Giving your leather straps and belts the best Professional look doesn’t require the most advanced tools. Using simple handheld tools like the English Point Leather Punch can make a whole lot of difference in the quality of works you make.
In this article, I researched on the best English Point Leather Punches and I’m ready to share with you all I’ve found. So, what are the best English Point Leather Punches?
The best English Point Leather Punches are:
- Tandy Leather English Point Leather Punch
- WellieSTR English Point Leather Punch
- OWDEN English Point Leather Punch
- Yaetek Leather Strap End Punch
- Weaver English Point Leather Punch
- Leather UNLTD English Point Leather Punch
- Aiskaer Leather Punch
- C.S. Osborne English Point Leather Punch
The Reuleaux triangle end shape the English Point Leather Punch gives to the ends of belts and straps is absolutely classic and in addition to my overall list, I’m going to delve into a bit more information on the English point tool, a quick buyers guide to help you choose, and tips and so much more. Stick Around!
What’s an English Point Leather Punch?
The English Point Leather Punch is a small handheld tool that when hit with a mallet results in a tapered end on straps. The primary aim of this tool is to render a strap end that can easily slide through (belt) buckles or so it can easily be pulled through buckles.
The English Point Leather Punch, while it maintains relative similar shapes, will absolutely differ from brand to brand especially in size and its overall angle.
Buying Guide: English Point Leather Punch
This is yet another simple tool and you should be able to buy easily taking into considering only a few factors. These factors included:
Size:
Size is probably going to be the most important factor you would consider when it comes to choosing a leather English point punch. They come in different sizes suitable for different strap widths. So ensure you get the size that’s suitable for the kind of work you do.
If you’re a belt maker or make a lot of bags, getting a standard 1 inch English point tool will be versatile and of great use to you who’s just starting out – and later work your way up to other different sizes.
Single Tool Vs Sets:
You will be confronted with another issue whether to go for single tools or a set of English point. From my research, most single tools, especially from the big leather brands tend to be a lot more pricy than most sets of English points.
My general rule of thumb on this is to get a cheap set if you’re a beginner who’s just gotten into strap making and is still exploring whether you will like your new venture or not.
And just to let you know – cheap doesn’t always mean low quality. That’s why I have put together this article to bring to light English points that are at different price points but at the same time of good quality and will get the job done.
On the other hand, if you’re a professional and have being doing this for sometime now, you probably know it’s time to invest a bit more or upgrade the quality of tools you use for your end cuts.
Most professionals will have 1 or 2 end punches already in their tools box so getting a high quality single English point punch is absolutely the way to go.
Brand:
From my research, I gathered most manufacturers of the leather English point punches like Tandy leather, Weaver leather, and many others produce straps for various article that their end tools will be a perfect fit for and punch perfectly.
So if you’re already a customer of these leather brands and buy a lot of their straps, it will be a lot easier getting end punches that corresponds to a particular line of straps.
However, 9 out of 10, you should be able to apply any English point punch to straps with no regard to where it was bought or cut, leather so don’t overthink this.
English Point Leather Punch – Reviews
Here’s my researched review of 8 of the best English Point Leather Punches. So here they are presented in no particular order!
1. Tandy Leather (Best Quality English Point Leather Punch)
This English Point Strap End Punch from Tandy Leather factory is my take off point for this review. Their English point punches are hand forged with nicely polished handle for supreme comfortable grip and an an ultra sharp cutting edge.
The Tandy Leather Craftool English Point comes in a variety of sizes, that is 1-1/2inches (3.8cm) and 1-3/4 inches (4.4 cm) and it’s awesome for making perfect cuts on leather belts and straps ends.
Tandy leather’s English point is a true safe gamble and if you’re interested in getting a single English point punch that’s of great quality, then you can check out the Tandy Leather English Point size 1-1/2″ (38 mm) here or the Tandy Leather English Point size 1-3/4inches (44 mm) here on Amazon!
2. WellieSTR (Best Variety 8-Piece English Point Leather Punch Set)
The WellieSTR English point tool is made of steel, it’s super sharp, and comes with 8 different style sizes. These sizes includes a 15mm, 20mm, 25mm, 30mm, 35mm, 40mm, 45mm, and 50mm.
What’s special about this tool is that it offers a wide variety of end point sizes and styles. It’s a durable professional set of tools that’s great for belts, wallets flap & straps, and many others.
If you want a lot more variety in end shapes and sizes instead of a single shape English point tool, then you will fancy the WellieSTR English Point Leather Punch. You can check it out over here on Amazon!
3. OWDEN (Best Designed 3-Piece English Point Leather Punch Set)
The OWDEN English Point Leather Punch is professional 3 pieces leather belt strap end punch set. Yes, this is another set – comes with 3 sets of end punches ranging from small, medium and large. The reason why these sizes are appropriately varied this way is to target each size for a particular type of strap size.
The small is 28mm (suitable for straps less than 30mm in width), medium 32mm (suitable for leather straps with a width between 30 & 35mm), and the large being 38mm (suitable for leather straps with widths between 35 & 40mm).
The OWDEN English Point Leather Punch is slightly different in terms of shape when compared to the one from Tandy and WellieSTR. It typically results in a “V” type shapes on the ends of your straps.
If you’re interested in a set of end punches that’s nicely designed and comes with a nice package you can pass off as a gift item for a leather crafts lover, you can check out this beautiful 3 piece set from OWDEN over here on Amazon!
4. Yaetek (Best Budget Leather Strap End Punch)
The Yaetek leather end punch is very similar to the one being offered by OWDEN in terms of shape, but comes in a variety of 7 sizes (15mm, 20mm, 25mm, 30mm, 35mm, 40mm, 45mm) – four more than what OWDEN offers.
However, the Yaetek cannot match superior design and details of the OWDEN end punch. Yaetek has a simple design and is great for DIYing V-Shaped ends on leather straps, belt ends, wallets, and many more.
If you’re interested in a “V” shaped English end punch that comes with a wide variety of sizes in a set, then you can check out this one from Yaetek on Amazon!
5. Weaver (Best Long-Lasting Sharpness English Point Leather Punch)
The Weaver Leather English Point Punch is hand-forged from hardened steel for supreme sharpness that’s going to give you long-lasting cutting edge sharpness. The Weaver leather English point is a 1 inch tool and is suitable for straps and belts.
It’s amongst the very few hand-forged leatherworking tools made in the U.S. It’s a high-end professional tool for crafters who need the very best of the best tools.
If you’re interested in a high-end Leather English Point Punch that’s hand-forged in the U.S and would like to aside the purchase support local hardworking craftsmen, you can check this tool from Weaver leather over here on Amazon!
6. Leather UNLTD (Best U.S Made English Point Leather Punch)
This English Point Leather Punch is a U.S made tool, but not as pricy as the one from Weaver leather. It’s crafted for clean cuts on strap ends for bags and belts.
It’s made of durable steel and comes in two sizes – 1.2.5inches and 1.5inches. It’s very sturdy, sharp, and comes in an all black design.
If you’re interested in an American made English point leather punch that’s fairly low priced, you can check out this end punch, you can check out the Leather UNLTD’s 1.25 inches English point punch here or their 1.5 inches English point over here on Amazon!
7. Aiskaer (Best All-Round English Point Leather Punch)
The Aiskaer leather English point punch is made from very durable solid steel and it has very sharp cutting edge. It’s finished in an all black color and comes in a variety 4 sizes ranging from 30mm, 35mm, 40mm, and 45mm).
The Aiskaer leather English point punch is particularly a 1 piece end tool used for Belts, wallets, card package, and any other leather strapping solutions.
If you want a high-end professional leather English point punch tool that’s also absolutely suitable for beginners and doesn’t require a high price, you can check out this one by Aiskaer over here on Amazon!
8. C.S. Osborne (Best Quality Brand English Point Leather Punch)
The name C.S. Osborne has been synonymous with quality and has been so for close to 2 centuries. The brand adheres to strict quality standards and that’s why it’s been around for all this time.
Their leather English point punch is a hand-forged 1inch end punch with a polished barrel and will give you one of the best precise strap end cuts.
If you’re looking to play it safe with your choice of leather English point punch by simply going for one of the best quality brands out there, then you can check out the English point punch by C.S Osborne over here on Amazon!
Tips For Using English Point Leather Punches
- Don’t get it mixed up, Leather English point punches are same as or also marketed belt tip point.
- To get the best out of your leather English point punches, ensure your working surface is a sturdy work table, a solid 1-1/2 inch granite or marble slab placed on the work table with a professional cutting board mounted on top of the granite or marble slab.
- The leather English point punches are generally sharp so when striking it with a mallet, don’t go for an overkill strike. A fairly firm 1-2 strikes with a Leather Maul will do just fine.
- Never Use a hammer for your English point punches.
- Most leather English point punch will come with a rubber gasket, something similar to a retainer – This is a protective cover that will mainly be for protecting the cutting edge of the end punch. Always replace the rubber gasket when the tool is not in use.
- Generally, you can Oil your Leather English point punch from time to time.
- If you’re new to using end punches, one tip I’ll share with you that will help you get even ends on your straps is to cut your straps slightly bigger by adding about 1/2inch to the top and down and about 1/8inch to the sides so it appears you’re carving out the finished strap from the leather.
- There are a lot of things you can use your leather English point punch for apart from creating tapered edges on straps. You can use it to cut patterns for earrings, patterns for appliqué decorations, mark out patterns for carving, and many more. So explore!
Alternatives To The Leather English Point
For reasons like not having enough $$$$ to purchase end punches or the end punches you have being smaller than your straps etc, you will be faced with choosing the best possible alternatives for making end cuts for your straps. Here are a few alternatives you can consider.
Making pattern templates: Making templates for cutting strap ends is probably what you might to running away from or how you’re currently cutting ends on straps, but when you’re in a fix and don’t have the right size of English point punches, it’s definitely an alternative to fall on.
Using a Divider: If you have a wing divider or a regular divider, you will be able to construct arcs that are intersecting and then trim off to get a good end cut on your straps. You can check out this video so see how it’s done!
Using a Round Knife to trim a tapered edge: While this alternative will require the most skill, it’s definitely a way to go. You can check out this video to see how it’s Done!
