How to Use an Oblong Punch
Place the leather on a suitable punching surface such as a cutting board or punching mat, on a solid work table base - we recommend using a sturdy bench or table, with no wobble, and positioning your mat over the table leg for extra rigidity.
Position the punch on the leather where the slot is required and strike firmly with a heavy leatherworking mallet or maul. We advise against using a standard metal hammer or mallet as it will not have the weight distribution and will damage the punch tool.
If used correctly, according to the instructions above, the sharp cutting edge will produce a clean slot through leather up to 2.5 mm thick in a single operation. For thicker leather you may need several hits; we recommend using the punch tool with a hand or arbor press rather than a mallet for leather over 2.5 mm thick.
For best results, always ensure the punch is kept sharp and used on an appropriate cutting surface.