Awl & Hide

Tooling & Carving

8 guides

Vegetable tanned leather is the only hide that holds a tooled impression. Learn which weight and grade to buy, what to avoid, and how to get started.

Learn how to wet mold leather to create 3D shapes. A beginner's guide to wetting, forming, and drying leather over molds safely.

Learn how to tool leather from scratch: casing veg-tan, choosing stamping tools, setting up your slab, and striking clean impressions every time.

Learn basketweave leather stamping step by step, tools, prep, and stamping sequence for clean geometric results on your first try.

Learn how to transfer a pattern onto leather for tooling with three reliable methods, plus tips for crisp lines and clean results every time.

Learn how to use a swivel knife for leather carving: parts, grip, blade depth, casing leather, and making clean decorative cuts.

A practical guide to beginner leather stamping tools: which stamps to buy first, how to case leather, and striking technique for clean impressions.

Learn how to case leather correctly for tooling and stamping: the right moisture level, how to test it, and how to avoid common beginner mistakes.