Are you seeking to create additional holes in items such as belts, dog collars, wristbands, watchbands, certain footwear, and others? The ultimate leather hole punch on the market can assist in accurately creating a hole in your leather goods, avoiding fraying of the material or ensuring immediate sealing after the cut.
What Is a Leather Hole Punch?
It is a manual device you can use to punch holes on any leather surface. The leather hole punch features a cylindrical steel tip with a sharp, knife-like edge that easily cuts into the leather to leave a clean hole. While you can also punch holes on leather using a knife, nail, or other sharp objects, using punches is the only way to guarantee a durable hole that is uniform with other holes.
You can get two types of leather punches: a rotary punch or a simple metal tool you can strike with a hammer. Rotary punches are better and designed on a tool resembling pliers that also features a punch plate beneath the rotary turret.
Now that you know what a leather punch is and the two types you can choose from, we will share the five best rotary leather hole punches you can buy today. In addition, we will also discuss which factors to consider before buying your leather punch and how to punch professional holes on any leather material.
1. XOOL Leather Hole Punch Set
This XOOL toolset is your best leather hole punch for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it is a revolving hole punch designed for punching holes on leather surfaces like belts, straps, watch bands, dog collars, saddles, and more.
Secondly, it can punch different-sized holes, thus ideal for all your leather creations. It can punch 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, and 4.5mm holes for the most professional looks. In addition, the leather punch is also made with high-quality steel that is also treated to prevent oxidation.
The rotary punch plier also comes in an ergonomic design with comfort grips and a larger punch plate. The punch requires less squeezing with the double lever design, making it ideal for you even if you have arthritis or other wrist conditions. This affordable set comes with a professional punch, a backup brass pad, a screwdriver, and a grinding rod.
PROS
- Relatively affordable
- Offers different punch sizes
- Easy to use
- Durable construction
- Works on all types of leather
- Anti-slip grip handle makes using the tool safer
- Great for professionals and hobbyists
CONS
- The hole punchers are not labeled with their sizes
2. Pro-Master Smart & Simple Leather Punch
The Pro-Master Smart & Simple leather punch is designed for making holes sizes of 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, and 4.5mm on any leather piece. With the six-hole sizes, you can use the punch for any leather hobby or professional project, and you are guaranteed great results since the tool tightly locks in any position.
In addition to making holes on leather, you can also use this tool to punch holes on other surfaces like cardboard, rubber, canvas, polyurethane, and silk because it comes with a large punch plate. The tool also comes with a double-lever design that makes it easier to punch the holes.
In terms of design, it is a rotary punch that comes with comfortable grip handles for all hand sizes plus extra safety when working. It is also constructed using manganese steel and coated with black paint to prevent oxidation.
The company promises the best customer service resources, with a 90-day moneyback guarantee and 100% satisfaction. The set comes with a leather punch, three large punch plates, a screwdriver, a ruler, and an e-book manual.
PROS
- Easy to use
- Comfortable grips for safety
- Durable steel construction with black paint coating to prevent oxidation
- It can cut six different hole sizes
- Works with all leather pieces, plus plastic, cardboard, canvas, and more materials
- It also comes with all needed accessories
- Ideal for people with wrist problems as it does not require too much strength to punch the holes
- Relatively affordable
- Comes with a 90-day moneyback guarantee
CONS
- The punch sizes are not labeled
3. General Tools Hole Punch Tool for Leather
If you love leatherwork, you need a reliable tool to make new or extra holes often. The General Tools rotary punch is one of the best leather punches you can find at such an affordable price. It is made with premium stainless steel and coated with paint to prevent oxidation.
Additionally, this is one of the hole punches designed specifically for leather surfaces, but it also can punch precise holes into canvas, cardboard, and other similar materials. It has sharp edges and six different punch sizes that make clean holes.
It is ergonomically designed for use with one hand, and it also features rubber handles for extra grip and safety, especially when you have to make many holes. In addition, it is self-opening and easier to clean when the punches are full. However, unlike other revolving hole punches on this list, this one does not have extra accessories.
PROS
- Very affordable price
- Features very durable construction with plated steel
- Sharp punches in different sizes making the punch ideal for all projects
- Designed for punching holes on leather materials
- Rubber grips make the tool easier and safer to work with
CONS
- Does not come with extra accessories
4. Diyife Leather Hole Puncher
The Diyife punch plier is another tool you can use on leather, canvas, cardboard, rubber, and similar surfaces. It comes with strong punches of different sizes, so it can create precise holes on the surface you work on.
It also comes with a double-lever mechanism, so you don’t have to squeeze hard to make holes, and you can also use it with one hand. In addition, the tool is made with plated, hardened steel which is also coated to prevent oxidation, making it a durable option.
The punch comes with durable, anti-slip handles that make it safe for punching holes for extended periods, and it also features a bottom ring for storing it easily when you are done working. The affordable set comes with the punch, a ruler, an extra punch plate, and a screwdriver.
PROS
- Affordable leather punch
- Made with durable, plated steel and coated to prevent oxidation
- Features six sharp punches for cutting clear holes into leather
- It works on leather, canvas, cardboard, and other similar materials
- Features anti-slip handles for safer use and reduced hand fatigue
- It comes with a bottom ring so you can store it easily
- The set comes with an extra punch plate, a ruler, and a screwdriver
- It used a double-lever mechanism to reduce wrist fatigue
- It comes with a 4-day moneyback guarantee and 12 months of free service
CONS
- The six punch sizes are not labeled
5. WoneNice Belt Hole Puncher for Leather
This rotary punch for leather is another option you can choose. It is one of the best heavy-duty punches, made with durable stainless steel and coated with black paint to prevent oxidation. In addition, it also can punch holes of different sizes, from 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, and 4.5mm.
In addition to the punch sizes, the tool is ergonomically designed with comfortable PVC grip handles and a double lever design, so you won’t need to squeeze hard to punch a hole. The punch is ideal for all types of leather, plus other materials such as felt, plastic, canvas, cardboard, and more.
This tool comes with a bottom ring to store it safely after use and comes with a screwdriver and an extra brass plate. It is also affordably priced.
PROS
- Affordable
- Allows you to punch extra holes of different sizes
- Build with durable steel and coated to prevent oxidation
- Easy to use
- Features a bottom ring for easier ad safer storage
- Ideal for punching holes in leather, cardboard, canvas, and other materials
- Comes with a screwdriver and an extra brass plate
CONS
- It does not come with a manual
Advantages of Using a Leather Punch
Are you wondering why you can’t pierce holes into your leather using any sharp object? Well, here are a few advantages of using a leather punch for your leatherwork.
- You can make uniform holes. The main benefit of a leather pouch is making precise and uniform holes on the surface you are working on. Compared to using a knife, nail, or drill, the hole you punch will not run or shrink once you remove the tool.
- They are easier to use. When using rotary punches, you will not need to strike or hit a tool to make the hole; you will only need to press the handles lightly to make more holes.
- You can use a punch longer without fatigue. If you have a project that needs completing fast, a leather punch will help you make more holes without arm fatigue. In addition, you will not make noise, so you can work through the night if need be.
- They are durable. Leather hole punches are designed with hardened steel that can last up to 30 years of continued use. In addition, most tools will be coated with black paint to prevent oxidation which could compromise the steel quality. Also, most rotary leather punches come with extra accessories for replacement, such as brass plates and a screwdriver.
- They work on different leather surfaces. A punch is ideal for a leather belt, a dog collar, a wristband, and more. The only consideration you will make is the size of the holes you need and how they are aligned.
Factors to Consider Before You Buy Leather Hole Punches
It s no good using any tool other than a leather punch to make holes on a leather belt or any other leather surface that needs clear-cut holes. A leather punch makes the holes and removes the cut, leather surface, and you will not notice the difference between the new holes and the old holes.
In addition, it will help you design your leather DIY craft projects knowing you can make any size of holes, plus the patterns you can work with. Here are the factors you can consider before getting the best leather punch.
a) Ease of Use
When considering which best hole punch to get, ease of use relates to how much force you need to apply when punching holes and if the punches align with the punch plates.
When buying, you will notice the best leather hole punches come with a double lever mechanism. It makes it easier to squeeze the handles when punching leather holes. The double-lever mechanism is a feature you need for your punch if you intend to use it for many years.
Then, you will also find these leather tools come with different-sized punches. While even the worst quality leather punches have different punches on a revolving head, you will need to pay attention to where the punch lands on the brass or plastic plate. It needs to land on the plate to preserve sharpness and guarantee clean holes.
b) Handles
It would help to get handles that are easy to grip so you can work for long periods. When buying, look for handles that come with anti-slip grips, preferably made with rubber, as these can provide good grip even if you sweat.
c) The shape of holes you need
Leather punches can come in any of two shapes; either round or oval. You need to consider this design feature if you need the tool to add more holes to your existing leather items. For instance, if your leather belt has round holes, you will need a punch with round cutting edges.
It is also a good consideration when buying a tool for your project where you need either round or oval holes.
d) The best punch sizes
When looking for a rotary hole punch, consider what hole sizes you need to make on your leather surfaces. Most tools come with six different-sized punches. If you want to make extra holes on a belt, you need a punch that will make the same hole sizes, while you can pick any punch size for your new DIY projects.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Leather Hole Punch
a) Is it durable?
Yes, the leather hole punches are made with durable materials such as hardened steel with anti-slip grip handles. The punches can last up to 30 years with good care.
b) How do I use the best leather hole punches?
You can make extra holes on leather as follows;
- Mark where you need the holes to go.
- Pick the right punch size and rotate it into place.
- Insert the leather material between the punch and the plate, making sure to align the marked spot perfectly.
- Squeeze the handles with your hand to make a hole.
- Continue until you make all the required holes.
