Awl & Hide

Hardware & Materials

The leather and metal you actually build with. These guides explain tannage and weight, including what those 8–9 oz numbers really mean for how a piece behaves, and how to read a hide so you cut your good pieces from its best areas. On the hardware side we cover fitting snaps, rivets, buckles, and Chicago screws, the right setter or anvil for each, and how to avoid the common mistakes that leave a fastener loose or crooked. Pick the right material for the job and half the work is already done.

Hardware & Materials

8 guides
Hardware & Materials

How to Store Leather and Keep It in Good Condition

Learn how to store leather hides and offcuts so they stay supple, avoid drying out, and remain project-ready for months or years.

July 3, 2026
Hardware & Materials

Leather Weights and Thicknesses Explained for Beginners

A beginner's leather weight chart covering oz to mm conversions, what thickness suits each project, and how weight affects stitching and skiving.

July 1, 2026
Hardware & Materials

Buckles, D-Rings, and Hardware: A Beginner's Buying Guide

Learn which leather hardware you actually need, how to choose the right sizes, and where to buy buckles, D-rings, and snaps for your first projects.

June 27, 2026
Hardware & Materials

Leather Grades Explained: Full-Grain, Top-Grain, and Genuine

Learn what leather grades actually mean, how full-grain, top-grain, and genuine leather differ, and which to choose for your first project.

June 26, 2026
Hardware & Materials

How to Install Snaps and Press Studs in Leather

Learn how to install snaps in leather step by step: tools, sizing, setting technique, and how to avoid the most common beginner mistakes.

June 19, 2026
Hardware & Materials

How to Set Rivets in Leather (Without Wrecking Them)

Learn how to set rivets in leather correctly—rapid rivets, copper rivets, and Chicago screws—with the right post length, hole size, and technique.

June 15, 2026
Hardware & Materials

How to Choose Your First Hide (Sides, Shoulders, and Bellies)

Learn how to choose leather hide as a beginner: full hides, sides, shoulders, bellies, square footage, grades, and where to buy.

June 11, 2026
Hardware & Materials

Vegetable-Tanned vs Chrome-Tanned Leather: What's the Difference?

Vegetable tanned vs chrome tanned leather explained: how each is made, what it's good for, and which type beginners should buy first.

June 7, 2026

← All topics