General Tools 73 Revolving Punch Pliers - 6 Multi-Hole Sizes for Leather, Rubber & Plastic Review (2026)

Who this punch fits

This tool fits anyone who regularly punches holes in belts, straps, gaskets or hobby materials and wants a single pliers-style punch that covers multiple hole sizes rather than switching between separate single-size punches. General Tools describes this as a heavy duty, self-opening revolving punch aimed at leather, rubber and plastic, which makes it useful beyond pure leathercraft for jobs like pet collars, handbags and general craft or repair work. It suits someone who values speed and convenience, since a rotating head with six built-in sizes means no separate punch set to keep track of, though very heavy commercial use may call for a bench mounted punch instead.

The six hole sizes and build

According to General Tools' own specifications, the revolving head offers six hole diameters: 5/64, 3/32, 7/64, 1/8, 5/32 and 3/16 inch, covering the range most belt, strap and light gasket work needs. The punches themselves are described as tapered and hollow, made from hardened steel for a cleaner cut and longer edge life than a solid, non-hardened punch tip. The tool is made of plated steel and measures about 9.5 inches tall by 3.5 inches wide by 0.81 inches deep, weighing roughly 15.2 ounces, putting it in a comfortable, one-handed size for most users.

How the compound-joint action works

General Tools highlights a compound-joint design that is meant to require less hand effort than a simple single-pivot punch, spreading the squeezing force more efficiently through the handles to make repeated punches less tiring on the hand. The tool also features an asymmetric handle shape and an ergonomic grip aimed at comfort during extended use, and it automatically springs back open after each squeeze so the next hole can be lined up without manually resetting the jaws. To use it, the handle is unlocked, the wheel rotated to the desired hole size, the material aligned in the jaws, and the handles squeezed to punch through.

Where hand strength becomes the limit

Because this is a manual pliers-style punch rather than a lever or bench mounted press, the amount of force it can generate is ultimately limited by how hard the user can squeeze the handles, which becomes noticeable on thicker leather, heavier rubber or stacked material. On soft or thin leather the six hardened punches cut cleanly, but on softer leather in general, some users may notice the hole edge coming out slightly less crisp than a sharpened single-purpose punch would produce. For belts, straps, light tack repair and craft materials within its size range, though, the tool performs the job it is built for without needing a bench setup.

How it compares in this guide

In this guide, a Reppin Tools industrial grade rotary punch with hardened carbon steel scores noticeably higher, reflecting a heavier duty build aimed at more demanding use. This General Tools 73 punch sits above a 6-size Leathercraft branded rotary punch plier, a Leather Rotary Tip punch and an XOOL revolving punch kit, all of which score lower in this comparison, and above Tandy's own economy all-purpose rotary punch, which ranks lowest of the group. For someone who wants a recognized, established brand name with a proven compound-joint design, General Tools' 73 lands solidly in the upper half of this particular lineup.

Frequently asked questions