Customer Reviews

Leathercraft Tools

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Not just the pretty pictures and names of the tools you might encounter, but also how to keep them sharp and working well, and even a little on how to make some of your own tools.
Includes information on how to make the tool work for you, with things like trimming a handle to fit your hand for best control during use.
Another excellent resource book from Stohlman.

This is a slim paperback booklet that looks a bit like an old catalog in that tools are illustrated (drawings) rather than photographed. The emphasis is on basic hand tools and while the contents are a bit dated, leather tools haven't changed much over the years either. Brief practical advice is given for each tool as well as describing its basic use. What you won't find in this book is coverage of non-American leatherworking tools (Euro tools being very different in many cases), any machinery (e.g., clickers, stitchers, etc.), or, with a few exceptions, alternative tools for the same basic function. You also won't find newer tools that are on the market. There are a lot of innovative string cutters available these days, as just one example. The book could use a thorough refresh. Still, it has good coverage, the advice is 100% usable, and it's inexpensive! Well worth having.

I ordered this after reading about it at the cascity leatherworkers forum and as I knew the quality of everything else Al Stohlman has written. I have had for years the "The Art of Hand Sewing Leather" which is indispensable for everybody wanting to learn to make and repair horsegear and gunleather. This Tools book has also the same kind of very high quality drawings which are so much easier to reader as compared to the usual cheaper photographs seen on many how to do books. Stohlman really sets the standard for all the how-to-do books in the world with his no-nonsense straight to business style.I highly recommend these two books for everyone interested in preserving a piece of almost forgotten world, not for nostalgic but for a very useful reason.

I give the content 5 stars but the paper of this 'book' is nothing more than thin magazine paper. The Sears Wishbook cover is thicker than this publication. The illustrations are fantastic as are the descriptions and demonstrations. The art work is similar to all of Stohlman's books, it's very Crumb-esque. Good stuff inside but not liking the wrapping paper thin cover. C'mon Tandy, you can do better than this.