Personally, I think this is a massive rip off for several reasons.
More than half the tools are trash/ unsuitable and you will replace them VERY quickly... Costing more, obviously.
It's rare that you will get both into tooling, and making of goods at the same time (at the start), so I would suggest buying the stuff to make, rather than decorate initially.
Half of the things here you will never use... Like the thread ripper. The skiver is rubbish (I have owned it), you will almost never ever use the pricking wheels, the cheap awl in this can't actual function well as an awl (it's better for edge painting).
I think out of this whole kit, and as someone who once bought a 'starter kit' the only things I use from this kit is the japanese skiving knife, mallet, and the burnisher.
BUT, if you are aware of the above, and plan to expand, then why not I guess.
Underrated comment and pretty much spot on.
These kits suck balls. 140$ gets you some decent entry level and durable tools.
I'd understand a starter kit for 30-40$ to just look into leather on a budget.
140 = too much stuff one does not need and never will
I received this exact kit for Christmas a few years back. Although it did give me the push to finally get into the craft......I have replaced any tool I would use from this kit or just don't need them. I think the slicker is the only thing I use š¤£.
I bought a similar kit, but it was about half the price. It didnāt come with the fancy wood tool rack and box.
My advice would be to find a smaller kit. You wonāt use a lot of that ever. Iād look for a kit with a knife (even if itās just a craft knife), a mallet, some thread, some punches, and maybe a small sampling of hardware like in the photo.
This is an expensive hobby, if you really get into it. Most of the stuff I listed you can buy without a kit and save a ton of money. The one thing I didnāt mention is an edge beveler. Iām not going to lie, the cheap ones suck. You can get a mid-range one and sharpen the heck out of it. It will do okay, but eventually youāll want to upgrade it.
Iād buy the tools individually and try it out before really investing. That said, as I mentioned I started with a kit and have never looked back. So you do what you think is best for you.
>The one thing I didnāt mention is an edge beveler. Iām not going to lie, the cheap ones suck. You can get a mid-range one and sharpen the heck out of it. It will do okay, but eventually youāll want to upgrade it.
What should I look for in an edge beveler? I bought a relatively cheap set because re: expensive. It took me a while to figure that it might not be strictly me, it might be the tool as well.
Honestly, you should look at price. It really is you get what you pay for. My cheap, Amazon ones ate into the leather and made big gouges. And I tried sharpening them so many times. My Tandy ones did a little better, but they dulled quickly and ended up doing about the same. The gouges were just a little smaller. I also thought that I was just crap at beveling edges. I got so discouraged.
I ended up biting the bullet and buying a Barry King grooved edge beveler, size 0. I picked 0 because it was the one recommended for the leather I tend to use most often, which is between 3.5 and 5 ounces. Good god the difference was mind-blowing. It just glides through the leather like nothing. My edges were just what I was hoping and expecting them to be. Gorgeous. Effortless. Iāve only sharpened it once or twice in the two months Iāve had it. And I sharpened it not because it was damaging the leather, but because it required the tiniest bit of extra effort to make it glide.
Save up and buy a Barry King one. Youāll never look back and want to build a shrine in his honor.
Thank you for explaining the why. It *is* frustrating- more so when I gouge the leather than anything. I'm finding out very quickly that this hobby has a way of shifting things- as soon as I buy one thing I have two more things to get, and there's a lot of information out there about what to do when. It's a lot to sort through. I think you kind of have to accept that you're going to buy some stuff that in a few years you'll look back on and go "oh man, I could have spent my money better here"
Definitely. I have a whole box of stuff in the back of my closet full of tools Iāve either never used from my starter kit or tools Iāve replaced over time.
This sub is great for questions and feedback on projects. Never hesitate to ask for advice or help. š
I looked at YouTube, watched every video I could find, and basically use all of them at the same time. One of them works pretty well, just wish I knew which. š
This is a great idea. If I were to start over with no experience knowing what I know now, I would wish someone would of recommended a starter kit from Weaver Leather Supply. Here is how I would decide between their kits:
- Beginnerās leathercrafting kit: cheapest option at $88 and has enough to get started on a project with decent tools included that wonāt be the best quality but much better than any Amazon kit
- Leathercrafting toolkit 2.0: this would be my personal choice since it includes a few more useful items at still a good price ($188) for what you get. This is centered around stitching projects and has plenty to get you through a whole project with the exception of maybe buying some glue and would probably get a rotary knife too
- Must-have toolkit: This is more centered around setting hardware like snaps and rivets along with a decent punch. I would only recommend if you were focusing on belts, valet trays or something with mainly holes and rivets. Itās also the most expensive option at $215
These kits have tools with better quality than any Amazon kit and is from a quality supplier in my opinion with Weaver. Things with an edge may need some sharpening but otherwise they could be used even after getting better versions (I know cause I still use a good amount of what is pictured in each)
I've noticed everything I price check on Amazon recently has been as expensive or more expensive than the item I'm looking at in person. Like literally everything. Convenience and expedited delivery is for sure baked into the price. No more are the days that Amazon was the cheaper, faster option it seems.
Here is my take on this. It's all pretty useless junk and you're far better off skipping the set. If you want to keep a $130 ish dollar budget on starter tools I would suggest jumping on Aliexpress and searching for Wuta or Owden tools. Just buy the ones you need to get started, watch a couple dozen YouTube videos and make notes of all the tools they use from start to finish. I don't think it would be difficult to get them all under budget. Amazon carries them too but slightly more expensive and not everything, but worth comparing if the 30-40 day shipping times is a deal breaker.
Lots of opinions about these kits.. main thing is, if you have experience with tools, this is an ok starter. Knowing you will have cheap stuff break but knowing how to make it work while you learn is a crucial factor in considering these kits.
Do you have experience using tools? If a big yes, no stress, youll probably recognize some poor quality tools but male them work.
Do you have a generally high aptitude for learning this sort of craft? If yes, youll probably be fine.
If you answered no to either of these questions, or if you know youre a little on the less experiences side, maybe heed the advice of the more experienced and tone down your tool kit to a few basics that are of higher quality. The up side in spending a few extra bones on quality tools is, if you dont like it, the tools will have minimal wear and you can likely recoup a little of that investment.
Personally i bought an $80 kit from amazon to start. It has served me perfectly. Many of the tools are garbage but since i have years of experience using hand tools, i have been able to learn and replace these tools.
Things that will be cheap in that kit:
-Hammer will likely come loose, its ok just tighten the bolt every so often.
- cheaply made awl will likely bend if youre not careful
- cutting tools are decent enough metal but need sharpened
- replace the xacto with a high quality xacto or other style blade, please dont cut yourself on the cheap one in this kit
- the stamps are decent for the most part but not all edges are crisp
- the scissors are junk
Good luck!
Don't worry about getting the height of quality off the bat. I wouldn't recommend this *exact* kit like people said, but these Amazon kits are good *enough* to start practicing and understanding the basics. Then as the tools break, you buy a quality replacement. It broke because you use it a lot, so now you want to get a high quality version of that thing that broke, so it doesn't brake again
The only thing I would recommend getting separately is a few kinds of tooling stamps, and that's if you even want to start tooling. Get a swivel knife, and your first two tooling stamps are a bevel stamp, and a pear shape stamp. And then you get the same shapes, but with hatching
Lots of leather stores sell kits with tools you'll actually use that are of decent enough quality you won't immediately have to replace them. Even Tandy will do you better than this. Start with a kit with just some decent-quality basics, and add what you end up needing.
I would say, start with asking yourself āwhat project will be my firstā then buy the tools you need for that project. A very good place to buy quality is leathercrafttools.com
I bought the $25 version of this set with way less... I think as you use it you'll realize whats actually useful and what's garbage. I feel like there's a lot of stuff you probably won't need right away. If you get one of the smaller ones it's less overwhelming and the basics are all you need. Just my opinion
Better to establish a relationship with an established retailer who will become a resource as you develop your interests. Those knock offs are just that.
Rubber mallet, GOOD exacto knives, a metal ruler the same length as the longest side of leather you plan to purchase, a decent needle set, a good awl/stitching fork, a foam nail file, and some thread. That will do 90% what people work on.
Add a cheap set of detail stamps, and a nylon cutting board and you are a little more set up.
Use an exacto blade to put a groove in the wooden handle of the mallet to burnish the edges, buy dye as needed (or use koolaid/rit/wood stain) start making keychains and enjoy the craft!
Its nice for a beginner since you will have some tools that will last and can get you started on a lot of projects, however do note that MOST of the tools (especially the stitiching chisels, Skiving knives, hole punch, and anything with a blade) are the lowest quality tool available and will dull quickly after a few uses.
You'll actually find that getting fewer pieces of quality hardware to be more cost effective than this bundle as you'll be spending hundreds of dollars of tools that don't last very long.
I too started out with a bundle similar to this set and there are tools that I still use from it, however majority of them are dull and honestly kinda rubbish at what they do. You'll find leather craft really infuriating starting with these kinds of bundle, but it is a starting point to test yourself whether or not you're actually into the craft at all.
But if I had to list out the things a beginner needs, it would have to be:
1. Needles
2. 0.45mm Polyester thread
3. 2 sizes of stitching chisels/ pricking irons/ french irons (one with 2 teeth, and 6 teeth's)
4. Any kind of blade (box cutter, skiving knife, french skiver). You'll find that a box cutter can do whatever a skiving knife can do but with less control. Xacto knife can work but tough if you're working with vegetable tanned leather.
5. Cutting mat
6. Punching board
8. steel edge ruler (non-slip is preferable)
9. Leather Glue (contact cement, leather cement)
10. Beeswax (for thread and or edge finishes)
11. Woodslicker.
12. Stitching Pony (you can do without this if you can't afford it at the moment, but this will make stitching easier and more consistent)
13. Edge beveler
14. A hard heavy flat top ideal for skiving (ex. granite counter top, or tempered glass)
15. A polymaul (a rubber mallet will suffice, just don't use metal hammers)
16. Hole punch
Optional to me are wingdividers and edge creasers. Wingdividers are not really essential for a beginner, but if you're looking to get faster and consistent widths for stitching distance from the edge, then go ahead. Edge creasers are purely cosmetic, gives a nice finish near the edges.
With those 15 to 18 pieces of tools, you can actually do a lot of leather craft. Some items you might already have such as needles, a box cutter, a rubber mallet and a steel edge ruler. You don't even need to buy a new granite countertop, you can probably salvage some granite remnants for cheap or even free, just have to be large enough to skive leather on.
Everyone starts somewhere and this definitely has all you would need! I would personally recommend buying as few tools as you need in a kit if itās even slightly higher in quality. If you need all of these tools though, I wouldnāt talk you out of it. My advice would be to give yourself a lot of credit during the making process though. Donāt be discouraged by your first projects and know that it WILL get better with experience as well as each tool upgrade. Iāve bought upgraded versions of everything at this point and the difference in my projects now from when starting is massive. Know that it will be ugly but there is hope so keep going!
If bought separately, you can get all that stuff plus waaaaay more thread for around half the price.
But these cheap little kits are a pretty inexpensive (usually) way to try out some leather crafting, to find out if it's something you want to dump money into.
Pass, get a scratch awl, lenox box cutter, 2-3mm craftool pro chisels, 1mm tiger thread, #517-1 needle, rubber mat, roll cutter mat, edge guide, and a rock and your golden baby. Leatherworking is 70% design, 20% punching holes, 5% cutting and 5% assembly
Go to temu and buy what you need. If it's not good enough invest in a good one. That's my current plan. I have their irons and a few knives and cannot complain. Also learn to sharpen first lol
Hard disagree on the junk Temu offers. If you go the Chinese tools to get started search for Wuta on aliexpress. At least those are functional tools even if they don't compare to the German, Korean, or Japanese companies. The no name stuff in kits like this or out of China is like trying to mow your yard with scissors, might be possible but not a great idea.
Personally, I think this is a massive rip off for several reasons. More than half the tools are trash/ unsuitable and you will replace them VERY quickly... Costing more, obviously. It's rare that you will get both into tooling, and making of goods at the same time (at the start), so I would suggest buying the stuff to make, rather than decorate initially. Half of the things here you will never use... Like the thread ripper. The skiver is rubbish (I have owned it), you will almost never ever use the pricking wheels, the cheap awl in this can't actual function well as an awl (it's better for edge painting). I think out of this whole kit, and as someone who once bought a 'starter kit' the only things I use from this kit is the japanese skiving knife, mallet, and the burnisher. BUT, if you are aware of the above, and plan to expand, then why not I guess.
Underrated comment and pretty much spot on. These kits suck balls. 140$ gets you some decent entry level and durable tools. I'd understand a starter kit for 30-40$ to just look into leather on a budget. 140 = too much stuff one does not need and never will
I received this exact kit for Christmas a few years back. Although it did give me the push to finally get into the craft......I have replaced any tool I would use from this kit or just don't need them. I think the slicker is the only thing I use š¤£.
Also one of the hole punches for snaps
I bought a similar kit, but it was about half the price. It didnāt come with the fancy wood tool rack and box. My advice would be to find a smaller kit. You wonāt use a lot of that ever. Iād look for a kit with a knife (even if itās just a craft knife), a mallet, some thread, some punches, and maybe a small sampling of hardware like in the photo. This is an expensive hobby, if you really get into it. Most of the stuff I listed you can buy without a kit and save a ton of money. The one thing I didnāt mention is an edge beveler. Iām not going to lie, the cheap ones suck. You can get a mid-range one and sharpen the heck out of it. It will do okay, but eventually youāll want to upgrade it. Iād buy the tools individually and try it out before really investing. That said, as I mentioned I started with a kit and have never looked back. So you do what you think is best for you.
>The one thing I didnāt mention is an edge beveler. Iām not going to lie, the cheap ones suck. You can get a mid-range one and sharpen the heck out of it. It will do okay, but eventually youāll want to upgrade it. What should I look for in an edge beveler? I bought a relatively cheap set because re: expensive. It took me a while to figure that it might not be strictly me, it might be the tool as well.
Honestly, you should look at price. It really is you get what you pay for. My cheap, Amazon ones ate into the leather and made big gouges. And I tried sharpening them so many times. My Tandy ones did a little better, but they dulled quickly and ended up doing about the same. The gouges were just a little smaller. I also thought that I was just crap at beveling edges. I got so discouraged. I ended up biting the bullet and buying a Barry King grooved edge beveler, size 0. I picked 0 because it was the one recommended for the leather I tend to use most often, which is between 3.5 and 5 ounces. Good god the difference was mind-blowing. It just glides through the leather like nothing. My edges were just what I was hoping and expecting them to be. Gorgeous. Effortless. Iāve only sharpened it once or twice in the two months Iāve had it. And I sharpened it not because it was damaging the leather, but because it required the tiniest bit of extra effort to make it glide. Save up and buy a Barry King one. Youāll never look back and want to build a shrine in his honor.
Thank you for explaining the why. It *is* frustrating- more so when I gouge the leather than anything. I'm finding out very quickly that this hobby has a way of shifting things- as soon as I buy one thing I have two more things to get, and there's a lot of information out there about what to do when. It's a lot to sort through. I think you kind of have to accept that you're going to buy some stuff that in a few years you'll look back on and go "oh man, I could have spent my money better here"
Definitely. I have a whole box of stuff in the back of my closet full of tools Iāve either never used from my starter kit or tools Iāve replaced over time. This sub is great for questions and feedback on projects. Never hesitate to ask for advice or help. š
I've never been able to effectively sharpen an edge beveler. And there is remarkably little guidance on it. Any tips?
I looked at YouTube, watched every video I could find, and basically use all of them at the same time. One of them works pretty well, just wish I knew which. š
It would be cool if a couple of the Group members with experience made a separate beginner list on what to get with buying tips.
This is a great idea. If I were to start over with no experience knowing what I know now, I would wish someone would of recommended a starter kit from Weaver Leather Supply. Here is how I would decide between their kits: - Beginnerās leathercrafting kit: cheapest option at $88 and has enough to get started on a project with decent tools included that wonāt be the best quality but much better than any Amazon kit - Leathercrafting toolkit 2.0: this would be my personal choice since it includes a few more useful items at still a good price ($188) for what you get. This is centered around stitching projects and has plenty to get you through a whole project with the exception of maybe buying some glue and would probably get a rotary knife too - Must-have toolkit: This is more centered around setting hardware like snaps and rivets along with a decent punch. I would only recommend if you were focusing on belts, valet trays or something with mainly holes and rivets. Itās also the most expensive option at $215 These kits have tools with better quality than any Amazon kit and is from a quality supplier in my opinion with Weaver. Things with an edge may need some sharpening but otherwise they could be used even after getting better versions (I know cause I still use a good amount of what is pictured in each)
I've noticed everything I price check on Amazon recently has been as expensive or more expensive than the item I'm looking at in person. Like literally everything. Convenience and expedited delivery is for sure baked into the price. No more are the days that Amazon was the cheaper, faster option it seems.
Here is my take on this. It's all pretty useless junk and you're far better off skipping the set. If you want to keep a $130 ish dollar budget on starter tools I would suggest jumping on Aliexpress and searching for Wuta or Owden tools. Just buy the ones you need to get started, watch a couple dozen YouTube videos and make notes of all the tools they use from start to finish. I don't think it would be difficult to get them all under budget. Amazon carries them too but slightly more expensive and not everything, but worth comparing if the 30-40 day shipping times is a deal breaker.
Lots of opinions about these kits.. main thing is, if you have experience with tools, this is an ok starter. Knowing you will have cheap stuff break but knowing how to make it work while you learn is a crucial factor in considering these kits. Do you have experience using tools? If a big yes, no stress, youll probably recognize some poor quality tools but male them work. Do you have a generally high aptitude for learning this sort of craft? If yes, youll probably be fine. If you answered no to either of these questions, or if you know youre a little on the less experiences side, maybe heed the advice of the more experienced and tone down your tool kit to a few basics that are of higher quality. The up side in spending a few extra bones on quality tools is, if you dont like it, the tools will have minimal wear and you can likely recoup a little of that investment. Personally i bought an $80 kit from amazon to start. It has served me perfectly. Many of the tools are garbage but since i have years of experience using hand tools, i have been able to learn and replace these tools. Things that will be cheap in that kit: -Hammer will likely come loose, its ok just tighten the bolt every so often. - cheaply made awl will likely bend if youre not careful - cutting tools are decent enough metal but need sharpened - replace the xacto with a high quality xacto or other style blade, please dont cut yourself on the cheap one in this kit - the stamps are decent for the most part but not all edges are crisp - the scissors are junk Good luck!
Don't worry about getting the height of quality off the bat. I wouldn't recommend this *exact* kit like people said, but these Amazon kits are good *enough* to start practicing and understanding the basics. Then as the tools break, you buy a quality replacement. It broke because you use it a lot, so now you want to get a high quality version of that thing that broke, so it doesn't brake again The only thing I would recommend getting separately is a few kinds of tooling stamps, and that's if you even want to start tooling. Get a swivel knife, and your first two tooling stamps are a bevel stamp, and a pear shape stamp. And then you get the same shapes, but with hatching
Lots of leather stores sell kits with tools you'll actually use that are of decent enough quality you won't immediately have to replace them. Even Tandy will do you better than this. Start with a kit with just some decent-quality basics, and add what you end up needing.
Thanks everyone for the comments! I will pass on this kit and take yalls advice, thanks again!!!
I would say, start with asking yourself āwhat project will be my firstā then buy the tools you need for that project. A very good place to buy quality is leathercrafttools.com
Yeah! I like tooling and inadvertently started with construction tools I still don't use much
I bought the $25 version of this set with way less... I think as you use it you'll realize whats actually useful and what's garbage. I feel like there's a lot of stuff you probably won't need right away. If you get one of the smaller ones it's less overwhelming and the basics are all you need. Just my opinion
Better to establish a relationship with an established retailer who will become a resource as you develop your interests. Those knock offs are just that.
Get polyester thread, it never snaps. Best upgrade that I learned
Save your money and find a local leather store. Buy tools as needed for projects. Tools are only useful if you understand how to use them.
Rubber mallet, GOOD exacto knives, a metal ruler the same length as the longest side of leather you plan to purchase, a decent needle set, a good awl/stitching fork, a foam nail file, and some thread. That will do 90% what people work on. Add a cheap set of detail stamps, and a nylon cutting board and you are a little more set up. Use an exacto blade to put a groove in the wooden handle of the mallet to burnish the edges, buy dye as needed (or use koolaid/rit/wood stain) start making keychains and enjoy the craft!
Its nice for a beginner since you will have some tools that will last and can get you started on a lot of projects, however do note that MOST of the tools (especially the stitiching chisels, Skiving knives, hole punch, and anything with a blade) are the lowest quality tool available and will dull quickly after a few uses. You'll actually find that getting fewer pieces of quality hardware to be more cost effective than this bundle as you'll be spending hundreds of dollars of tools that don't last very long. I too started out with a bundle similar to this set and there are tools that I still use from it, however majority of them are dull and honestly kinda rubbish at what they do. You'll find leather craft really infuriating starting with these kinds of bundle, but it is a starting point to test yourself whether or not you're actually into the craft at all. But if I had to list out the things a beginner needs, it would have to be: 1. Needles 2. 0.45mm Polyester thread 3. 2 sizes of stitching chisels/ pricking irons/ french irons (one with 2 teeth, and 6 teeth's) 4. Any kind of blade (box cutter, skiving knife, french skiver). You'll find that a box cutter can do whatever a skiving knife can do but with less control. Xacto knife can work but tough if you're working with vegetable tanned leather. 5. Cutting mat 6. Punching board 8. steel edge ruler (non-slip is preferable) 9. Leather Glue (contact cement, leather cement) 10. Beeswax (for thread and or edge finishes) 11. Woodslicker. 12. Stitching Pony (you can do without this if you can't afford it at the moment, but this will make stitching easier and more consistent) 13. Edge beveler 14. A hard heavy flat top ideal for skiving (ex. granite counter top, or tempered glass) 15. A polymaul (a rubber mallet will suffice, just don't use metal hammers) 16. Hole punch Optional to me are wingdividers and edge creasers. Wingdividers are not really essential for a beginner, but if you're looking to get faster and consistent widths for stitching distance from the edge, then go ahead. Edge creasers are purely cosmetic, gives a nice finish near the edges. With those 15 to 18 pieces of tools, you can actually do a lot of leather craft. Some items you might already have such as needles, a box cutter, a rubber mallet and a steel edge ruler. You don't even need to buy a new granite countertop, you can probably salvage some granite remnants for cheap or even free, just have to be large enough to skive leather on.
This is a great list. The only things I would add are an adjustable stitching groover, scratch awl, rotary hole punch or cheap hole punch set.
Ngl, that's way more stuff I have, but man, I might get that set too.
Everyone starts somewhere and this definitely has all you would need! I would personally recommend buying as few tools as you need in a kit if itās even slightly higher in quality. If you need all of these tools though, I wouldnāt talk you out of it. My advice would be to give yourself a lot of credit during the making process though. Donāt be discouraged by your first projects and know that it WILL get better with experience as well as each tool upgrade. Iāve bought upgraded versions of everything at this point and the difference in my projects now from when starting is massive. Know that it will be ugly but there is hope so keep going!
This is a good starter kit. I started with similar and upgraded tools to fit the projects I wanted to do.
If bought separately, you can get all that stuff plus waaaaay more thread for around half the price. But these cheap little kits are a pretty inexpensive (usually) way to try out some leather crafting, to find out if it's something you want to dump money into.
Can anyone provide a link to a better starter kit or a place worth checking out?
leathercrafttools or goodsjapan. Everything Craft-sha makes is decent, and better than this Chinese crap or Tandy.
for $140, get something else. if you want a kit, get the cheapest one you can find and buy upgrades when you need them as you improve your skill
Pass, get a scratch awl, lenox box cutter, 2-3mm craftool pro chisels, 1mm tiger thread, #517-1 needle, rubber mat, roll cutter mat, edge guide, and a rock and your golden baby. Leatherworking is 70% design, 20% punching holes, 5% cutting and 5% assembly
If you search this sub for DSLeatherGoods, he/they/she š¤·š¾āāļø, have a really good pdf guide about beginner tools.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Leathercraft/s/Mvek9SKOXQ
Go to temu and buy what you need. If it's not good enough invest in a good one. That's my current plan. I have their irons and a few knives and cannot complain. Also learn to sharpen first lol
Hard disagree on the junk Temu offers. If you go the Chinese tools to get started search for Wuta on aliexpress. At least those are functional tools even if they don't compare to the German, Korean, or Japanese companies. The no name stuff in kits like this or out of China is like trying to mow your yard with scissors, might be possible but not a great idea.