Buying guide
The Wallet Making Kit
Updated How we research
From first cut to finished bifold. The page is split into five sections (Leather that holds its shape; Line the interior in suede; Punch clean stitch holes; Round the corners; Paint the edges), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 20 picks. Our scores range from 7.0 to 8.6 out of 10.
- Best overall:Weaver Leather Supply Diamond Leather Stitching Chisel Set, Precise 3mm Hole Punch, Color-Coded Hole Punch Set. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Aiskaer Leather Stitching Punch Set, Diamond Chisel Tools, 4mm White Steel 1/2/4/6 Prong for Leather Craft DIY. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.0/10.
- Solid build:Premium Natural Vegetable Tanned Tooling Leather 3-4 oz (1.2-1.6mm) | Pre-Cut Full Grain Grade A Cowhide for DIY Projects, Stamping, Carving, Dyeing, Molding. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Feature-rich:52 Shape Style Leather Hole Punch Tool for Belts, 14 Sizes Leather Corner Punch, Half-Round Punch Set, Leather End Punch. Features score of 9/10, overall 7.9/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Leather that holds its shape
- Premium Natural Vegetable Tanned Tooling Leather 3-4 oz (1.2-1.6mm) | Pre-Cut Full Grain Grade A Cowhide for DIY Projects, Stamping, Carving, Dyeing, MoldingOur score8.4/10
- Hand and Leather Craft - Veg Tan Leather 2/3 oz (0.8-1.2mm) A Grade Tooling Leather Hide - Full Grain Vegetable Tanned Leather, Carving, Tooling, Molding, Dyeing (2.5-4 Sqft)Our score7.8/10
- Genuine Leather Tooling Sheets 1.8-2.0MM Thick Genuine Top Full Grain Oil Tan Crazy Horse Cowhide Leather Sheets for Crafts Tooling Sewing Wallet Earring Hobby (Dark Brown, 8"x12")Our score7.2/10
- RingSun 12''X24'' Genuine Leather Sheets for Crafts Full Grain Leather Tooling Leather (2mm) Thick Cowhide Leather Pieces Square, Dark BrownOur score7.0/10
Line the interior in suede
- Pig Suede Sepia 11-16 SQFT HideOur score8.1/10
- ELW Chap Splits Suede Leather 4-5 oz (1.6-2mm) - Pre-Cut Sand 4-6 SQ FT | USA Made AB Grade Full Grain Leather SheetOur score7.6/10
- SLC's Imported Pig Leathers by The Square Foot (Suede, Brown)Our score7.3/10
- 1.5mm Suede Leather Piece Soft Genuine Cow Split Leather Suede Hide Skin Leather Material for Leathercraft Sewing Accessories (Light Brown, 12'' x 8'')Our score7.0/10
Punch clean stitch holes
- Weaver Leather Supply Diamond Leather Stitching Chisel Set, Precise 3mm Hole Punch, Color-Coded Hole Punch SetOur score8.6/10
- Aiskaer Leather Stitching Punch Set, Diamond Chisel Tools, 4mm White Steel 1/2/4/6 Prong for Leather Craft DIYOur score8.0/10
- Aiskaer Leather Stitching Punch Set, Diamond Chisel Tools, 3mm White Steel 1/2/4/6 Prong for Leather Craft DIYOur score7.8/10
- KEWAYO 3-Piece Leather Stitching Chisel Set - 4mm Diamond Prong (2/4/6 Teeth) for Leather CraftOur score7.2/10
Round the corners
- 52 Shape Style Leather Hole Punch Tool for Belts, 14 Sizes Leather Corner Punch, Half-Round Punch Set, Leather End PunchOur score7.9/10
- Diudus 3 Sizes Leather Corner Punch 0.98/1.18/1.57 Inch V-Shaped Leather Punch, Belt Punch Cutter English Point End Punch (25mm, 30mm, 40mm)Our score7.8/10
- Leather Corner Punch Set, 10 Sizes Corner Edge Trimmer Leather Craft Tools Half Round Punch Arc Shaped Leather Edge Cutter PunchOur score7.8/10
- uxcell 5pcs Arc-Shaped Leather Punch, 10mm-40mm, Leather Cutter Arch Curve, Belt End Cutter, Iron Flatter Curve Punch Tool for Crafting Strap Belt, Wallet and BagOur score7.0/10
Paint the edges
- Fiebing's Edge Kote (4oz) - Black - Flexible, Water Resistant Coating for Leather Edges, Medium GlossOur score8.4/10
- Fiebing's Edge Kote (4oz, Neutral) - Leather Edge Paint for Shoes, Furniture, Purses, Couches, BeltsOur score7.8/10
- Fiebing's Edge Kote, 4 Oz. - Color Coats Leather Edges - BrownOur score7.8/10
- Fiebing's Edge Kote, 4 Oz. - Color Coats Leather Edges - Dark BrownOur score7.8/10
All 20 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1Weaver Leather Supply's diamond stitching chisel set at 3mm, color-coded for quick size identification.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Precise 3mm spacing suits wallets and refined small goods
- + Color-coded handles make grabbing the right chisel easy
- + Weaver quality tools hold alignment for straight stitch lines
- - 3mm spacing is slow on large bags and belts
- - Costs noticeably more than generic imported chisel sets
#2The Tannery NYC's natural veg tan sheet is 2 square feet of full grain Grade A cowhide at 3-4 oz (1.2-1.6mm), a firm, undyed panel sized for wallets, card holders and other small goods.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 3-4 oz, 1.2 to 1.6mm thickness is a firm, structured weight for card holders and wallet shells
- + Natural undyed surface is described as taking dye evenly, holding stamp impressions and burnishing well
- + Each piece is inspected for holes and thin spots, so the full 2 square feet is described as usable
- - 2 square feet covers only a few wallets, far less than a full hide for batch work
- - At 3-4 oz it is on the thick side for stacked interior card pockets, which usually call for thinner leather
#3Fiebing's Edge Kote in black, 4oz, a flexible, water resistant medium gloss coating for leather edges.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Flexible coating bends with belts and straps
- + Water resistant finish protects raw edges
- + Medium gloss black gives a clean, polished edge
- - Multiple thin coats are needed for a smooth edge
- - Can crack if applied too thick on flexible items
#4District Leathers' sepia pig suede is a chrome tanned, full-aniline hide of 11-16 square feet at 0.5-0.6mm (1.5 oz), a thin, large lining leather for bags, jackets and trim.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 0.5 to 0.6mm, 1.5 oz thickness is thin enough to line wallets and bags without adding bulk
- + Large 11-16 square foot hide gives long, uninterrupted lining panels
- + Listing states the essentials plainly: pig hide, chrome tannage, full-aniline dye
- - Hide size varies from 11 to 16 square feet, so you cannot know the exact area before it arrives
- - Sepia brown only on this listing, and the short spec bullets say nothing about grade or defects
#5Aiskaer's 4mm white steel diamond stitching chisel set in 1/2/4/6 prong, a classic starter set for hand stitching.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 4mm spacing suits bags, belts and bold hand stitches
- + 1/2/4/6 prong lineup handles straights, curves and corners
- + White steel teeth punch cleanly when polished
- - 4mm spacing looks coarse on fine wallets
- - Teeth may need polishing to pull out of leather easily
#6A 52 shape style punch collection with 14 sizes of corner punches, half-round punches and belt end punches.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + 52 shapes cover corners, belt ends and decorative holes
- + 14 sizes of corner punch fit many strap widths
- + One set replaces buying end punches individually
- - Many shapes will go unused in typical projects
- - Mixed set means lighter build than individual pro punches
#7The smallest 2.5-4 Sqft hide in Hand and Leather Craft's 2/3 oz A grade veg tan line, a trial size for wallet makers.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + 2.5-4 Sqft is an affordable way to test thin veg tan
- + Enough leather for a few card holders or one to two wallets
- + Same 0.8-1.2mm thickness as the larger hides for later restocking
- - Small hide runs out quickly if you make gifts in batches
- - Cost per square foot is usually higher than the big hides
#8Aiskaer leather stitching punch set in 3 mm pitch with 1, 2, 4 and 6 prong diamond chisels made of white steel, with a plastic box, a velvet bag and an instruction manual.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Four chisels (1, 2, 4 and 6 prong) with a 3 mm pitch, a finer spacing than the 4 mm Aiskaer set already in the guide.
- + White steel construction with a polished handle and a sharp rhombus tooth, according to the listing.
- + Comes with a plastic box, a velvet bag and an instruction manual, so the tools store together.
- - Only one pitch (3 mm) is included, while the unavailable set offered two pitches.
- - The listing says each tool is coated in rust preventive oil, so it must be wiped clean before use.
#9Diudus' 3 sizes V-shaped English point end punches, 25mm, 30mm and 40mm, for pointed belt and strap ends.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 3 sizes (25mm, 30mm, 40mm) match common strap widths
- + English point shape gives belts a classic tapered tip
- + Punch creates identical ends across a batch of straps
- - Only makes pointed tips, not rounded corners
- - Needs a heavy mallet and solid board for thick straps
#10A 10 sizes leather corner punch set with half round arc cutters, for trimming neat rounded corners and edges.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 10 sizes of arc cutters fit wallets through wide straps
- + Half round shape trims clean, consistent corners
- + Faster and more uniform than cutting curves by knife
- - Check the arc radius sizes match your wallet and strap corners
- - Arc punches can dull if struck on a hard surface
#11Fiebing's Edge Kote (4oz, Neutral) - Leather Edge Paint for Shoes, Furniture, Purses, Couches, Belts
Fiebing's Edge Kote in neutral, 4oz, an edge paint for shoes, furniture, purses, couches and belts.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Neutral shade seals edges without changing color
- + Works on belts, purses and furniture edges
- + Easy-apply edge coating hides fuzzy fibers
- - Painted edges look different from burnished edges
- - Neutral may not cover mismatched dye along edges
#12Fiebing's Edge Kote in brown, 4 Oz., a color coat for sealing and coloring leather edges on brown goods.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Brown shade matches medium brown dyed leather
- + Color coats and seals edges in one easy step
- + Seals edge fibers against moisture and fraying
- - Exact brown tone may not match every dye
- - Sanding edges first is still needed for a neat finish
#13Fiebing's Edge Kote in dark brown, 4 Oz., coloring and sealing edges on dark brown belts, wallets and bags.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Dark brown blends well with chocolate and dark dyes
- + Coats edges quickly compared with full burnishing
- + Fiebing's edge products pair with their dyes and finishes
- - Painted look may not appeal to burnished edge fans
- - Buildup can crack on very flexible leather edges
#14ELW's USA made chap splits suede in sand, 4-5 oz and 4-6 SQ FT, a heavy suede for chaps, aprons and rugged linings.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + USA made chap splits are tough enough for work chaps and aprons
- + 4-5 oz (1.6-2mm) weight holds up to abrasion and heavy use
- + 4-6 SQ FT covers larger panels than small suede pieces
- - Too thick to line slim wallets without bulk
- - AB grade may include marks that need cutting around
#15Springfield Leather's imported brown pig suede is sold by the square foot at 1-2.5 oz (0.41-1.0mm), a light lining leather for wallet interiors, handbags and jackets that you buy in the amount you need.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Sold by the square foot, and multiple quantities ship as one piece of that total footage
- + 1-2.5 oz, 0.41 to 1.0mm thickness suits linings, wallet interiors and handbags
- + Buying by the foot keeps the cost low when you only need to line a single project
- - Rough cut footage off full sides, not pre-cut rectangles, so the shape of each piece is irregular
- - May contain natural imperfections such as range marks and small holes, and the thickness range is wide
#16TeeLiy's dark brown oil tan sheet is an 8 x 12 inch piece of full grain pull-up cowhide, 1.8-2.0mm thick, a low-cost panel for a rustic wallet exterior or a pair of card holders.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Full grain pull-up oil tanned cowhide with a smooth, high-grease surface and some water resistance
- + Scratches can be rubbed out with a cotton cloth or refreshed with oil, according to the listing
- + Small 8 x 12 inch sheet keeps the cost low for a first wallet or a test project
- - One 8 x 12 inch sheet covers a single bifold exterior or a couple of card holders, not a batch of wallets
- - Listing pairs 1.8-2.0mm with 3-4 oz, figures that do not quite agree, and says the surface is not scratch proof
#17KEWAYO's 3-piece stitching chisel set with 4mm diamond prongs in 2/4/6 teeth, a minimal kit for hand sewing.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Compact set keeps only the most-used prong counts
- + 4mm diamond prongs make slanted, attractive stitches
- + Low-cost entry into proper stitching chisels
- - No single prong for tight corners and details
- - Only one spacing size included, so fine wallets look coarse
#18RingSun's dark brown leather sheet is one 12 x 24 inch piece of full grain pull-up oil tanned cowhide about 2mm thick, a firm panel with enough area for several wallet exteriors.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + One 23.8 x 12 inch sheet, big enough to cut several wallet shells and matching card holders
- + Pull-up oil tanned full grain cowhide with a firm feel that shows a two-tone effect when bent
- + Surface is described as rich in grease, hard to wrinkle and somewhat water resistant
- - About 2mm thick, so it suits wallet exteriors better than thin interior pockets unless you skive it
- - Sold as one dark brown sheet, with no leather grade or weight in ounces stated in the listing
#19A light brown 12'' x 8'' cow split suede piece at 1.5mm, a soft, sturdier suede for sewn accessories and pouches.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + 1.5mm cow split has more body than thin pig suede
- + Light brown tone pairs well with natural veg tan
- + Soft suede sews nicely for pouches and tool wraps
- - 12'' x 8'' size is only enough for small linings
- - Thicker suede adds bulk inside slim wallets
#20uxcell's 5-piece arc-shaped punch set covers 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40mm curves in one-piece iron, a small and inexpensive way to round wallet corners and strap ends without buying a 14-size kit.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Five arc sizes, 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, 30mm and 40mm, cover the common corner and belt-end curves
- + One-piece iron construction that the listing describes as wear-resistant and not easy to deform
- + Simple hammer-struck design suited to wallets, watch straps, belts and bags
- - Only five sizes, so there is no 25mm or 35mm step and far fewer options than the 14-size sets in this guide
- - No mallet or storage case is listed, and the listing note says to store the iron dry to avoid rust
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Leatherwork Nest curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.