Middle Earth Ranger Forum

I have a pattern I purchased a bit ago that among others contains a pattern for a stiff sided roll top leather pouch, and as leather is something new for me to be working in, I'm wondering what recommendations for thickness/type of leather to use for something like this. I would also like some tool recommendations since I'll be needing to get those as well. If you're wondering, the pattern in question is this one. https://butterick.mccall.com/b5936 the pouch is the one that has the glass bottles in it.

3 oz or better leather will work nicely with that. I wouldn't use anything higher than 6oz though. As far as tools go a mallet wood, rubber or plastic, an exacto knife or similar hobby knife, a needle and thread or sinew and a stitching chisel. The stitching chisel will make nice evenly spaced stitching holes. This will be enough to get you started and if you determine you like leather work then you can purchase additional tools.

Hope this helps

I've seen folks in a pinch use the sharpened tines of a fork as a stitching chisel! Or alternately you could get a marking wheel and hand awl and do it one hole at a time...as long as your line is straight, you're good.

I started out punching all my stitching holes by hand with an awl - it's very doable, but I will admit that getting a multi-prong stitching chisel greatly improved my quality of life. Even if you do opt for a chisel, I'd recommend picking up an awl as well (even if it's just an inexpensive scratch awl). It's handy for opening up the stitching holes when the chisel doesn't quite make a big enough hole for the needle to pass through easily (which happens to me fairly often).

You can get mallets from leatherworking suppliers, but I used a $3 Harbor Freight mallet for quite a while, and it got the job done.

thanks guys, all of that info does help. I usually work in wood, and normally use modern tools for that, because it's just what I know. I've decided though that I need to learn some new skills, and since I've already got the patterns, I figured leather would be a good place to start.

Leatherwork is fun and I use the sharpened fork it works well.