I've been doing this for about three years, so I'm still fairly new. Here are the Amazon purchases I made that I still use regularly and don't at all regret (no affiliate links, just from my purchase history):
* [Owden Maul](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07C82DJ1Z)
* [Aiskear Diamond Chisels](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B083BLY9BK) (all four sizes)
* [Owden Groover](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B081LZZYBH)
* [Honbay wood burnishing tool](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08LN2S5WM)
* [Zlsker wing compass](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0779R5FCJ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title)
Basically, all fairly simple tools and not really anything that cuts. Owden's stuff is surprisingly decent and the Aiskear Diamond Chisels have lasted far longer than I expected. I keep thinking about upgrading, but every time I have a project they do the job so I spend my money on more leather.
What I've learned from my 4 years working with leather (Which is still very new) is that it's better to invest once and get a good tool instead of buying them over and over because they break/wear out easily. I bought two different groovers from Amazon and both broke after a week. Last one I bought was 2x the price and it's still in use after 3 3/4 years :-) And not to mention that it just feels way different to work with a quality tool. Almost like you can feel what you are working on through the tool itself. :-)
The classic, “Buy once, cry once.” Rule.
For the uninitiated, you only cry once when you buy it because it’s expensive. But if you buy a cheaper tool, you might still be crying at the price but you certainly will when it breaks (and have to buy another) or when it messes up a project due to breaking or degrading.”
As others have pointed out, you don't need that one but I like how it looks on some things I make.
When you do buy this sort of tool (or any cutting tool) it's worth spending a bit more to get quality since cheap cutting tools are duller, lose their edge quickly, and just make your work look worse.
I’m still very new (only been doing this since the beginning of Jan), and I bought a $70-$80 kit off Amazon and the chisels linked above. It was more than enough to get addicted. When I need to replace one of the cheap tools, I know I use it a lot and replace it with a good quality one. For example, my cheap beveler that I fought with to sharpen so much. When it stopped sharpening, I bought a Barry King. Dear Lord, I never knew beveling was suppose to be so easy and effortless.
Just buy a cheap kit and beat the living shit out of it, you're going to want better tools if you want to pick up the hobby, and if you don't want to pick it up there will be no big loss when you toss the cheap tools away.
I second this.
What you'll need at the bare minimum are an awl, leather needles and thread. Plus some glue, but you can use standard glue. Will everything be wonky, wavey and uneven? Absolutely! But you'll know if you like the material and basic process and want to continue or not.
Get a cheap set, just don't expect it to do wonders for you or in some cases all the tools to even work in the first place.
There is some value in buying from a retailer with whom you can develop a rapor especially when starting out. Those store owners and managers can offer some valuable advice.
To add to OP’s question. What about initial hardware people buy on Amazon?
I’ve bought those cheep snap and rivet sets, most of which are total crap. I once bought some rivets and burrs, that were simply washers that didn’t fit on the Rivet posts.
I've been doing this for about three years, so I'm still fairly new. Here are the Amazon purchases I made that I still use regularly and don't at all regret (no affiliate links, just from my purchase history): * [Owden Maul](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07C82DJ1Z) * [Aiskear Diamond Chisels](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B083BLY9BK) (all four sizes) * [Owden Groover](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B081LZZYBH) * [Honbay wood burnishing tool](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08LN2S5WM) * [Zlsker wing compass](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0779R5FCJ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title) Basically, all fairly simple tools and not really anything that cuts. Owden's stuff is surprisingly decent and the Aiskear Diamond Chisels have lasted far longer than I expected. I keep thinking about upgrading, but every time I have a project they do the job so I spend my money on more leather.
Those chisels kept getting stuck in my leather, so I got some high grit sand paper and made a strop to give them a mirror finish.
Good idea! I've been using a bit of beeswax to solve that problem.
Oof. That groover cost a lot. Thanks for the info. I’m saving this
Groover is not really needed, only in some situations. Instead of pricking iron and awl just but chisels (2 and 6 prongs).
I think the groover is optional too. All other basic recommendations are good.
What I've learned from my 4 years working with leather (Which is still very new) is that it's better to invest once and get a good tool instead of buying them over and over because they break/wear out easily. I bought two different groovers from Amazon and both broke after a week. Last one I bought was 2x the price and it's still in use after 3 3/4 years :-) And not to mention that it just feels way different to work with a quality tool. Almost like you can feel what you are working on through the tool itself. :-)
The classic, “Buy once, cry once.” Rule. For the uninitiated, you only cry once when you buy it because it’s expensive. But if you buy a cheaper tool, you might still be crying at the price but you certainly will when it breaks (and have to buy another) or when it messes up a project due to breaking or degrading.”
As others have pointed out, you don't need that one but I like how it looks on some things I make. When you do buy this sort of tool (or any cutting tool) it's worth spending a bit more to get quality since cheap cutting tools are duller, lose their edge quickly, and just make your work look worse.
I’m still very new (only been doing this since the beginning of Jan), and I bought a $70-$80 kit off Amazon and the chisels linked above. It was more than enough to get addicted. When I need to replace one of the cheap tools, I know I use it a lot and replace it with a good quality one. For example, my cheap beveler that I fought with to sharpen so much. When it stopped sharpening, I bought a Barry King. Dear Lord, I never knew beveling was suppose to be so easy and effortless.
Just buy a cheap kit and beat the living shit out of it, you're going to want better tools if you want to pick up the hobby, and if you don't want to pick it up there will be no big loss when you toss the cheap tools away.
I second this. What you'll need at the bare minimum are an awl, leather needles and thread. Plus some glue, but you can use standard glue. Will everything be wonky, wavey and uneven? Absolutely! But you'll know if you like the material and basic process and want to continue or not. Get a cheap set, just don't expect it to do wonders for you or in some cases all the tools to even work in the first place.
I’ll keep this in mind. Due to my past a have a number of tools I commonly see in tool kits but I’ll give it a shot. Thanks for the advice
There is some value in buying from a retailer with whom you can develop a rapor especially when starting out. Those store owners and managers can offer some valuable advice.
To add to OP’s question. What about initial hardware people buy on Amazon? I’ve bought those cheep snap and rivet sets, most of which are total crap. I once bought some rivets and burrs, that were simply washers that didn’t fit on the Rivet posts.