I am in the process of getting some leather craft tools and a few things together to start doing some stuff for my self and my boys. Does any one have a dvd or books on the subject if I could borrow them I would promise to send them back to ya as soon as I got done with them. What all kind of tools do I need to look for as a beginner. All the help I can get would be great Mike
Go to the Tandy website and watch some of the "How to" vids. There are a ton of them there, along with a ton of information.
X2 Tandy. Decide what techniques you intend and get that equipment. It is easy to get a lot of stuff at Tandy. Cold, long nights spell leathercrafting
Wild Rose trading co. used to have some good instructions online.
I agree with Tandy, they have books as well on it. They also sell "starter kits" which are decent.
Tandy's basic leathercraft manual tells you about everything you need to get started. If your interested in making something specific that might be beyond the basic level you might want to look up the Society for Creative Anachronisms (SCA) If you contact them they may have some local leatherworker who would be more than happy to help you out. (You also might get to see some very interesting leatherwork. FOr example I am currently making a few 11 century viking backstitched sheaths for my wife and I. Totally different technique from the modern sheath and you can make them in about two hours or less.)
the tools you are going to need, depend on the items you would like to make. That said, there are several tools that you will always need. get a basic starters set from the leather factory, tandy, anywhere you can find one and then get the tools you need to expand your projects. start simple and practice. I have boxes full of patterns i've made and or bought for all sorts of things. let me know if you ever need a pattern i might have. go slow. attention to detail makes for good looking leather. good luck and have fun.
thanks guys Mike
Viking backstitched sheaths?