If I was going to make a comprehensive list of leatherwork tools every beginner should have, the wing divider would be high up on that list because of the various functions you’d be able to do with it. But the key point is finding quality wing dividers because every step in the process of making leather items is dependant on accurate measurements. So what are the best wing dividers for leather?
The best wing dividers for leather in no particular order are:
- Tandy Leather Wing Divider (Best Small Size)
- KangTeer Rotating Wing Divider – (Best Standard Size)
- C.S Osborne Wing Divider – (Best Large Size)
- Offidea Wing Divider – (Best Extra Large Wing Divider with Pencil Holder)
The wing divider is a very simple tool that will serve so many purposes in all the projects you’ll be working on. To ensure you buy the most ideal one for you, I did detailed research to help you make a very happy choice. But before we move on to the details on the wing dividers mentioned above, let’s first look at what a wing divider is.
What’s a Wing Divider in Leatherwork?
A wing divider in leatherwork is a tool used for making grooves or crease lines, radius on corners, marking out equal stitch spaces and marking out the start and end of stitches. It’s can also be used for geometrical operations such as scribing circles, taking off and transferring dimensions from one surface to another accurately and faster.
It’s basically a multipurpose tool and can also be used to find the center of measurements very easily. In addition, there many times you’d work on projects in leatherwork where you’d have to make leatherworks with exposed edges such as the part of compartments of wallets, billfolds, straps, etc.
You can use the wing divider to add some simple single or double crease lines to the edge of the leather to add or make it look very professional and well thought through design.
In their simplest form, a wing divider consists of a joint pair or legs with each having a sharp point. It also comes with an adjustable feature to help increase or decrease its span or spread. They are also marketed as spring dividers. Here they are in no particular order!
4. Tandy Leather Wing Divider – (Best Small)
- Material: Steel
- Total Length: 6inches
- Max diameter: 11.1cm
- Product Dimensions: 8 x 3.4 x 0.5 inches
The Tandy Leather Wing Divider is your wing divider for plotting and measuring curves. It’s also ideal for making edge creases, scribing arcs, dividing lines, gauging, etc. It is a very simple easy to use wing divider and performs all the functions you’d want in a wing divider.
It’s made adjustable so comes with a set screw that locks it in on a required position. It’s a 6″ / 152 mm long and up to 4 – 3/8inches (111 mm) span.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Wide-span
- Good quality
- It’s sturdy and holds its setting throughout its use
- It has sharp points Performs its function well
Cons:
- It can close while in use
- A bit pricey if you’re on a budget
If you’re interested in the Tandy leather wing divider, you can check it out over here on Amazon!. You’ll notice that the price on amazon for this product is far less expensive than on the Tandy leather website.
3. KangTeer Rotating Wing Divider – (Best Large Size)
- Material: Stainless steel
- Max diameter: 30 cm
- Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
The KangTeer Rotating Wing Divider is a 7.5 inch Leather DIY adjustable tool that you can use as your craft edge creaser, and other multi-functions. You will like this wing divider because it’s the standard medium size that can cater to both large and small diameter coverage.
For its size, it’s still very portable, practical and very durable. You can use it to for drawing straight lines and decorating the edge of your leather.
Pros:
- Quality sturdy construction
- All metal
- Easy to Use
Cons:
- Legs are a bit thin so don’t put too much pressure on either leg
If you’re interested in the KangTeer Rotating Wing Divider, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
2. C.S Osborne 10” Wing Divider – (Best Standard Size)
- Material: Carbon Steel
- Max diameter: 27.9 cm
- Product Dimensions: 1 x 1 x 1 inches
The C.S Osborne Wing Divider comes in 6, 8, 10, 12 inches. On the 10 inches opening divider, you can have a diameter spread from 1.5 inches to 11 Inches. It’s polished steel, forged with tempered springs, and high engineering. It the perfect wing divider for crafters who need quality tools and exact measurements.
The nuts on the wings are crafted with steel. Points around the wing divider and threads of the screws that hold the legs in position on the wings are carefully hardened. The springs are carefully tempered and are made for easy adjustment while retaining a firm hold for the legs. The C.S Osborne wing dividers are made according to U.S. Government Specifications.
The C.S Osborne wing divider is great for making decorative designs, sewing grooves, gauging circles on your leatherwork projects.
Pros:
- Extra durable with its machined carbon steel
- Easy to adjust
- High quality
- Extra-wide opening
Cons:
- It’s quite expensive for crafters on budget
If you’re interested in the C.S Osborne Wing Divider, you can check it out over here on Amazon! You can also keep an eye on the C.S Osborne website for great deals by clicking here.
1. Offidea Wing Divider – (Best Extra Large Wing Divider with Pencil Holder)
- Material: Carbon Steel
- Max Diameter: 56cm
- Product Dimensions: 10 x 4 x 0.1 inches
The Offidea Wing Divider is a professional leatherworking, woodworking, metalworking wing divider, and compass. This is a notch further in the manufacture’s bid on added functionality. It features a typical wing divider with pencil holder on one leg. This 8-inch wing divider is an ideal large Compass for drawing, drafting, and geometry.
It’s also widely used in mechanical marking, leather making, excellent for scoring the edges of the leather and comparing lengths or markings. This versatile wind divider has a diameter spread between 1.5 and 56 cm. It has a strong structural design that keeps it sturdy and avoids twisting during its use.
Pros:
- Its made with heavy-duty carbon steel so it’s durable
- Comes with a pencil holder
- Has a quick, easy, and lockable adjustment
- Double as a compass and wing divider
- Very easy and comfortable to use
- Can be used for very large projects
Cons:
- A bit Stiff
If you’re interested in the Offidea Wing Divider you can check it out over here on Amazon!
My Conclusion and How to Pick!
The wing divider is arguably a very simple tool that if you buy the right one(s) you will use it for a really long time without having to upgrade. You wouldn’t also have to buy a whole bunch of them. You can just buy one that gets you what you need to do be it small or big projects.
In my personal opinion, if you’re a beginner and want to feel very comfortable working with wing dividers, you can go for the small size Tandy Leather Wing Divider or the standard size C.S Osborne Wing Divider and you’ll be able to get every project you set out to do well into when you become a professional leatherworker.
On the other hand, if you’re a professional leatherworker who handles a lot of large projects with different levels of product specifications, you can opt for the Offidea Wing Divider or the KangTeer Rotating Wing Divider. Cheers and Stay Happy Making Awesome Leather crafts. 😀
