Best Leathercraft Hardware
Updated How we research
YKK #5 Metal Brass Closed Bottom Handbag/Craft Zippers - Ring Pull, Pick Color/Length (5 Zippers per Pack)
YKK #5 metal brass closed bottom zippers with ring pulls, 5 zippers per pack, in a choice of color and length.
Selizo 480 Sets Small Double Cap Leather Rivets 4 Colors 3 Sizes Tubular Metal Studs with 3 Pieces Setting Tool Kit
Selizo's 480 sets of small double cap tubular rivets in 4 colors and 3 sizes, with a 3 pieces setting tool kit.
Hardware is selected by the thickness of the stack it has to close, and getting that wrong is why so much of it pulls out later. A double cap rivet needs a post that ends between the two layers with almost nothing to spare, since too short and the cap never seats, too long and the post bends over inside and works loose within weeks. Assortments covering several post lengths in the six to twelve millimeter range are the sane way to buy, with cap diameter matched to strap width. Setting tools are not interchangeable, so a rivet wants its own concave die and an anvil that supports the cap without marking it, and a hand press starts paying for itself the moment you are doing more than a dozen at a time. Snaps are sized by line number, where the smaller line closes lightly on thin goods and the larger one gives the positive click a bag flap needs, and both arrive as four part sets whose setter has to match. Screw posts are the option to remember when a part should be replaceable, because a keeper or a watch strap held by a screw can be opened later with a driver and a drop of thread lock. Magnetic closures are rated by pull rather than diameter, and they need a washer behind them or they migrate through the lining.
The short version
We compared 9 picks. Our scores range from 7.6 to 8.6 out of 10.
- Best overall:YKK #5 Metal Brass Closed Bottom Handbag/Craft Zippers - Ring Pull, Pick Color/Length (5 Zippers per Pack). Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Selizo 480 Sets Small Double Cap Leather Rivets 4 Colors 3 Sizes Tubular Metal Studs with 3 Pieces Setting Tool Kit. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.3/10.
- Solid build:10 Pack 3/8" Solid Brass Gold Chicago Screws Leather Repair Screw Post Fastener. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.0/10.
- Feature-rich:BetterJonny 24 Sets Heavy Duty Leather Snap Fasteners Kit, 15mm Metal Snap Buttons Press Studs with 4 Setter Tools, Antique Brass. Features score of 8/10, overall 7.8/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.YKK #5 Metal Brass Closed Bottom Handbag/Craft Zippers - Ring Pull, Pick Color/Length (5 Zippers per Pack)8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.Selizo 480 Sets Small Double Cap Leather Rivets 4 Colors 3 Sizes Tubular Metal Studs with 3 Pieces Setting Tool Kit8.3/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.Tandy Leather Easy-to-Do Line 24 Snaps and Setter - Heavy Duty Snap Fasteners for Leather Bags, Belts, and Straps8.1/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.10 Pack 3/8" Solid Brass Gold Chicago Screws Leather Repair Screw Post Fastener8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.BetterJonny 24 Sets Heavy Duty Leather Snap Fasteners Kit, 15mm Metal Snap Buttons Press Studs with 4 Setter Tools, Antique Brass7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.JSDTECHPRO Chicago Screws for Leather Assorted Kit - 5 Sizes Flat Head, Carbon Steel Chicago Rivets (Silver)7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 7.CRAFTMEMORE 1.5 Inches Belt Buckle Single Prong Buckle for Replacement DIY Leather Craft (Hairline Gunmetal)7.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 8.Realeather Rivet Setter Tool Kit for Leathercrafting with Setter, Anvil, and 60 Assorted Rivets7.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 9.20 Set Magnetic Snaps, Purse Magnetic Bag Fastener Clasp Magnetic Button Replacement Kit (Bronze 14MM)7.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1YKK #5 metal brass closed bottom zippers with ring pulls, 5 zippers per pack, in a choice of color and length.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + YKK #5 zippers are trusted for strength and smooth pulls
- + Brass teeth suit leather bags and pouches
- + 5 zippers per pack cover multiple projects
- - Color and length must be selected carefully when ordering
- - Closed bottom zips do not work for jackets
#2Selizo's 480 sets of small double cap tubular rivets in 4 colors and 3 sizes, with a 3 pieces setting tool kit.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 480 sets supply many bags, straps and repairs
- + 4 colors and 3 sizes match most hardware looks
- + Setting tool kit is included, so you can start right away
- - Tubular rivets are weaker than solid copper rivets
- - Small caps may look undersized on heavy belts
#3Tandy Leather's Easy-to-Do Line 24 snaps and setter, heavy duty snap fasteners for bags, belts and straps.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Line 24 snaps are a strong, common size for leather
- + Setter included for straightforward installation
- + Tandy line makes restocking matching snaps easy
- - Order extra snaps ahead for larger batch projects
- - Needs a mallet and anvil surface to set cleanly
#4A 10 Pack of 3/8" solid brass gold Chicago screws, screw post fasteners for leather repair and belts.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Solid brass resists rust and looks classic on leather
- + 3/8" posts suit belts and medium leather stacks
- + Removable screws make interchangeable buckles possible
- - Only 10 Pack, so larger projects need more
- - Screws can loosen without a drop of thread locker
#5BetterJonny's 24 sets of heavy duty 15mm antique brass snaps with 4 setter tools, a kit for leather press studs.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Antique brass finish suits vintage style leather goods
- + 4 setter tools are bundled for easy setting
- + 15mm snaps give a firm hold on wallets and bags
- - 24 sets run out quickly on production work
- - Antique plating can wear on high-contact spots
#6JSDTECHPRO's assorted Chicago screw kit in 5 sizes, silver flat head carbon steel rivets for leather.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 5 sizes fit thin to thick leather stacks
- + Carbon steel posts are strong and durable
- + Flat head design sits low on the leather
- - Carbon steel may rust without plating care
- - Check the screw count covers your project before ordering
#7CRAFTMEMORE's 1.5 Inches single prong buckle in hairline gunmetal, a replacement buckle for DIY leather belts.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 1.5 Inches fits the most common belt blank width
- + Hairline gunmetal finish suits modern, dark belts
- + Single prong design is easy to attach with snaps or rivets
- - Plated finish may wear with daily use at the prong
- - Gunmetal color is less versatile than brass
#8Realeather's rivet setter tool kit with a setter, an anvil and 60 assorted rivets for basic leathercrafting.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Setter and anvil pair gives rounded, even rivet caps
- + 60 assorted rivets let you start projects right away
- + Simple kit suits beginners and occasional repairs
- - Rivet assortment runs out quickly on bigger jobs
- - Basic setter may not fit every rivet cap size
#9A 20 set pack of bronze 14MM magnetic snaps, purse and bag fastener clasps in a replacement kit.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 20 set supply covers many purses and pouches
- + Bronze finish matches warm brown leather
- + 14MM size is discreet on small bags and wallets
- - Small magnets have a lighter hold than larger clasps
- - Prong mounting needs a backing layer to prevent tearing
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Color and length must be selected carefully when ordering (YKK #5 Metal Brass Closed Bottom...)
- Tubular rivets are weaker than solid copper rivets (Selizo 480 Sets Small Double Cap Leather...)
- Order extra snaps ahead for larger batch projects (Tandy Leather Easy-to-Do Line 24 Snaps and...)
- Only 10 Pack, so larger projects need more (10 Pack 3/8" Solid Brass Gold Chicago Screws...)
- 24 sets run out quickly on production work (BetterJonny 24 Sets Heavy Duty Leather Snap...)
- Carbon steel may rust without plating care (JSDTECHPRO Chicago Screws for Leather...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among leathercraft hardware?
YKK #5 Metal Brass Closed Bottom Handbag/Craft Zippers - Ring Pull, Pick Color/Length (5 Zippers per Pack) is our top overall pick. YKK #5 metal brass closed bottom zippers with ring pulls, 5 zippers per pack, in a choice of color and length. It earns our score of 8.6/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Selizo 480 Sets Small Double Cap Leather Rivets 4 Colors 3 Sizes Tubular Metal Studs with 3 Pieces Setting Tool Kit is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Selizo's 480 sets of small double cap tubular rivets in 4 colors and 3 sizes, with a 3 pieces setting tool kit.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Leatherwork Nest independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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