What are the essential tools for leatherworking?

Essential tools for leatherworking include knives, awls, edgers, dividers, compasses and hammers. These are the best basic tools to have for leatherwork, according to professional saddlers' site Leathercraft.

Essential knives for leatherwork include the craftsman trimming knife, round knife and skife knife. Awls are used to punch holes in leather; some types can puncture multiple layers of leather at once. It's useful to have several different sizes of awl.

Edge bevelers, or edgers, are used to round off the edges of a piece of leather, notes leathercraft website Tandy Leather. A wing divider or compass is used to make an even score on leather to cut or sew it cleanly, notes GoodsJapan.com.