trying to buy tools. Leather working tools.

[boom]

i want to make some sheaths. i think it looks pretty fun and i'd love to put my own spin on some knife sheaths and axe sheaths.

i sharpened the heck out of my brother's cheapo Gerber axe and i think it really needs a sheath. to protect the edge and people simply carrying it.

but looking at the tools are impossible. for auto work, if i need a tool, i at least knows it exist. for leather..i am lost. bevelers, punches, etc..the problem is compouded by the fact that i dont really know what to do..how do you know what tool to buy for a technique i dont even know i am supposed to perform?

i can buy a basic tool kit from Tandy leather for about $70ish..

anyone making leather stuff and can just point me out some "must-haves"?

 

[rayporter]

sheesh
i typed a big list and lost it to the innernet -or outspace.

a short list to sew with-

head knife -not necessary but helps
skiver
stitching wheel
groover
awl -2 awls, one just to punch with and a speedy stitcher to sew with
saddle stitching needles
thread
beeswax
maybe a rivet tool
punches-i like drive punches but if you get a rotating punch, spend a lot-most are worthless

when you get serious - a stitching pony

you can sew most anything with these. an old harness maker used to tell me often "if you can make out of cardboard, we can make it out of leather"

tooling is a whole new ball game. the basic kit sold by tandy will get you started tooling pretty well. getting good leather is a bigger problem than the tools.

a knife sheath or axe sheath is a very good starter project.