marking holes in the leather as it can easily pierce through the tough leather. It can also be used to widen pre existing holes.
Prong Punch
This tool is used for making the holes in leather for sewing. It creates a consistent stitch length. In contract to piecing, where the leather is stretched. Instead, this tool cuts through the leather making a lot nicer hole. You can purchase several varieties of this punch with different spacings and different shapes of holes.
Metal Hole Riveter
This allows me to crimp a metal insert making holes in the leather sturdier and better looking. I have used this tool to join two bits of leather together. You can get several varieties this one being the cheaper, weaker version.
Metal Popper Riveter
This tool working in a simpler way to the tool above but instead of a hole it is a popper. The poppers have a metal ring that goes on each side of the leather and locks together. The problem with this is there is not a spring in the popper which means that they aren't very strong at holding on to themselves. So I usually don’t use them because they are not very good but agene with the money I could get some better ones.
Leather Gouge
These are v-shaped gouges that gouge away the top layer of the leather. They can be used when sewing so that the stitches are flush with the rest of the leather. This tool can also be used to cerate decoration on the surface of the leather. I believe they work better on vegetable-tanned leather compared to the softer leather I have.
Waxed Thread
A very very strong thread, I have hade to apply a grate force to this stuff before and it has never snapped. To finish off sewing with this I use a lighter to melt the thread ends together.
Hole Punch
Instead of using the awl to make a hole that will retract with time. I use this to cut larger holes, this punch cuts away holes in the leather, removing material. I would use this for making a hole to then use the metal hole riveter.
Adjustable Stitch Groover
This tool Is intended to be used for making a groove running along the edge of leather for sewing so that the stitches lay flush with the rest of the leather. The problem with this tool Is that because I am using the softer leather it doesn't work very well and does not cut the groove so instead, I would use the gouge to do the same job.
Stitching Wheel
This is used for marking out stitch hole when using the awl method of sewing. The wheel rotates and punctures the leather making a mark.
Sewing Awl
This is a very useful tool. Normally to sew leather I would need two needles and sew from both sides of the leather, creating a very strong joint but it takes a grate deal of time to do this. The awl allows me to duel sow. it works simmer to a sewing machine. Also having the added benefit of an awl connected. This means that I can easily find the sewing holes and all I need to do is go though each hole once. Definitely a missive time saver.
Japanese Style Skiving Knife
This is intended to be used as a way of thinning the edges of leather. For doing this it needs to be very sharp. But yes you may have guessed it because I am using softer leather it doesn't work very well because the leather is to elastic.
Wax
This is used for adding wax to the edge of a leather joint by doing this it creates a nice smooth finish.
Burnisher
This is used for heating up the applied wax on the edge of leather by causing friction. This cerates the smooth edge.
