Leatherwork tools are relevant to the production of the item and greatly influence its formation and final outlook. Therefore, a leather goods artist must know the distinctiveness and use of each of these tools, especially controversial ones such as piercing, decorative and protective devices.
1. Drilling tools
These tools are used to create holes in leather goods before sewing or tying them. Examples of thong tools are:
Belt Chisel – Used to make belt indentations.
Snap Setter: This tool is used in drilling to prevent the rivet caps from being damaged.
Belt Punch – This tool is used to create several holes at once before sewing. It is also used to make and space grooves.
Drive Punch – Used to punch simple round holes in leather.
Rotary / Rotary Punch – This is a six-way punch that rotates or rotates. Its rotating wheel is equipped with six nipples. Used to create holes for attaching buttonholes, press studs, etc. in leather goods.
Eyelet Pliers / Hook: This tool is used for crimping and fixing buttonholes on leather goods.
Cobbler’s Hammer: This hammer is used to drive nails and pierce leather goods to create holes for sewing and tying.
Awl: This tool is used to punch holes in leather before sewing.
Mallet: used to pierce leather goods to create holes for sewing.
Pliers – Used to hold nails and pins steadily while hammering.
Fid – This is a thin metal bar with a pointed edge embedded in wood / plastic / rubber / fiberglass, etc. inserted into a handle with a metal band to strengthen it where the metal is placed on the handle. It should be stored with the sharp metal tip embedded in thick rubber, wax, or soap. It should be sharpened with a whetstone, sandpaper, or oilstone.
Cord Pliers – This is a handy tool that looks like pliers, but is used to pierce slits in areas of a leather item that cannot lie flat.
Lockstitch Wheels – These tools are used to mark clearance holes, especially in saddle stitching.
2. Decorative tools
This category of leather tools helps to improve the overall appearance, feel, and appeal of leather goods. Examples of decorative tools used in leather goods include:
File – This tool is used to polish the edges of freshly cut leather pieces by sanding.
Textured Nail – This is a special nail with various textures or patterns on its head. It is used to stamp decorative patterns on leather goods for decoration purposes.
Modeling Tool – This tool is used to create designs on the surfaces of leather goods.
Push Button Tool – Used to set push button closures.
Dresden Tool – This tool is used to create fine modeling on leather.
Ball Tool and Flat Shaper – The ball tool is used when high relief is required and is usually used from the bottom of the leather.
Stamping Tool: It is like the texturizing nail. It is used to create raised patterns on the surfaces of leather goods.
Sander: This is an electronic sanding device with sandpaper attached. It is used to sand and smooth the fleshy parts of the leather.
Stippler: This device holds the templates in position while they are traced on the surface of the leather.
Computer – This is a modern technological device used to create varieties of designs, as well as to choose harmonious color schemes for leather goods.
Burnisher – This is a general purpose tool used to polish the edge of leather, as well as holes and grooves.
Bone Folder – This is a smooth, flat but slightly rounded tool made of bone. It can also be made of aluminum metal, bamboo, rattan, wood, hardened plastic. It is used to make lines and press the folded edges of the leather. It is also used to polish leather and to create pleats, folds, etc. on leather.
3. Protection tools
These tools guarantee the protection of the individual, as well as the tools and devices for leather goods. Examples of protection tools are:
Nose mask: used on the nose to prevent the leather craftsman from inhaling toxic chemicals and dyes that are harmful to health.
Apron: It is worn on the body of the leather artist to avoid dirtying or staining himself and his clothes with liquor and other coloring means.
Wellies: These are special boots used to protect the feet of workers in the leather industry, where small pins and metal can cause injuries.
Hand Gloves – Used to protect hands from harmful chemicals and other dangerous solvents.
Oil stone: it is a stone with oil that is used to sharpen the blades and edges of other tools in leather goods.
Toolbox: It is a special box in which leather tools are kept for safekeeping.