Let’s talk stitching irons. The good, the bad, and the why. Before we dive into the pros and cons of each type, let’s identify what those types are. There are 3 popular types I’ll be discussing here. The European, or French style irons, the diamond irons, and the stitching punch.

Like any new hobby, it can be intimidating to jump into something with very little knowledge. I remember back when I first saw leathercraft videos and wanting to dive in headfirst but was quickly paralyzed with intimidation when it came time to purchase some leather. There were tons of options, and I had no idea what was good, bad, right, or wrong. What does chrome-tan mean? What does veg-tan mean? What’s the best leather for a simple wallet? I seemed like every decision on what to buy led to a ton of questions. Thankfully, this is why it’s awesome living in the era of information.

Check amazon and you’ll find a million leather craft kits for a reasonable price. In fact, that’s how I started as well. However, over the years through a lot of trial and error I’ve learned what works, and what doesn’t. Or should I say, I’ve learned what works for me. So here’s my favorites.