Kevin Lee tools have earned a strong reputation among serious leatherworkers, especially for French-style pricking irons. These are tools makers often seek out by name because they are built for the accuracy, control and consistency that hand leatherwork depends on.
Hideout Craft is an authorised Kevin Lee stockist in the UK. We stock Kevin Lee because the tools fit our own workshop standard: practical, well-made, reliable in use and suitable for leatherworkers who want to move beyond basic starter tools.
The 3.85mm French-style pricking irons were already on our bench before Hideout Craft opened. Every Kevin Lee tool we stock is chosen because it has a clear place in real leatherwork — not because we are trying to fill a catalogue.
Why Hideout Craft Stocks Kevin Lee
Hideout Craft stocks Kevin Lee because the tools match the type of leatherwork we care about: clean stitching, accurate cutting, controlled punching, reliable edge preparation and tools that feel right at the bench.
They are not throwaway starter tools, and they are not stocked simply because the brand name is known. We choose them because they are practical, well-finished and genuinely useful for leatherworkers who want better results from their tools.
That matters to us. A good leathercraft tool should help the maker work more accurately, not fight against them.
Kevin Lee French-Style Pricking Irons
Kevin Lee French-style pricking irons are the core of the range at Hideout Craft. We stock them primarily in 3.85mm pitch, with 2-tooth, 8-tooth and 12-tooth options for curves, corners, starting lines and longer straight runs.
The appeal is consistency. Accurate tooth spacing, clean entry and a taller handle profile help makers keep the iron upright before striking, which supports straighter stitch lines and more consistent hole angles.
The 3.85mm pitch is a strong all-round choice for leather goods such as belts, wallets, straps, bags and general hand-stitched work.
For finer work, a 2.7mm pitch option is also available for smaller goods, thinner leather and tighter stitch spacing.
Browse Kevin Lee pricking irons
The Kevin Lee Tool Range
Beyond the irons, the Kevin Lee range covers core tools that serious leatherwork requires. Everything we stock is chosen because it belongs on the bench — nothing is here for catalogue completeness.
Cutting and skiving — the full-tang skiving knife in left and right-handed versions, the pattern knife, and straight awl handle with interchangeable French and diamond awl blades. These tools are chosen for controlled cutting, skiving, marking and hole preparation.
Edge finishing — edge bevellers in size 2 and size 4, alongside the ebony burnisher set. These cover the type of edge preparation most makers need, from subtle bevels on finer goods through to more pronounced edges on heavier builds.
Punching and setting — drive punch set, 15mm corner punch and interchangeable round hole punch covering 1mm through to 15mm. The interchangeable punch set is especially useful because one handle covers a wide size range without needing a drawer full of individual punches.
Stitching and forming — the Kevin Lee stitching pony, bone folder and adjustable creaser. These are practical bench tools for holding, creasing, folding, shaping and improving control during assembly.
Driving tools — the tapered craftsman’s maul, weighted for a clean, controlled strike with less bounce than a standard mallet. A consistent strike helps with punching, setting and pricking iron work.
Browse the full Kevin Lee range at Hideout Craft
Artisan Soul Waxed Polyester Thread
We also stock Artisan Soul waxed polyester thread, the thread Kevin Lee uses and recommends. It is a round 0.55mm thread available in a wide colour range and works especially well with 3.85mm pricking iron spacing.
It is consistent, well-finished and practical for everyday leathercraft. It costs less than some premium European threads without giving anything up in regular workshop use, which makes it a strong choice for makers building belts, wallets, straps, bags and small leather goods.
This is the thread we use in our own workshop.
Browse Artisan Soul waxed thread
Kevin Lee on YouTube
For makers who want to see Kevin Lee pricking irons in use before buying, leathercraft educator Nigel Armitage has tested and demonstrated Kevin Lee irons in his workshop videos.
His videos are useful because they show the tools being used in proper leatherwork, not just photographed as products. Where relevant, we embed his videos on product pages so customers can see the irons in action before choosing.
This is included as a useful independent reference, not as a Hideout Craft endorsement claim.
Why Choose Kevin Lee Tools?
Kevin Lee tools make sense for leatherworkers who want a step up in control, finish and consistency.
They suit makers who care about clean stitch lines, reliable edge work, controlled cutting and tools that feel stable during use. They are especially useful for leatherworkers moving beyond basic starter kits and building a more serious bench setup.
That is why Kevin Lee has a place at Hideout Craft.
We stock the tools because we use them, trust them and believe they offer strong value for serious hand leatherwork.
Shop Kevin Lee Tools at Hideout Craft
Hideout Craft is an authorised UK stockist for Kevin Lee leathercraft tools.
Shop Kevin Lee French-style pricking irons, skiving knives, awls, punches, edge tools, stitching tools and selected workshop accessories from UK stock.
Browse Kevin Lee leathercraft tools
Need Help Choosing Kevin Lee Tools?
For most leatherworkers, the 3.85mm French-style pricking irons are the best starting point. They give a clean, balanced stitch spacing suitable for a wide range of leather goods.
For finer work, 2.7mm may be the better choice. For broader bench setup, the skiving knife, stitching pony, edge bevellers and hole punch set are all practical additions.
Need help choosing? Contact Hideout Craft at sales@hideoutcraft.co.uk.