The Complete Guide to Leatherworking

It's a solid overview for a complete newbie, and I did appreciate the honest cost breakdowns - that's what I was looking for. But I felt like the author was a little too cautious in places, almost trying to talk me out of it. I also wanted more photos or diagrams, but it's a text book, so I get it. It gave me a good baseline, but I ended up supplementing with YouTube videos anyway.

I have been 'thinking about' leatherworking for two years and was paralyzed by all the conflicting advice online. This book finally gave me a clear, honest picture. I loved that it didn't try to sell me a fancy kit - it just told me what I actually needed. The chapter describing a typical session was so accurate to what I imagined, but also honest about the frustrating parts. I bought my starter tools the next day and just finished my first wallet. Worth every penny.

This is the book I wish I had six months ago when I was aimlessly watching leatherworking videos. It's so refreshingly honest - it tells you the truth about how long your first project actually takes and how many times you'll stab yourself with an awl. I really appreciated the clear pricing tiers; I'm on a budget and knowing I could start for under $100 was the push I needed. The self-assessment checklist actually made me feel more confident, not less.

A very practical and honest guide. I've been a woodworker for years and wanted to try leather, and this book was a great bridge. The gear comparison table is worth the price alone - it saved me from buying junk. I docked a star because I felt some sections could have been deeper, but for a complete beginner deciding on a hobby, it hits the mark. The chapter on a typical session is spot-on in describing the rhythm of the work.

The information is good and the tone is friendly, but it felt a bit too basic for me. I'm a fairly handy person and I found some of the explanations of simple tools to be over-explained. However, I did appreciate the honest look at the costs - it's more expensive than I thought to get good quality tools. It's a fine starting point, but I think I could have found most of this info for free online with a few hours of searching. It's a nice consolidation, but not mind-blowing.

I was on the fence about trying leatherworking because I live in a small apartment, and this guide directly addressed my concerns. The section on space needed and the honest time commitment per session was exactly what I needed. It's written like a friend giving you advice, not a salesman. It convinced me to start with a simple kit and a single project, which I've now finished. The main reason for 3 stars is that I found the writing a bit dry in the middle chapters.

This guide is a masterclass in setting realistic expectations. It doesn't romanticize the hobby; it shows you the beauty of it through the honest work of it. I loved the chapter on what a typical session feels like - the quiet focus, the smell of the leather, and the moment your needle breaks for the third time. It also gave me a clear roadmap for learning without wasting money. I went from curious to confident in one weekend read. Highly recommend to anyone on the fence.