Minimum tools to do leather work.

[Don Armstrong]

I am wanting to put a few leather grips on with lacing, build a crude quiver, and possible make some broadhead covers. What are the least amount of tools I will need to buy and where is the best source. Thanks, Don

[Stumpkiller]

Leather shears are a blessing, but a sharp knife will do.  A diamond cross-section awl is a big plus for punching thread holes.  Two leather needles.  For fancy a stitch chisel (puts four holes at once in a line - looks professional but a luxury).  You can burnish the edge of the leather with the side of a screwdriver shaft.

You also need a good lacing material - artificial sinew or sailmakers twine.

I got all my stuff at Tandy Leather.  Don't even know if they are still in business.

[Pat B]

I've always used a utility knife for leather work. Keep the blade sharp with a good stone. Lacing needles are handy. There are a couple of varieties of them. An awl is handy to for making stitching holes and you can easily make one with an old ice pick or small screw driver sharpened to a triangular point. Stitching chisels are very handy. I have a few; with 3 points, 4 points and 8 points. These space the sewing holes precisely. A rawhide mallet is used for these stitching chisels.
  Leather boot laces works well for lacing leather together and a lacing needle comes in handy for this...but is not necessary. Lately I have been using heavy artificial sinew for sewing leather. With this I use a harness needle(s). Harness needles have a dull point so pre punching holes is necessary. Either an awl or the stitching chisels both work for this.

[Encino Man]

I use a utility knife for cutting out the pattern, a stitch marking wheel for marking the location of the holes and for punching the holes I've been using a modified finish nail with a chisel point filed on it. I put it in my drill press and use it as a arbor press. To help release the leather off of the nail, I just swipe a little wax on as needed. You can use sand paper to smooth the edges and anything from the screwdriver mentioned above to an antler or edge burnishing wheel from Tandy (And yes , they are still in business) along with bee's wax for a smooth edge. Just get some scraps and practice the punching and sewing in advance.

For my traditional stuff I just have two needles and a spool of artificial sinew to sew everything together.

[KyleAllen]

1. sharp knife
2. thread of some kind ( i use artificial sinew), 3. large needles ( from walmart)
4. leather punch ( i make mine from cheap screw drivers. Just grind them to the shape you want. All i use is a pin point and a small chisel point.)

[wbyrd]

About three weeks ago I decided I wanted to do the same thing as you. Fortunately for me there is a Tandy leather store not far from work. I picked up a sewing awl for stitching, an overstitch wheel system for marking the stitching pattern, a thonging chisel set for punching the holes for sewing, a rivet setter, and an eyelet setter. I also bought a cheap rotary punch from the local hobby store but it failed after only a few uses so I'm looking for a more heavy-duty one now. Also next on the list are the diamond hole punch mentioned above, some sharp leather shears, and a bunch of different stamps so I can decorate the stuff I make.

So far I've made a couple of string keepers, a bow limb tip protector, an arm guard, and a finger tab. I just look on the internet to get ideas for patterns and try to make the stuff myself. The next thing I'm going to make is a back quiver.

I also found a pretty good website for getting leather, laces, hardware, etc ... brettunsvillage.com. I bought a side of leather for $75 and it should be plenty to make a couple of back quivers, arm guards, and more finger tabs. I also got a bundle of 10 leather laces that are 6ft long, a gross of hand sewing threads, and a package of rivets. All the prices seemed pretty reasonable, and the best part is they offer free shipping.

Hope this helps in your endeavor!

[JEFF B]

a knife to cut the leather a nail to punch the holes and a needle plus sinew. and ya good to go  

[portugeejn]

Pick up some single edge razor blades.  At the risk of starting an argument, I have had better experiences with the made in USA blades than the imported blades .  They cost a bit more, but are worth it.  Some kind of punch, a couple needles and some thread or sinew.  I used to lay out my holes with a ruler, and drill them with a small bit or finishing nail punch.

RonP

[Don Armstrong]

Thanks guy. I have a lot of option now. Don

[don s]

i get my supplies from an e-bay store. leather and leather craft supplies. the seller is breckenridgebabe. everything you need is at this store.

[YORNOC]

Tandy leather is going strong, and has really good prices, and free online tutorials.

[Jim Dahlberg]

Those of you who plan on doing long cuts on leather should look into a rotary cloth cutter.  It is a round blade mounted in a plastic handle that is sold at fabric/craft type stores.  You can lay a straight edge on the piece you want to cut and follow the straight edge with the cutter for a perfect long cut.  I have used mine for many years without having to change the blade by always cutting on a 2"X4" lengthwise as the underlayment for the cut.  I have cut through 2 layers of heavy leather at the same time with ease.  It's the only cutter I use except for tight round corners.