We have been trying to get a hold of some leather rivets and other tools for working leather to no avail. Obviously the internet will have plenty of what we are trying to find, but the internet is for wussies.
I’ve tried Michael’s, Hancock Fabrics, Menards, Kmart, Target and Harbor Freight ToolsThatSmellBad. While we were able to find a leather punch tool, nobody has any rivets for joining pieces of leather together.
There has to be someone around town that specializes in this kind of work, other than some place like Duluth Pack which doesn’t actually sell the stuff.
Extra points for a place with a variety of supplies.
15 thoughts on “Leather-working materials in Duluth?”
Try Carr’s Hobby in Lincoln Park. They seem to have everything.
Will Gopher Shoe repair help you out? Those people are really great…
Just use grommets for everything. 😉
If you absolutely can’t find anything local this may be a good resource for you. They are the bible of the leather hobbyist world.
Leather Crafters & Saddlers Journal
I’m planning on coming up to Duluth from Milwaukee soon — Milwaukee’s was once the tanning capital of the world and still has a reasonably large leather-working presence. If you had any requests, I might be able to bring something up for you.
Duluth Pack @ Garfield and West Superior Street??
Marshall Hardware usually carries hard-to-find items.
Have you been to Duluth Leather Supply & Craft? Last time I was there was a few years ago, as I don’t work with leather but a friend did at the time. I’d imagine they have the specialty tools you’re looking for. It’s at 2007 W. Superior based on online info.
My friend is a big purveyor and trader of stone age era craftworks. He buys, sells and trades bones, stones and leatherwork of all kinds. I know this isn’t exactly what you are looking for but you can look him up HERE, or if that doesn’t work email me and I’ll get you in touch with him. It’s a fascinating world.
I don’t think anyone has suggested pineapple arts, but they are pretty awesome, too.
The Surplus Depot in Cloquet has a variety of leather and tools and supplies.
Frostriver.com. In fact they contacted me in an effort to increase their sustainability by offering post product material (material scraps) to our nonprofit.
The potential collaboration could have made a positive economic impact on our organization but unfortunately we are unable to use their material.
Our loss may be your gain.
If you need further contact info, email me.
I have looked also, just called: Marshall Hardware – no, Carr’s Hobby – no, Surplus Depot- they have a punch but nothing else. Also called Spirit Bay in canal park – they have a punch and an awl. Duluth Leather Supply and Craft has been out of business for three years. I’ve also checked all the stores you have mentioned. I am very disappointed, as I want to see them and feel them, I don’t like ordering this like this over the internet. If anyone has any other leads, please post. Thank you.
Alas, Tandy Leather … I knew thee well.
The guys from Frost River were really helpful, they gave pointers on the different types of fasteners and a few tricks to the hand-rivet trade. Plus we were able to knock a few things off our Christmas list while we were there.
I will have to check out the scraps, perhaps we could use them. I will contact you once I clarify with my partner.
Marshall’s hardware had a small variety of hand rivets, and we used a small galvanized pipe they had for a rivet setter. They also offered to special order parts for us, which is awesome.
I picked up a large bag of leather scraps from Duluth Pack Store for $15 and since I am most interested in small projects, they were helpful. However, they are all the same dark-died brown leather, not tooling pieces.