# Leatherwork Merit Badge Requirements

- Eagle-required: No
- Category: Arts and Crafts
- Official requirements: https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/leatherwork/
- Pamphlet: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/Merit_Badge_ReqandRes/Pamphlets/Leatherwork.pdf
- Last synced from scouting.org: 2026-03-29
- Overview: https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/leatherwork/index.md
- Digital Resource Guide: https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/leatherwork/guide/index.md

Learn leatherworking fundamentals including tools, materials, and safety. Complete hands-on projects using cutting, stamping, and finishing to earn this merit badge.

## Requirements

- **1** *Shop Safety and First Aid* (Do all) Do the following:
  - **1.a** Explain to your counselor the hazards you are most likely to encounter while using leatherwork tools and materials, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, or lessen these hazards.
  - **1.b** Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while working with leather, including minor cuts and scratches, puncture wounds, ingested poisoning, and reactions from exposure to chemicals such as dyes, cements, and finishes used in leatherworking.
- **2** *Hides, Leather Types, and Best Uses* (Do all) Explain the following:
  - **2.a** Where leather comes from
  - **2.b** Kinds of hides that are used to make leather
  - **2.c** Five types of leather
  - **2.d** Best uses for each type of leather
- **3** *Choosing Your Five Skills* (Choose 5) Make one or more articles of leather that use at least five of the following steps:
  - **3.a** *Patterns and Transfer* Pattern layout and transfer
  - **3.b** *Clean Cutting* Cutting leather
  - **3.c** *Punching Accurate Holes* Punching holes
  - **3.d** *Carving and Stamping Designs* Carving or stamping surface designs
  - **3.e** *Dye, Stain, and Finish* Applying dye or stain and finish to the project
  - **3.f** *Lacing and Stitching* Assembly by lacing or stitching
  - **3.g** *Snaps and Rivets* Setting snaps and rivets
  - **3.h** *Smooth Finished Edges* Dressing edges
- **4** *Braiding and Plaiting* Braid or plait an article out of leather, vinyl lace, or paracord.
- **5** *Pick Your Leather Path* (Choose 1) Do ONE of the following:
  - **5.a** *Commercial Tanning* Learn about the commercial tanning process. Report about it to your counselor.
  - **5.b** *Tanning a Small Hide* Tan the skin of a small animal. Describe the safety precautions you will take and the tanning method that you used.
  - **5.c** *Care, Repair, and Comparison* Recondition or show that you can take proper care of your shoes, a baseball glove, a saddle, furniture, or other articles of leather. Discuss with your counselor the advantages or disadvantages of leather vs. synthetic materials.
  - **5.d** *Visiting a Leather Business* Visit a leather-related business. This could be a leathercraft supply company, a tannery, a leather goods or shoe factory, or a saddle shop. Report on your visit to your counselor.