Books and Resources to Start Strong
Reading from experienced leatherworkers will save you months of trial and error. The right books teach you fundamental techniques, help you avoid costly mistakes, and show you how successful makers actually run their businesses. These resources cover everything from hand-stitching basics to pricing your work properly.
The Art of Leather Crafting by Carson Grill
This book covers the foundational techniques you need to produce quality work—edge finishing, tooling, stamping, and dyeing. Grill explains the reasoning behind each step, which helps you understand why certain methods work better than others. It’s the kind of book you’ll reference repeatedly as you build your skills.
Shop The Art of Leather Crafting on Amazon →
Leather Braiding by Bruce Grant
If you plan to offer braided or woven leather products, this is essential. Grant’s detailed instructions and illustrations make complex braiding patterns accessible. Even if braiding isn’t your primary focus initially, the techniques expand your product range and justify premium pricing.
Shop Leather Braiding on Amazon →
Hand Dyeing Leather by Katherine Blakeney
Custom colors are a major selling point for leather goods. This book teaches you how to achieve consistent, professional dyes and finishes without expensive equipment. Learning to dye means you can create one-of-a-kind pieces and charge accordingly.
Shop Hand Dyeing Leather on Amazon →
The Leatherworker’s Guide to Small Business by James Crowell
Technical skill doesn’t automatically translate to a profitable business. Crowell covers pricing strategies, managing materials costs, scaling production, and marketing handmade leather goods online. This book addresses the business side that many craftspeople neglect.
Shop The Leatherworker’s Guide to Small Business on Amazon →
Equipment You Need
Quality tools directly affect your output and your ability to charge premium prices. Leather work requires precision, and the right equipment makes that precision achievable. Start with essentials and add specialized tools as you develop your product line.
Cutting Tools
- Rotary cutter and self-healing mat: Essential for straight, clean cuts on leather pieces. A rotary cutter with a sharp blade prevents fraying better than utility knives.
- Cutting ruler or straightedge: Metal rulers prevent blade damage and ensure accurate measurements across all pieces.
- Utility knife or craft knife: For detail cuts and trimming. Keep blades sharp—dull blades tear leather instead of cutting cleanly.
- Leather shears: Specialized for curved cuts and detailed work where a rotary cutter won’t work.
Shop cutting mat and rotary cutter on Amazon →
Stitching and Fastening Tools
- Edge beveler: Smooths cut edges before finishing. This single tool makes your work look professional.
- Stitching chisels or pricking irons: Create evenly spaced holes for hand stitching. The consistency these provide is impossible to achieve freehand.
- Mallet: Works with stitching chisels to drive them through leather evenly. A rubber or rawhide mallet won’t damage tools.
- Waxed thread: Holds stitches longer than regular thread and looks intentional in design.
- Needles (assorted sizes): Hand stitching requires the right needle size for your thread weight and leather thickness.
- Snap and rivet setting tools: If you’re adding hardware, a snap setter and rivet setter are non-negotiable for durability.
Shop stitching chisel sets on Amazon →
Finishing and Treatment
- Edge finish or slicker: Creates smooth, burnished edges without additional products. A bone slicker costs $10–20 and pays for itself immediately in finished appearance.
- Leather dyes: Water-based or spirit-based dyes give you color control. Start with a basic set and expand as you develop your palette.
- Finish sealant: Protects dyes and leather from water and UV damage. This extends the life of your products and reduces returns.
- Leather conditioner: Keeps finished pieces supple and prevents cracking during storage.
Shop bone slickers on Amazon →
Layout and Measurement
- Flexible measuring tape: For measuring curved pieces and final dimensions.
- Marking tools: Pencils, chalk, or specialized leather markers that don’t leave permanent marks.
- Pattern templates: For recurring items like bag bottoms or belt widths, templates save time and ensure consistency.
Workspace Setup
- Work table: Needs to be flat and sturdy. Many leatherworkers use 4×8 plywood on sawhorses as a cost-effective solution.
- Storage for leather and hides: Acid-free storage keeps leather from deteriorating. Simple shelving works—the goal is keeping leather flat and dry.
- Lighting: Bright, focused light prevents mistakes and reduces eye strain during detail work.
What to Buy First vs Later
Your startup budget is limited, so prioritize tools that directly create finished products. Add specialized equipment only when you have orders requiring it.
- First (Month 1): Cutting mat, rotary cutter, ruler, stitching chisels, mallet, waxed thread, needles, edge beveler, bone slicker, and basic dyes.
- Second (Month 2–3): Snap and rivet setters, additional thread colors, leather conditioner, marking tools, and pattern templates for your bestsellers.
- Third (Month 4+): Specialized tools for expanding your product line—stamping tools if you’re doing custom designs, braiding equipment if that’s a future offering, or a press if production volume justifies it.
New vs Used Equipment
Buy cutting and stitching tools new. These wear out with use, and a dull rotary cutter blade or worn stitching chisel compromises your work quality. A $15 rotary cutter that lasts two years is better than a $8 used one that struggles after six months. Cutting tools are inexpensive enough that buying new is the better investment.
Used equipment makes sense for larger items. A used work table or storage shelving works fine at a fraction of the cost. Check Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and local woodworking shops for deals on work benches and storage solutions. Used leather and hides are also acceptable if they’re in good condition—inspect carefully for mold, stains, or dryness that will cause problems during production. New leather is more reliable when you’re starting out and trying to establish consistent quality.
Where to Buy
- Tandy Leather: Specializes in leather craft supplies. Their physical locations let you see and feel tools before buying. They offer bulk leather hides at reasonable prices.
- Weaver Leather Supply: Known for quality tools and competitive pricing on supplies like stitching chisels and edge bevelers.
- Springfield Leather: Carries leather in various weights and finishes, plus a full range of dyes and finishing products.
- Local art supply stores: Often stock leather markers, measuring tools, and finishing supplies at prices competitive with online retailers.
- Leather tanneries: If you have tanneries in your region, buying directly from them often offers better prices on bulk leather than retail shops.
- Online suppliers: Amazon, Etsy’s supply section, and specialized leather sites offer convenience, though shipping can be slow for heavy items like leather hides.