Oblong Leather Slot \ Crew Punch – 10 mm to 25 mm

Oblong punches are particularly useful when making holes that need to accommodate the tongue of a belt buckle or other hardware.

They can be used for:

• Leather belts
• Watch straps
• Bag straps
• Buckle straps
• Harness and tack work
• Leather tabs
• Bridlework
• Bags and cases
• General leather repairs
• Decorative oblong holes in leather goods

The range of sizes makes it easy to match the slot to the buckle, hardware or design you’re working with.

Trying to create a neat oblong slot using a round punch and a knife can be time-consuming and difficult to achieve consistently. A dedicated oblong leather punch produces the shape in a single operation, helping you achieve clean, professional-looking results.

These economy punches are an excellent choice for leatherworkers who need a specific size without purchasing a complete set.

They are especially useful for anyone making or repairing belts where accurately positioned buckle slots are essential.

For the best results, take a little care when setting up your work.

1. Mark the Slot Position

Measure and mark the exact position of the slot on your leather. For belt work, make sure the slot is correctly aligned with the buckle and centred across the belt.

2. Choose the Correct Punch

Select the oblong punch that matches the required slot dimensions. Check both the length and width before punching.

3. Place the Leather on a Solid Base

Always punch onto a solid, suitable punching base, such as a leathercraft punching board.

A firm, stable surface helps support the leather during punching and allows the force of the hammer to transfer effectively through the punch.

Avoid punching directly onto delicate work surfaces, finished benches or hard metal surfaces, as these can damage both the punch and your workbench.

4. Position the Punch

Place the cutting edge of the punch directly over your marked line. Hold the punch vertically and ensure it is correctly aligned before striking.

5. Use a Heavy Leather Hammer

For clean results, use a heavy leather hammer to strike the top of the punch firmly and squarely.

A heavier leathercraft hammer provides the controlled impact needed to drive the punch through the leather. Keep the punch vertical and use a decisive strike rather than repeatedly tapping lightly.

For thicker leather, more than one controlled strike may be required.

6. Remove the Waste

Once the punch has passed through the leather, lift it away and remove the cut-out piece. Check the slot and, if necessary, clean away any remaining fibres.

Tips for Clean Belt Slots

• Mark carefully before punching – accurate positioning is just as important as the punch itself.
• Use the correct size for your buckle tongue or hardware.
• Keep the punch vertical while striking.
• Use a solid punching board underneath the leather.
• Use a heavy leather hammer to provide sufficient impact.
• Keep the cutting edge sharp for the cleanest results.
• Test your punch on a piece of scrap leather first, particularly when working on an expensive hide.