Help me identify these leather tools!

December 21, 2016 12:34 AM

I am trying to figure out the names for each of the tools in a "leather work tool set" (images here) that came with no accompanying text whatsoever. Please help?
posted by bardophile to Media & Arts (7 answers total)

Those look more useful for working with clay or wax, than leather. An image search for leather tools doesn't turn up much of anything that looks like that set.
posted by jon1270 at 5:22 AM on December 21, 2016

Agreed with jon1270 that they're likely not originally meant for leather, but I can see how they might be used as such. 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 could be used for tracing, smoothing, or small bits of carving (see the modeling tools here). 1, 4, and maybe 6 might be beveling tools (although the necks looks so thin I'd be worried about snapping them); typical bevelers look more like this. For comparison: wax carving tools.
posted by specialagentwebb at 5:42 AM on December 21, 2016

1-4 could be leather stamps, the others skiving or edging?
Also, I find the videos of Harry Rogers informative for leatherwork.
posted by 445supermag at 7:09 AM on December 21, 2016

They're for "tooling" leather which is carving designs into it. I don't know what each one is called but the set is familiar, plus most people will add various of their own. They are going to be very sharp btw.
posted by fshgrl at 7:39 AM on December 21, 2016

Leatherworker here. Someone might have repurposed these for leather work, but they are not standard tools. Leatherworking stamping tools are used in conjunction with a mallet/maul once a design has been carved with a swivel knife. The tools in the OP are for scraping and manipulating a soft substance and would break or bend if struck with any force.

They look like clay/wax carving tools.
posted by Wossname at 8:01 AM on December 21, 2016 [1 favorite]

I know electronics workers who use these for poking, prying, pulling, pressing and probing. They call them dental picks. Like here:
https://vetco.net/products/4-piece-double-sided-dental-pick-set?gclid=CjwKEAiA7ejCBRDlp8uF6ezPnjoSJAAPED7MoRaTA4-FwRSW2VHqbd2h0pA5jCIf5vug50bt-a6iwRoCz-jw_wcB
posted by at at 9:13 AM on December 21, 2016

I believe they may be from Pakistan (which would make sense I think). You might have to wait until you can next visit the bazaar and ask the leather workers there.
posted by adamvasco at 2:44 PM on December 21, 2016