The 10 Best Hole Punches For Leather

Editor's Notes

August 06, 2020:

The Beadsmith Rotating makes its way onto the list in this update. This budget-friendly model is great for small- to medium-sized projects involving resizing of a belt, a wristwatch, or a purse strap. It’s got six sizes of holes in 2, 2-1/2, 3, 3-1/2, 4, and 4-1/2-inch diameter sizes. Just turn the dial to click it on your desired setting. This comfortable choice features spring-action handles that can be locked in place when not in use. It’s lightweight at just 13 ounces, with a covered compartment for debris collection. It replaces the Realeather Professional, which is no longer available at this time. After some deliberation, we kept the Herm Sprenger Revolving in the top spot, as this German-made tool is hard to beat when it comes to comfort and durability. This efficient choice is made to cut through tough materials with much less pressure than many alternatives, so you’ll get a perfect hole every time with just one squeeze. It’s got six common punch sizes and a sleek all-black construction. The Neiko Multi-Purpose also remains high on the list, and this versatile choice is good for anything from soft canvas to tough sheet metal. It includes punches and corresponding dies in seven sizes, and comes with a handy protective carrying case.

Those involved in making jewelry or other similar crafts and who prefer one-stop shopping should look to the Glarks Adjustable, an all-inclusive set that comes with a hole punch tool, an awl tool, a grinding rod, a screwdriver, a steel ruler, and 100 single-cap rivets in three sizes. It all comes in a compartmentalized storage pouch for easy storage. If you’re interested in the punches but not the tool, check out the SE Hollow, which are meant to be driven through your materials using either a hammer or a mallet. Included among the 12 punches are some large sizes not found on typical rotary models. They feature textured nonslip grips and arrive in a black zippered storage pouch.

June 04, 2019:

Designed for leather tack, the Herm Sprenger Revolving is a great choice if you need to cut through tough, thick materials. It has rubber grips and requires much less force than most others, so it's easy on your hands, too. The Neiko Multi-Purpose is a heavy-duty model with a compound lever design that allows it to punch through sheet metal up to 16 gauge. It's made entirely of steel, and the punches and dies are heat-treated for durability. At a highly affordable price, the Knipex Revolving Plier Tool is one of the best budget-friendly models available. It stays sharp much longer than most cheap punches, and the wheel locks into place to ensure proper alignment.

For jewelry, shoes, or punching holes in leather garments before stitching, the Realeather Multi-Sized has six pointed tips in sizes ranging from .8mm to 2mm. It works well on lightweight leather, but it's not designed for thicker materials.

If you need to make holes more than a few inches away from the edge of a piece of leather, where a handheld model can't reach, you'll need a set of hollow punches. These sharpened metal tubes are driven through materials with a mallet, so you can place the holes anywhere. The SE Hollow are made from heat-hardened, high-carbon steel and include sizes up to 3/4-inch. They're available in sets of six, seven, nine, and twelve. The Garrett Wade Hollow Punch Set consists of a steel handle that the tips screw onto, which makes it easier to work with for punches with smaller diameters.