Awl & Hide

One hide, a few good tools

Your first leather project, done right.

Leathercraft for absolute beginners — choosing your first hide and the few tools that matter, cutting clean, hand-stitching a proper saddle stitch, tooling and dyeing, burnishing an edge you're proud of, and finishing real projects you'll actually carry.

Getting StartedCutting & StitchingTooling & CarvingDyeing & FinishingHardware & MaterialsProjects

Latest guides

26 guides
Cutting & Stitching

How to Mark and Punch Even Stitching Holes

Learn how to punch stitching holes in leather with perfect spacing: marking the stitch line, using pricking irons, and handling corners cleanly.

August 19, 2026
Getting Started

How Much Does It Cost to Start Leathercraft?

How much does leathercraft cost? Expect $110–230 to get started. Here's what to buy first, what to skip, and where to save money.

August 17, 2026
Projects

How to Make a Leather Keychain (Easy First Project)

Learn how to make a leather keychain from a single strip of veg-tan. Step-by-step beginner tutorial with materials list, stitching, and finishing tips.

August 14, 2026
Hardware & Materials

How to Set Rivets in Leather (Without Wrecking Them)

Learn how to set rivets in leather correctly—rapid rivets, copper rivets, and Chicago screws—with the right post length, hole size, and technique.

August 12, 2026
Dyeing & Finishing

How to Get an Even Leather Dye Job (No Streaks)

Learn how to dye leather evenly with no streaks or blotches. Covers prep, application technique, coats, and troubleshooting common problems.

August 10, 2026
Tooling & Carving

How to Carve Leather with a Swivel Knife

Learn how to use a swivel knife for leather carving: parts, grip, blade depth, casing leather, and making clean decorative cuts.

August 7, 2026
Cutting & Stitching

What Thread to Use for Hand-Stitching Leather

Choosing the best thread for leather stitching: linen vs polyester vs nylon, waxed vs unwaxed, size charts, and how much to cut per seam.

August 5, 2026
Getting Started

How to Set Up a Small Leatherwork Bench at Home

A practical guide to leatherwork bench setup for beginners: surfaces, lighting, tool storage, ventilation, and making it work in any space.

August 3, 2026
Projects

How to Make a Leather Belt from Scratch

Learn how to make a leather belt by hand with this step-by-step beginner guide covering materials, cutting, punching, and finishing.

July 31, 2026
Hardware & Materials

How to Choose Your First Hide (Sides, Shoulders, and Bellies)

Learn how to choose leather hide as a beginner: full hides, sides, shoulders, bellies, square footage, grades, and where to buy.

July 29, 2026
Dyeing & Finishing

Gum Tragacanth vs Tokonole: Which Edge Slicker to Use

Gum tragacanth vs Tokonole compared for leather edge finishing: how each works, which gives a better result, and which to buy first.

July 27, 2026
Tooling & Carving

Beginner Leather Stamping Tools and How to Use Them

A practical guide to beginner leather stamping tools: which stamps to buy first, how to case leather, and striking technique for clean impressions.

July 24, 2026
Cutting & Stitching

Pricking Irons vs Stitching Chisels: What to Buy First

Pricking irons vs stitching chisels explained for beginners: how each tool works, which spacing to choose, and what to buy first.

July 22, 2026
Getting Started

Beginner Leatherworking Tools (and What You Can Skip)

The essential leatherworking tools for beginners — plus the gear you can skip until your skills actually need it. Honest starter kit guide.

July 20, 2026
Projects

How to Make a Simple Leather Wallet by Hand

Learn how to make a leather wallet with this step-by-step beginner guide: bifold pattern, card pockets, bill compartment, saddle stitch, and edge finish.

July 17, 2026
Hardware & Materials

Vegetable-Tanned vs Chrome-Tanned Leather: What's the Difference?

Vegetable tanned vs chrome tanned leather explained: how each is made, what it's good for, and which type beginners should buy first.

July 15, 2026
Dyeing & Finishing

How to Burnish Leather Edges Until They Shine

Learn how to burnish leather edges step by step: sanding, beveling, slicking with gum tragacanth or Tokonole, and finishing with beeswax.

July 13, 2026
Tooling & Carving

How to Wet (Case) Leather for Tooling

Learn how to case leather correctly for tooling and stamping: the right moisture level, how to test it, and how to avoid common beginner mistakes.

July 10, 2026
Cutting & Stitching

How to Hand Stitch Leather: The Saddle Stitch Explained

Learn how to saddle stitch leather step by step: the two-needle method, thread length, punching, and locking off for a stitch that outlasts a sewing machine.

July 8, 2026
Getting Started

Leathercraft for Complete Beginners: What It Really Takes

A realistic guide to leathercraft for complete beginners — the skills, starting costs, learning curve, and what to expect from your first projects.

July 6, 2026
Projects

How to Make a Leather Card Holder (Beginner Project)

Step-by-step guide to making a hand-stitched leather card holder from scratch. A beginner-friendly project with pattern, tools list, and clear instructions.

July 3, 2026
Hardware & Materials

Leather Weights and Thicknesses Explained for Beginners

A beginner's leather weight chart covering oz to mm conversions, what thickness suits each project, and how weight affects stitching and skiving.

July 1, 2026
Dyeing & Finishing

How to Dye Leather: A Beginner's Guide

Learn how to dye leather at home with step-by-step prep, dye types, application techniques, and finishing tips for beginners.

June 29, 2026
Tooling & Carving

How to Tool Leather: A Beginner's Guide to Stamping

Learn how to tool leather from scratch: casing veg-tan, choosing stamping tools, setting up your slab, and striking clean impressions every time.

June 26, 2026
Cutting & Stitching

How to Cut Leather Cleanly: A Beginner's Guide

Learn how to cut leather cleanly: the right knives, cutting surfaces, technique, and the common beginner mistakes to avoid.

June 24, 2026
Getting Started

How to Start Leathercraft: A Complete Beginner's Guide

Learn how to start leathercraft for beginners: leather types, essential tools, your first project, and simple techniques to build real skill fast.

June 22, 2026

Browse by topic

Getting StartedBegin here. What a beginner actually needs on the bench versus the kit you can skip, where to buy a hide without overpaying, and the few habits that keep the whole craft enjoyable: work slowly, keep your tools sharp, and finish one small thing before you start the next.Cutting & StitchingThe two skills everything else rests on. How to cut clean straight lines and curves with a sharp knife and a steel rule, how to mark and punch even holes with a diamond chisel or pricking iron, and how to sew a saddle stitch by hand so it stays put long after machine stitching would have let go.Tooling & CarvingPressing pattern and figure into damp veg-tan. How to case leather to the right moisture, swivel-knife basics, the common stamps and how to strike them evenly, and beginner-friendly ways to add a border, a basketweave, or simple lettering without the surface looking muddy.Dyeing & FinishingColor and protection. Choosing between alcohol and oil dyes, applying them evenly without blotches, sealing the surface, and conditioning so the leather stays supple. Plus the step beginners love most: burnishing an edge with gum tragacanth or beeswax until it is smooth and rounded.Hardware & MaterialsThe leather and metal you build with. How tannage and weight (those 8–9 oz numbers) change what a piece can do, reading a hide for its good areas, and fitting the everyday hardware: snaps, rivets, buckles, Chicago screws, and the right tool to set each one.ProjectsReal things you will carry, built step by step. Start with a simple card holder or key fob, then a belt, a card wallet, and a small pouch. Each project pulls together cutting, stitching, and finishing so the skills stick instead of staying abstract.