Though it may come as a surprise when we need leather tools, we actually tend to need them for more jobs than we realize. Whether you’re making a hole in your new belt or you want to tidy up the seam of a coat, leather tools can be useful for everyone.

More often though, people looking for leather tools are interested in the crafting field. The cost and quality of leather tools vary and understanding that can help to ensure you find a set that suits your needs. Take a look at our guide for more information on the best leather tools.

Best Leather Tools Comparison Chart

Why do People Need Leather Tools? What Kind of DIY Projects Require the Use of Leather Tools?

Leather tools have a whole host of specific jobs. Some tools are designed for cutting, whereas others serve as chisels, and some to bevel edges. While these seem very specific to leather crafting workshops, you’ll find tools similar to these in woodworking workshops too.

Beveling tools can be used to create more rounded edges of tables and other types of furniture, while rotating saws are similar to the rotating blades found in leather crafting. If you’re looking to punch holes through fabric, you’ll need a leather punch - a great tool for any workshop that may need to work with leather fabrics.

In the household, you may find you need a punch for making a new hole in a leather belt or for fixing a handle back on to a handbag. Equally, you may find that leather cutting tools are great for neatly trimming peeling back leather from couches or on clothing.

For those with antique leather furniture, you know you need to polish and oil it to ensure it stays healthy. However, what do you do if the leather starts to fray?

A burnisher can be used to prevent fraying on your sofa, maintaining and preserving it. You can also use it to prevent fraying on sleeves of leather clothing and on the bottom of handbags.

What are the Most Common Types of Leather Tools?

There are many tools used for different effects, especially as you become more of an expert in leather crafting. The basic tools, however, are not only useful to a leatherworker but also in an everyday workshop or even your home.

• Edge Bevelers - These are for Rounding Out Edges of Leather for a Softer Look
• Rotary Cutter - A Rotating Blade That Cuts Leather
• Round Knife - Tool Used for Cutting and Skiving
• Diamond Chisel - This Chisel Punches Holes All the Way Through the Leather
• Stitch Awl - Used to Create Holes for Stitching and Widening Those Holes, if Necessary
• Groover and Creaser - These Tools Cut and Widen a Channel in the Leather, Making it Easier to Stitch
• Burnisher - To Remedy Frayed Edges
• Stitching Needles and Horse - The Horse Holds the Leather and the Needles are for Sewing Leather Specifically
• Punches and Hammer - Used for Punching Holes in the Leather

What is the Best Way to Store Leather Tools? 

Storing your leather correctly will keep it supple and durable. When leather is stored incorrectly, it becomes stiff and unmovable, making it nearly impossible to work with. Moreover, when stored badly, the leather starts to become brittle, flaky, and dry, which results in a poor-quality finished product.

Instead, when leather is stored well and correctly, it is flexible, soft-to-the-touch, and durable. It won’t develop a bad smell and will remain easy to work with.

Try to prevent wrinkles by laying leather flat or hanging it. Hanging it with acid-free paper will help to keep it in a neutral state - just like how our own skin likes the atmosphere.

Leather is breathable, so think about ensuring that fresh air can get through it. Stale musty air will sit in the material and degrade the leather. If the storage place has fungus, dampness, and/or mold can get into the leather if you are not careful. 

Store in a cool, dry place that has a flow of air coming through. Make sure that there isn’t a chance of dampness and that the leather won’t get wet, which can cause it to rot. That said, you don’t want the air to be too dry at the same time, as this will dehydrate the leather.

Remember if you have a lot of leather to store, you can always contact a professional leather storage company.

Are Leather Tools Easy to Use? Do You Need Specific Skills or Training to Use Leather Tools?

While leather tools don’t need any specific training to use, watching a few training videos to come to grips with the techniques will be useful. Many of the tools are sharp, so understanding their purpose and where to apply them will give you a leg up.

Stitch Awl - You can use a stitch awl for making holes in leather, which is great for extending belt loops and lace holes. You need to put the pointed end against the leather and flex the leather back over the awl while pushing it through. This creates the hole. You can also use this when you need to stitch something to leather.

Bevel - If you have an item of leather clothing with a rough edge, you can use a bevel to give it a softer, curved edge. This is particularly useful for a handbag edge that rubs against your arm or leather trousers. Dampen the leather first as this makes it easier, and run the bevel slowly and smoothly along the edge of the leather.

Round Knife - A round knife is a great guide for anyone sewing fabrics, not just leather. You can use the knife to press into the fabric to show where you need to stitch and to make the process easier. Just press and rock the knife back and forth and then move it along.

Punch and Hammer - If you are looking to make larger holes, you may need to use a punch and a hammer. This may be true if you are looking to hang leather on a rod, for example. Lay the leather flat on a surface and position the punch. Slowly and firmly tap the punch on the top with the hammer.

What Makes Leather Tools Good/ Sturdy/ Durable/ Valuable?

Leather tools are designed to last a long time. They are made from industry-strength metals such as steel and iron and are usually bound in hardwoods or durable plastics. The tools tend to last longer when they are more expensive and have wooden housing over cheaper plastic casings.

That said, higher prices don’t necessarily pertain to good quality. Look for tools that are made by brands with a  good reputation, and consider reviews when making a purchase. Equally, a long guarantee or warranty shows a company’s faith in its product, ensuring the quality of the components that make up the tools.

Leather tools last longer if they are maintained. They need to be cleaned frequently and polished to ensure that none of the oils from the leather leave residue on the tools. You should also make sure you sharpen all blades. If they are kept clean, tools should last at least ten years and should work perfectly the whole time.

How to Choose the Best Leather Tools for Your Needs?

When you’re choosing leather tools, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. While there are basic tools that most people start out with, your particular requirements will determine the tools you will need to purchase.

Firstly, try to think about the job at hand. Is this is a one-off leather job or are you considering taking up leather work as a hobby? If this is a simple job, you only want a cheap set of tools to get the job done. If you’re looking to progress in leather work, you want a durable beginner’s set, which will last as you learn and use them for practice.

Secondly, think about your budget. While higher priced tools tend to be of better quality, we can’t all afford to splurge endlessly. Think about how much you can afford to spend and look for something in that price bracket.

Consider the materials. Wooden and metal tools are more durable and tend to not break as easily. Plastic can smash on the floor or break if stepped on and tends to become brittle over time. Wooden tools are also easier on the hands.

Look at reviews online, as people who have had bad experiences tend to let the world know. Look for the issues with any products and keep an eye out for leather tools which specifically mention your requirements.

This hole punch is designed to punch through fabric and leather and comes with a  free ruler and awl tool. It is easy-to-use and comes with six different size punches.

This is another hole punch for leather, It also has adjustable hole sizes and can be used for a variety of materials. It comes with a 3-year warranty and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

This pyrography pen can be used with wood or leather and comes complete with an instruction manual. It has a range of tip patterns for different effects and a dual power mode to heat quickly and more evenly.

This basic, crafting leather tool set comes with everything you need to get started in the leatherworking game. A good value for money, this set comes with all the tools for hand stitching, beveling, and punching.

This 24 piece set is a great starter kit for anyone wanting to invest in leather tools. It comes with four types of awls, a groover, two pressure cloth teeth (a 2mm and a 4mm), three colors of threads, needle kit, thimble, scissors, a fingerstall, and beeswax.

Bottom Line

Although you will have to guide yourself due to the lack of instructions., this is a great beginners’ set, giving you all the tools you need to start. The awls are a little fragile but everything else seems to be sturdy and are made from wood and steel.

Watch Videos of How to Use Leather Tools

If you’re more of a visual learner, you may benefit from having a quick look at some of these videos. They can help you get to grips with what the tools are and how to use them for leather work.

This video runs through some of the most popular and useful leather tools and shows you how you can apply them to your work.

This video runs through some of the best tools and why you should be using them in your home. It will also give you a quick tutorial on how to use them.

This video is geared specifically to the everyday use of leather tools. It runs through the most essential tools for your day-to-day leather crafting and why you need them.

This video dips a little more into the maintenance of tools, focusing on the round knife. This video will show you why you need leather tools and why they need to be maintained correctly, as well as how to do this.

Conclusion

For leather crafters of the future, a decent leather toolkit is imperative. Cheaply made tools produce shoddy work and make the process a whole lot harder - not to mention all the money and time wasted. That said, look for sturdy tools made of wood and steel. Consider options with the best reviews, a good guarantee or warranty, and a shining reputation!

Remember that when you’re looking for leather tools, you need to find something that meets your requirements. Say you have small hands, make sure to search for tools that accommodate for this.

Equally, if you need safety guards due to having kids around, look for leather tools with secondary locks. Keep your own needs in mind and you’ll find the best leather tools to fit your budget.

Your brand new car is on the road and you’re feeling fine. Smooth leather seats glisten in the morning sun and you find yourself smiling at that ‘New Car Smell’.

Then you look back and see your three-year-old angel smearing peanut butter into the crease of the middle seat and a small tear trickles from your eye. You should have bought the car seat protectors.

Never fear - this guide can assist you in preventing any future damage to your car by helping you choose the best car seat protector for leather seats. With a physical barrier between the car seat and any suspect dirt and grime, car seat protectors can help to keep your seats in great condition.

Read on to check out what the market has to offer to keep your leather safe from harm.

Best Car Seat Protector for Leather Seats Comparison Chart

Why Do You Need a Car Seat Protector?

Cars are expensive, valuable tools we use in our everyday lives. In our families, we rely on having a tip top machine to work fluidly throughout our everyday lives. In this sense, we need to preserve the components that make up our cars to make sure it has the longest lifespan it can muster.

This attitude should extend to the car seats. When we sit on our car seats, regardless of whether they’re leather or fabric, we cause wear and tear. This can come in the form of small rips in the leather or as dirt and grime embedded in the fabric. Those of us with kids certainly understand the dangers of sticky probing fingers and sharp car seat edges.

While cleaning and conditioning the surfaces can certainly help to preserve them, many cleaning products have harsh chemicals that can degrade the leather over time by removing the natural oils. Equally, the scrubbing action can wear away at the material.

In this regard, consider how a car seat protector for leather seats will help to keep them looking fresh. With no dirt and grime smeared on the leather, you’ll prevent microabrasions. With no keys digging into the soft fabric, you won’t tear the seats. With a lining between your kids and the car seats, you won’t end up with syrup in the seams.

Instead, car seat protectors for leather seats provide an exceptional physical barrier to safeguard from harm to the material. This stops you having to shell out money to have them repaired, cuts down on maintenance, and doesn’t decrease the value of the car.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Car Seat Protector

Material Used: When it comes to leather seat covers, you want something that is functional and comfortable. In this sense, look for a quality material that is thick and therefore durable. Equally, make sure that it has some form of cushion, made from soft material, to ensure a pleasurable experience. While you may opt for leather seat covers, you can also opt for covers that are made from faux leather and soft plastics. These are a bit more durable and easily wipeable.

Design: When it comes to design, your car seat protector should be aesthetically pleasing, as well as functional. There are some great designs which have different colors and patterns, and mold more elegantly to the seat. However, if you are putting a car seat protector in to preserve the leather from a child’s car seat, you may need something wide and flat, that is more easily portable and can fold away for storage.

Child-friendly: When you’re lugging children around, the last thing you need is a car seat protector that needs complicated installation. Choose something easy to whip out and that lays down without hassle. Moreover, consider the safety of the mat when it comes to kids’ seats. Make sure it doesn’t slide around and ensure you can safely attach a child’s car seat without the protective mat interfering.

Washable: One of the most beautiful things about car seat protectors is that you can clean them to keep the car looking nice. If you are prone to carrying dirty loads in your car or have small kids, you’ll want something easily washable. Check the label for washing instructions. Machine-washable car seat protectors make the whole job a lot easier.

Price: Car seat protectors won’t break the bank but they do range in cost. This usually refers to the quality of the item, with more expensive models priced at around $30-$40, while you can pick up cheaper protectors for $15 a piece. Consider that the price is usually reflective of their ability to protect, their versatility, and their durability. That said, cheaper models are not necessarily bad. To get a better idea, always look at the reviews; what may be a curse to someone, may be a blessing to you - it can depend on your needs.

Warranty: Also check for a warranty. While car seat protectors aren't that expensive, it would be annoying if they rip the first time you use them and you can’t get a dollar back. In this sense, check to see what the return policy is and whether they have a warranty in case of damages or dissatisfaction.

This model, named The Babyseater is designed for a tidy space. It includes mesh storage pockets and a garbage can - a revolutionary feature unique to this model. The car seat cover includes a full roll of garbage disposal bags.

This car protection set includes two seat covers for leather seat protection and two back-seat organizers to keep the area clean and tidy. The easy-to-install mats fits most cars due to the adjustable head strap and tab slips.

The kick mat set is designed to protect the backs of leather seats by providing a barrier of pockets to stop children from kicking the leather. The pockets provide storage and this set comes in a duo pack to protect both front seats.

Bottom Line

Perhaps better for smaller cars, these kick mats protect against excited kids’ feet in the back of the car. There are lots of pockets to help keep the backseat tidy, but it does cover the big pocket you may already have, so bear that in mind

Summer Infant Elite DuoMat for Car Seat

This lightweight fabric cover is easily foldable and can be installed quickly. It features pockets at the bottom, ties around the headrest and seat, and features a textured anti-slip material.

This ergonomically designed seat cover clips in easily and is ideal to protect leather against backward facing child seats. It fits most cars and has a dual grip technology which provides traction against slipping.

Bottom Line

Not only is this mat nice to look at, but it also has great anti-slip tech incorporated in the design and can protect large seats. Heavy children’s car seats aren’t good for it, however, as they reduce the lifetime of the product and its ability to prevent the seat from slipping and sliding.

Conclusion

If you want your leather car seats looking shiny and brand new forever, you need to take measures to protect them. Dirt and grime from everyday wear and tear will reduce the sheen of your leather over time without you even noticing. What’s more, when you add kids, pets, and unwary visitors into the mix, you’ll find keys scratches on the leather, glue in the cracks, and dog hair in the seams.

Having read about some of the best car seat protectors on the scene, you now have an idea why leather lives best when it's looked after. Make sure to consider your lifestyle when you choose a care set protector, and try to fit high-quality into your budget, as well as easy maintenance and installation.

Crafting with leather is an inspirational thing. There’s something both nostalgic and animalistic about it, while also feeling luxurious and classy. For hardened crafters, it is no secret that working with leather is a hard job. A tough material with a lot of give, leather needs to be worked in a particular way for the best results.

That said, everyone needs to cut corners from time to time and employing leather glue can certainly ease up on all that stress. However, not all leather glues are made equal and a poor-quality glue will leave a sticky mess and poor results.

We’re here to present a guide that outlines the best leather glues out there and their pros and cons. That way, you won’t end up in a sticky situation!

Best Leather Glue Comparison Chart

What are the types of glues for leather?

When you’re looking for glues, you’re going to find that either contact adhesive or spray-on adhesive work best for leather. These differentiating names define how the glues are applied, not what is in them as such. The contact adhesive works by smearing a little of the glue on to the leather. Next, you smear a little on to the surface to which the leather is going to be stuck. You hold this for a few seconds as the glue fuses to itself, causing it to harden and stick.

Spray-on adhesive means you can more easily apply it by spraying both surfaces and holding them together. You need to make sure that you are spraying the adhesive at least three inches away from the surface, to ensure you get good coverage without blasting the leather.

That said, the type of glue you need specifically can depend on a few different factors. The material to which you are gluing your leather is a big point of contention. If you are gluing leather to wood, you may prefer a contact cement, whereas leather to leather adhesion can work with an all-purpose shoe adhesive substance.

When attaching leather to metal or plastic, you’re usually better with a contact cement, however, you must score the plastic or the metal using wire wool to give it a coarse surface. This allows the leather to stick more easily.

Choosing the Best Leather Glue

When you’re choosing the best glue for leather, you need to determine if it is the right glue for the job. First look at the instructions to determine whether this glue is good for both leather and the material to which you are sticking the leather.

When you’re shopping around for glue, however, this isn’t the only thing to look for as there are many types of glue that will cover the materials you are using. In this sense, how do you decide between them?

Firstly, most people look at the price. White leather glue isn’t expensive, while top-quality glues will cost a fraction more. These tend to be more adhesive, less annoyingly sticky to the skin, easy to work with, and hold their adhesion over time. You are looking for a glue which will be simple to use and will hold over a long period of time. Looking at reviews of products will help you to determine this for each of the glues you see.

Quick-drying glues are always easier to use as well. The problem with slow-drying glue is that it can collect dust and grime while it dries, the leather may move, and the glue may seep out the sides.

Equally, some leather glues have a tacky finish. If your glue has a tacky finish, it tends to collect dust over time.

Made in the U.S.A., this adhesive is a cement that takes at least five minutes to dry. It is industrial-strength and can be used to adhere leather to ceramic, fabric, wood, glass, and metal. It is waterproof and non-flammable.

With a no-run gel formula, this easy-to-use glue is great for plastics, wood, metal, ceramic, rubber, paper, and fabric. It dries in 10-30 seconds are requires no clamping.

This product is specifically designed for leather and suede and sticks these materials to each other. Most often used for shoe repair, this can also be used on clothing and accessories. This is designed for products that are meant to be dry-cleaned only.

This clear adhesive is very versatile, sticking leather to wood, ceramic, glass, paper, plastic, metal, and more. It is 100% waterproof and dries clear. It dries in seconds and is flexible after it has cured.

This leather-crafting cement is designed for craft activities. It is water-based and very strong. It is also non-toxic and non-flammable.

Bottom Line

This is a great crafting glue for leather which allows for quick drying and adjustments. It is an irritant so it isn’t safe for children, but it holds strong and firm and is an excellent value for the money.

Tips on Gluing Leather to Other Materials

Understanding how to glue leather is only half the battle, as the different material to which you may be sticking the leather to will determine your technique. Below is a list of a few tips for sticking leather to different kinds of fabrics and materials.

Plastic

• Score - Mark the plastic first as this creates a coarse surface. This increases surface area and friction and makes it easier for the leather to stick.

• Clean and Dry - Make sure to clean the plastic with alcohol to remove all oils and grime. You also need to dry the plastic. This ensures the leather definitely sticks to the plastic and not debris or dirt.

• Be Patient - Leather to plastic gluing can take up to four hours to dry so leave it to work its magic without interference.

Fabric

• Wipe With Dry Cloth - You want the material to be free of debris, otherwise, the glue sticks to the debris and not the fabric.

• Dry is Key - The material must be dry otherwise the water will prevent the glue from sticking to both surfaces. Equally, you want the glue to soak into the fabric and water particles block the space for the glue if the material is wet.

• Press for Two Minutes - When gluing, hold the fabrics together for two minutes as fabric can take a long time to dry.

• Keep Off Surfaces - As the glue may seep out the fabric, don’t put it down on to other soft furnishings, otherwise, it may stick to unintended areas.

Metal

• Keep it Clean - Like the other materials, always clean metal first. If it is rusty, try to remove as much of the rust dust as possible. Leather will adhere to rust but it may crumble off in the future.

• Score it - Like the plastic, you need to mark the metal to give a coarse surface as leather struggles to stick to smooth, even surfaces.

• Check for air - Air bubbles will cause the leather to peel away if the metal warms up in the summer. The air expands inside the bubble and pushes the glue outward. Make sure to squeeze out all the air bubbles.

Wood

• Sand, Clean, and Score - Sand the surface first to remove any peeling varnish that may come off, taking the leather with it. Next wipe the wood down with a dry cloth and score the wood to give the rough plane.

• Contact Cement - Contact cement is best for wood and should be applied directly to the roughed up side of the wood.

• Vice and Protect - Keeping the leather and wood in a good grip will help to prevent movement and secure the glue. However, make sure the vice doesn’t mark the leather by placing a wad of material between the leather and the vice.

Conclusion

Leather is a beautiful material with all the benefits of its naturalness. Strong, flexible, durable, versatile, and forgiving, leather really can spruce up furniture, clothing, accessories and soft furnishings. However, when applying glue, you can ruin the leather if you don’t know what you’re doing and end up selecting the wrong product.

With this in mind, check out the pros and cons and understand what you’re looking at in a product. Moreover, consider your own intentions, how you’re applying the leather glue, and the final product. Be aware of the time it needs to dry as some of these glues aren’t designed for quick projects!