6 Best Manual Leather Sewing Machines

Despite advancements in computerized technology, the world cannot do away with manual leather sewing machines.

There are a lot of advantages and intangibles that a manual sewing machine offers, among which are improved coordination, better control, and age-old techniques which resist computerization.

The leather industry is one of the businesses that continue to benefit from more human intervention, for most still employ a manual leather sewing machine to create specific products.

They have the advantages we already mentioned, but aside from it, a manual leather sewing machine is different from an ordinary sewing machine.

Why Manual Leather Sewing Machine?

A manual leather sewing machine is one specifically made for leather. Leather is a unique material, totally different from the usual or thicker fabric used in textile industry garments.

It requires more power, is heavier, and requires different thread types. The needle used is not the same too.

The industrial leather sewing machine has a faster stitch rate, at around 3000 stitches per minute, uses a walking foot presser foot type, and employs a longer stitch length.

It is considerably louder than your ordinary sewing machines and requires attention and maintenance much more often than your usual sewing machine.

A manual leather sewing machine is entirely different, for it deals with another material. But overall, the mechanism and operation of stitching are pretty much the same.

Best Manual Leather Sewing Machines: Our Top Picks

This handheld sewing machine can power its way through leather or any thick fabric, but even better, it can go through some thick material, like nylon, sheepskin, and urethane.

You need not bother yourself with anything electrical because this machine is self-sufficient.

Pulling the handle is what it takes, and you complete a lock stitch as you pull the handle. You need not worry about stitch lengths and thread sizes; you can easily adjust those aspects.

Verdict: Having a shorter throat area is a real drawback, but precisely because Tippinman Boss Leather is very accurate and provides detailed, good, quality stitching.

You need to fold the material just in case, and folding leather and other thicker fabrics are pretty challenging.

This machine is specifically for leather crafters and artists, and it has the option of either being operated by hand or by a motor.

Whatever the case may be, you can have the desired leather crafting you wanted out of this machine.

This crank-operated sewing machine can have a sewing speed of up to 500 stitches per minute, and even as a manual leather sewing machine, it could be quite as effective.

It has a stitch length of 5mm and weighs around 66 pounds.

Its best feature is the extensive throat area, just a shade below 12 inches. That makes it ideal for crafting all leather goods, like bags, wallets, saddles, shoes, and leather jackets.

Verdict: This one is for leather crafters, and there is no need for you to buy it if what you have in mind is repair only. It can do that, yes, but you can not optimize the YEQIN Leather Patcher if you will only use it for repair.

It is a heavy-duty machine suited for stitching leathers designed, crafted, and produced by leather artists. 

This handheld leather sewing machine also features a crank wheel that makes it easier to power needles through leather and other thick fabrics.

The design makes it easy to make stitches, whether nylon, leather, or different types of canvas.

It is a heavy-duty leather sewing machine with a cylinder arm that can stitch from 1/8” to ¾” inch of material; very thick indeed, but it does not matter.

Weighing around 55 lbs, it includes a pack of needles, a bobbin winder, 4 oz spools of white thread, two bobbins, and an Allen wrench for assembling.

Verdict: The Master Tool Cub is durable and long-lasting. But most importantly, you hand a handy leather sewing machine that can power its way through various thick materials, leather included.

And unlike others that are only very efficient for repair or leather crafting, Master Tool Cub can be effective at both. It may be expensive, considering the parts and what it offers, but it can provide a lot.

A manual leather sewing machine could be about a particular product or material. It does not need to deal with leather shoes only; it can deal with bags, belts, wallets, and the like.

This one from Olenyer is our best bet for shoe repair, and this might be the cheapest, least expensive alternative for sewing and making repairs for leather shoes.

It can power through leather and other thick fabrics.

That, however, should not blind you from the excellent features that make it ideal for that purpose.

Verdict: It does not offer much, but this manual leather sewing machine still has many applications. You get a lot for more than a hundred dollars.

Some consider it a bargain, others do not, mainly because it may take some time cleaning it and keeping it in condition.

But considering that you get a lot and have a quality leather sewing machine for so low a price, this one is not bad at all.

This industrial sewing machine can handle a variety of materials, from leather to plastic, as well as a variety of products, from shoes to toys.

The best thing about it is that it can sew 500 stitches per minute and has a throat of nearly 12 inches.

 It can handle various products more than other manual leather sewing machines.

Verdict: The main selling point of this leather sewing machine is its ability to sew in through thick material, leather included. This one is fine for this alone, though it may not be one of the best.

Considering the price (It sells above five hundred dollars in Walmart), you can think of it as a bargain or an indication of its overall quality.

Talking about sewing, however, it offers a lot, way more than other sewing machines having the same price.

This one also has a large throat but performs excellently and has better stitching quality and more consistency. It is far more durable than others but has the same simplicity and operability.

This one can easily sew leather, but its primary specialty is crafting and repairing leather goods.

But it is also adept at handling other materials such as plastic, rubber, and canvas and can efficiently deal with products, ranging from shoes and boots to luggage.

Verdict: This one is nearly the same as that of Industrial Hand Crank, but this one is more expensive ($649 at Walmart). It is also more durable and provides more quality and consistent stitching.

 You get much for a hundred dollars more.

Things to Consider When Buying A Manual Leather Sewing Machine

There are at least three things to consider why you will buy a particular machine, either leather or industrial sewing machine. These are:

The Need

Why will you buy a manual leather sewing machine? Is it for repair, crafting, or doing business?

Depending on your answer to this question, you may decide whether to buy an industrial leather sewing machine or one specifically suited for home use and repair.

The Sewing Area

Those doing repairs may settle for smaller, handheld leather sewing machines; they are economical when it comes to space. If you need those for crafting, you may need more space.

In that case, you must consider whether you have the space needed. If you don’t have one, you may need to shop for smaller devices but still can perform the same task of crafting leather.

The Price

The manual leather sewing machine price ranges from one hundred dollars to as high as $1,000. Be as it may, you need not buy an expensive one if the material or the particular purpose could be handled by a cheaper one.

It will help if you are diligent since there may not be a significant difference between many manual leather sewing machines, talking about quality. You may get a few advantages for the cost of a hundred dollars or more, but that’s about it.

Conclusion

A manual leather sewing machine differs from an ordinary and computerized sewing machine. Nevertheless, those machines abound in the market, and it is easy to get one of good quality, suited for the leather material and particular use.

The best thing about it is you do not need to spend that much having one. If you do your homework, you can get a quality one for a price that is way cheaper and less expensive.