Best Beginner Leathercraft Kit: Oka Factory Toolkit Review & Cardholder Tutorial
If you're just starting out in leathercraft and wondering which tools to invest in, let me introduce you to a game-changing kit that could save you time, money, and frustration: the Oka Factory “Welcome to Leathercraft” Toolkit.
I discovered this kit a couple of years ago and instantly knew it was something special. Back then, it was only available in Japan, so I tried piecing together a similar set from various European sellers to help newcomers get started affordably. It wasn’t easy. But recently, I found out that DecoCuir in France now stocks the kit—making it much more accessible for European crafters.
Note: This post isn’t sponsored. I bought the kit myself and have no affiliation with Oka Factory.
Unboxing the Kit
The packaging is simple but clever, showing how each tool is used right on the box. Inside, you’ll find:
Fun stickers and detailed paper instructions
A paper template for making a two-slot card holder
A versatile edge beveler for rounding edges
A sharp French skiver for thinning leather
A combination edge creaser and stitching groover with interchangeable bits
Stitching chisels (6, 4, and 2 teeth) in 3.5mm size
Fine sandpaper and a metal rod for sharpening
Two sets of 0.7mm nylon thread
A handful of round-tipped stitching needles
A generous amount of Tokonole burnishing agent
A cutting board
Every tool came sharp and ready to use—no prep needed.
Building the Card Holder
To demonstrate the kit, I built the card holder using vegetable-tanned leather from Radermecker, a Belgian tannery known for quality.
You’ll need a few extras not included in the kit:
A sharp knife or box cutter
Leather glue or neoprene cement
A mallet or wooden block (never use metal on metal!)
Cotton cloth, pen, and lighter
The process involves tracing the template, cutting the leather, skiving and beveling edges, burnishing with Tokonole, gluing, and stitching using the saddle stitch method. For beginners, I highly recommend checking out Nigel Armitage’s saddle stitching tutorial.
Sharpening and Finishing
The kit includes a green jeweler’s paste for stropping and a metal rod for polishing the beveler. These additions are brilliant for maintaining tool sharpness over time.
After stitching, I finished the leather with Saphir’s Crème Surfine, which buffs to a beautiful shine.
Final Thoughts & Pricing
At the time of purchase, the kit cost me around 73€, or 100€ with shipping to France. Import taxes may vary depending on your location, but even with those added costs, the value is undeniable.
For roughly 100 USD, you get:
All the essential tools for leathercraft
High-quality components
No unnecessary extras
Instructions and templates
Sharpening tools to extend tool life
If I’d had this kit when I started, I would’ve saved a ton of money—and now, so can you 😊
Ready to Start Crafting?
Whether you're a hobbyist or aspiring artisan, the Oka Factory toolkit is a fantastic starting point. I hope this post helps you take your first step into the world of leathercraft. Let me know if you try it out or have questions—I’d love to hear from you!