To start leathercraft you need a small set of quality tools covering cutting, stitching, and edge finishing — not a large kit. Begin with simple projects like key fobs and card holders, use vegetable-tanned leather, and focus on learning the process rather than completing impressive pieces. Quality over quantity at the start makes a significant difference to how quickly you improve.
The tools you actually need for leathercraft cover five processes: cutting, marking, punching, stitching, and edge finishing. A snap-off knife, metal ruler, pricking iron, mallet, harness needles, waxed thread, glue, edge beveller, and a burnishing product will cover all of these. Everything else can wait until you have learned those basics and know exactly what you need next.
You can start leatherworking on a modest budget by buying a small number of essential tools rather than a large cheap kit. The biggest budget mistake is spending on poor-quality cutting tools, pricking irons, and edge bevellers — these are the tools that affect your results most. Budget well on the tools you use most, delay everything else, and build up from there.
The best beginner leather projects are key fobs, card holders, simple straps, and notebook covers. These are not chosen because they look impressive — they are chosen because they teach the skills that matter: clean cutting, consistent stitching, and proper edge finishing. A key fob done cleanly teaches more than a bag done badly.