Would you like to learn leatherworking but don't know which tools to choose to get started? We have listed the essential tools for you!
Depending on your interests and needs, choose your first tools with the help of this guide.
To learn more about making your own leather creations, 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
Drawing on our experience, we have put together several starter kits containing the essential tools for leatherworking.
LEARN THE RIGHT TECHNIQUES
Would you like to learn saddle stitching, machine stitching, edge finishing, tool sharpening... Browse our free technical guides (with videos) on our blog or invest in books. We absolutely love the book by Atelier Haptique "Techniques de sellerie-maroquinerie". With this book and the diagrams it contains, you are sure to learn the right techniques!
To make your own leather goods from patterns, we invite you to discover our book featuring 12 technical guides and 35 small leather goods and accessories tutorials from our blog. You will find detailed explanations to learn, step by step, the essential techniques of leatherworking.
We also recommend discovering the books in the URUKUST collection, which offer other approaches and inspiration to guide you in your leather creations.
THE ESSENTIALS FOR ANY CREATION
| CUTTER | SILVER PENCIL | TRACING MOLDING TOOL | STAINLESS STEEL RULER |
| Basic tool for cutting leather, even the thickest, cleanly and precisely. | Trace patterns on mineral-tanned leather. Erasable with a crepe eraser. | A molding tool that allows you to trace a design or transfer stitch marks 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 MARBLE |
| Self-healing support for cutting leather pieces with a cutter. | Useful for leather sewing, attaching accessories, and tooling. | Rigid cutting support resistant to impacts, especially when using strike-through punches. | Support for tooling work or striking stitches (working without bounce). |
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| CONTACT ADHESIVE | BEESWAX BLOCK | LEATHER SCRAPS |
| Quickly assemble and glue pieces of leather or other materials (wood, plastic, ...). | For waxing sewing thread or working leather edges. | Use leather scraps to learn/practice leatherworking. |
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Water-based glue is generally used for small creations that will not come into contact with water (weather, outdoors). Neoprene glue, on the other hand, is preferred for leather goods creations (handbags, travel bags....) that may come into contact with rainwater.
GUIDE : want to know more about different leathers and their uses?
VIEW THE GUIDE >
THE MAIN CUTTING TOOLS
HOW TO CUT LEATHER?
Leather is cut with a cutter or a knife, ideally on a cutting mat to avoid damaging your work surface. To get a straight cut, the tool must be held at 90° relative to the leather. Do not hesitate to use your index and middle fingers to guide the cutting tool. The cut can be made by following a line using a square and a ruler or freehand for the more experienced. It is essential to change the blade regularly to keep the tool sharp.
| ROTARY CUTTER | ADJUSTABLE CUTTER COMPASS | ESSENTIAL KNIFE & SHEATH |
| Cut leather precisely, very useful for curved cuts. | For cutting circles or rounded shapes with a diameter of 1 to 15 cm. | Valuable tool for cutting leather. High-resistance steel blade. |
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| SKINNING KNIFE | STRAP CUTTER | LACING CUTTER |
| To thin leather. Practical for assemblies and to avoid excess thickness. | For cutting straps, bands, and belts from 3 mm to 10 cm. | For making your own leather laces. Practical for creating leather braiding. |
 VIEW THE GUIDE > |
 VIEW THE GUIDE > |
 VIEW THE GUIDE > |
STRIKE-THROUGH PUNCHES
| REVOLVER PUNCH 6 HOLES | STRIKE-THROUGH PUNCH | ALL STRIKE-THROUGH PUNCHES |
| Punch leather effortlessly and quietly. Several hole diameters. | Easily punch leather before attaching accessories, sewing, or lacing. Use on an ertalon board. | They come in a multitude of strike-through punches, in all shapes and sizes. VIEW THE RANGE > |
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HAND-SEWN LEATHER
Saddle stitching is the most appreciated stitch by leather lovers because it is the strongest stitch. To learn more, check out our guide with video:
SADDLE STITCHING GUIDE >
| FOLDING SADDLE STITCH PINCER OR VALET |
SET OF 3 STRIKE-THROUGH CLAWS |
DOUBLE-FUNCTION PRICKER |
| Serves as a "third hand" to hold the piece to be sewn at the time of saddle stitching. | Mark stitch lines evenly (claws with 2, 5, and 10 teeth). | For tracing a stitch line parallel to the edge or making a decorative line. |
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| ROUND AWL | PUNCH AWL / DIAMOND | JOINER'S HAMMER: RIVOIR |
| To start and finish a saddle stitch: enlarge the holes. | To pierce the leather at the correct angle when sewing. | To strike the seams, mark the folds, and shape the leather. |
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| STAINLESS STEEL THREAD CUTTER | LINEN THREAD | ROUND-END SADDLE STITCH NEEDLES |
| To cut the thread flush and finish the stitching. | Available in several diameters and colors. In card cases or on spools. | Saddle stitching leather requires two round-end needles. |
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SEE THE GUIDE TO MACHINE-SEWING LEATHER >
TOLE
Tole is the process of creating a raised design on vegetable-tanned leather. It involves creating a design on leather using simple-shaped tools.
LEARN TOLE >
| OPENING KNIFE / SWIVEL KNIFE | BEVELERS | MALLETS / MAULS |
| Allows you to cut into the leather to create a raised design. | Create raised designs on vegetable-tanned leather. | Mallet with perfect balance and a cylindrical head for striking stamps. Significantly reduces shock and prevents bounce-back. |
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EMBOSSING
Embossing is the pressure transfer of an existing design 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 designs to decorate and sculpt leather creations. | Mark regular designs on leather. |
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VEGETABLE-TANNED LEATHER DYEING
| WATER-BASED DYE | ALCOHOL-BASED DYE | BEEF TALLOW OIL | RTC - BEE NATURAL LEATHER CARE |
| To dye vegetable-tanned leather. Water-based dyes are ideal for beginners: they reduce the risk of streaks. | To dye vegetable-tanned leather. Highly penetrating dyes with bright colors and excellent long-lasting results. | To nourish and protect vegetable-tanned leather. May slightly color the leather. | Pore fillers and fixatives for embossed leather SEE THE GUIDE > |
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EDGE WORK
| ADRAGANTE RUBBER | TOKONOLE | EDGE BURNISHER | ROLLERBALL PEN FOR DYE |
| Finishing rubber to smooth and shine the edges of vegetable-tanned leather. On the flesh side, the rubber helps bond the leather fibers. SEE THE GUIDE > |
Japanese finishing rubber to smooth and shine the edges of vegetable-tanned leather. On the flesh side, the rubber helps bond the leather fibers. SEE THE GUIDE > |
To burnish the leather edges by heating the finishing rubber. | To easily apply dye or finishing rubber to the leather edge. |
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| EDGE FINISHING | ABRASIVE SPONGE | EDGE BEVELER |
| Edge finishing (paint) for all types of leather. | To sand the leather edges. | Break the sharp edge of a leather piece to make the edges more rounded. |
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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 the different types and sizes of accessories. 2 types of dies: for press or for pliers/striking handle. | Effortlessly attach snap buttons, eyelets, and rivets with a perfect fit. |
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THE DIFFERENT WAYS TO ATTACH ACCESSORIES TO LEATHER >
TOOL SHARPENING
| STROPPING WITH LEATHER STRIP | POLISHING PASTE | SHARPENING FOR SKIVING TOOLS |
| Sharpen cutting tools for a perfect edge. | For sharpening cutting tools. Product to apply to the strop. | For sharpening EASY skiving tools. |
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1 comment
Cynthia
Vraiment très ravie d’avoir parcouru votre site,