You might ask yourself why a crafter would help you become a potential competitor. Well, I don't care about a good competition, because I'm mostly doing this activity to have fun. I've also learnt a lot thanks to the community, it's my way of returning the favour.

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This guide is here because I started, like you, by asking myself a lot of questions. I also made a lot of mistakes buying tools I didn't need, or cheap ones that should have been better in the first place.

Let me help you with this.

You'll need these if you punch, or cut. So, typically, you'll need these, period. Indeed, you don't want to break your tools or blades. Punch on the pad, cut on the mat. I recommend A3 size if you have enough room for this.

You'll need to cut the straps, or maybe shape the end by hand. After 2 years of practice, I finally found a good knife that meets my need for sharpness, precision, and solidity. Blades are trimmable and replaceable.

This ruler is perfect to protect your fingers while cutting, but also to protect your leather and avoid the ruler from slipping. I've always had a 30cm ruler, but exists in 20cm as well.

This precision tool will help you draw accurate and straight stitching lines or trimming line for all your leather goods. The rounded legs and the setting screw are pretty handy.

You need to create holes in the leather before stitching. This is one way to get french style stitching. I recommend a set of 2 & 8 teeth at 3.85mm spacing. (more common)

I recommend you start with this pack to invite you to play with colored thread on your leather goods. You'll then buy longer spools when required. (rec. 0.45/0.55mm)

This brand is my favorite and recognize by the community as the best. The needles are almost indestructible and they are used by saddle makers. I use sizes 002 or 004 usually.

This kind of hammer is really useful for hitting tools made with steel. It's heavy and will help with punching holes in the leather without too much effort, and without damaging your tools.

There are multiple references of glue that works perfectly.

The Aquilim 315 is one of the best, but not necessarily available everywhere. I'm happy with the Suede one, and the Fiebing's.

I started directly with a stitching pony, and I've learned how to stitch without after that. I prefer with the stitching pony, but if you are on a budget you can try without first.

Take a look at this playlist on how to stitch leather.

This tool is indispensable if you want smooth and clean edges on your leather creations. I recommend the size 0.7mm and 1.3mm thickness. But start with the first one if you are on a budget. Helps make the edges durable.

Don't buy all the grit-level. I recommend at least a 300, a 900, and 2000 if you want those candy-eye edges. You need those to harden your edges and make them smooth. Follow this small tutorial for more info.

If you want shiny edges, you can't do without Tokonole. It's the best burnishing gum I know. Start with the white (transparent) one, but know there are brown and black versions too.

This kit is here to help you get shiny edges by burnishing them using back and forth movements. I recommend the whole set since it will serve different purposes. You can choose to rely only on sanding papers, but the small slicker will still be useful.

This tool is optional, but recommended if you like this professional aspect on your edges with a beautiful decorative line. I use 2mm spacing almost everywhere when I crease. This one need to have an external source of heat to better work.

If you want to have good decorative lines with the creasing tool, you'll need to warm the steel with this lamp burner before passing it to the leather. You can put basic alcohol for lamp, or the one you use to clean at home can work depending on the country.

You actually don't need to buy anything. I'm sure you've got an old pair of jeans or a cotton cloth that could be used as a burnishing cloth. Again, watch this short tutorial for a better understanding.

I'm adding the clamps to this Edge Tools list, because it definitely help with the good looking aspect. It also helps strengthen your glueing. Add leather to them to protect your creations.

Putting leather on top of the clamps can be long and not that easy to make. If you don't feel like doing it by yourself, the shop sells those pre-made. I have 3 different sizes, and use them all.

Ideal if you want clean radius corners. Even if you can obtain these corners with a classic knife, these small round blades are really handy. The button leads to Amazon, but here is an alternative I would buy too on Etsy.

This playlist is a gathering of videos that cover the topic of burnishing leather edges. You'll see several techniques to help you adopt the one that matches your preferences and tools. (image by William Cambridge)

If you have a stitching machine, I have nothing to teach you, I don't know how to use these things :D

Otherwise, here is a playlist for different stitching techniques. I recommend trying them all. (image by William)

I gathered some tips & tricks by other crafters. Most of them are really valuable techniques that only experience will help you get and better understand. I recommend watching those videos. (image by Corter)