Leather Working Project: Thieves Tools Kit

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This is a project I have been wanting to do for a few years now. With the recent purchase of some random leather scraps from Facebook Marketplace, I found the perfect piece of leather to use for this project.

Legal Disclaimer : Is lock picking illegal?

Lock picking and lock picking tools are illegal in some countries, such as Japan. However, in many other countries, lock picking tools are legal and available for purchase by everyday citizens as long as they have no intent to use them for criminal purposes.

Lock picking tools and lock picking are available and legal in the United States. In the majority of U.S. states, lock picking is legal by statute. In these states, the person lock picking must show intent.

In other states, there are no specific laws regarding lock picking; therefore, lock picking is legal by lack of statute.

https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/lock-pick-laws-by-state

A few years ago, I bought a lock pick set that came with a practice lock. I’ve been having fun since learning the basics of lockpicking and practicing on some padlocks I had sitting around the house. The pick set I got came with 12 different picks, 3 different tension tools, and a very basic vinyl storage pouch/case. However, I decided that I wanted something that I could keep the picks a little more organized and easier to see individually, rather than the jumbled mess I currently had to sort through.

This led me to think of something like a tool roll with individual slots for each pick. I didn’t want it to be too big, so I decided that it should carry no more than 5-6 picks and the tension tools. With all my design requirements figured out in my head, it was time to sit down with paper and translate the idea in my mind to paper.

Within a few moments, the basic design was drawn out on graph paper. Now it was time to trace it on the leather and cut out. With a simple design, this was the easiest part.

With the leather cut to the size and shape I wanted, I decided to cut a strip to use to wrap around once it’s rolled up to keep it closed. Initially I was going to leave it long then wrap it around and tuck the loose end to secure it with friction alone. I later changed my mind and added a snap for the closure mechanism.

Next it was on to the final layout and punching of the stitching holes. It was at this time I decided to grommet the corners of the main pouch before the sides and individual slots for each tool to make it’s home in we’re sewn.

With grommets in place, it was time to break out my hole punch tool. I choose to use my 6 hole punch in order to expedite the time spent on this step. I decided to punch all the holes before sewing each line.

I chose a darker brown thread to give it a little pop of color. Unfortunately it blended in a little more than I was hoping, however in my opinion, I think it still looks good regardless. I used my go to stitch, the saddle stitch, to sew everything together.

With everything complete, it was time to test it out and put the picks and tension tools in and roll it up. Not being happy with leaving the strap go as is, wrapping it around the roll I picked the length I thought was good. With the new length now set, I set in place one half of the snap closure. Having that point of reference, I set the other half of the closure in place.

In retrospect

Overall this was a fun simple project. It was fairly straightforward and didn’t require a lot of planning. However, there were still lessons learned despite the simplicity. In making future rolls like this, I would make the following changes:

  • Add a little more length to the cover flap
  • Add about 1/32 inch to the width of the slots
  • Add the grommets after the stitching is done
  • Punch and sew one stitch line at a time
  • Figure out a system to get stitch lines straighter
  • Put the tension tool pouch opposite of the closure strap
  • Figure out a way to finish the edges for a more finished look

I look forward to making more for friends and family implementing the changes I outlined above. Maybe I’ll make another one that can hold all 12 picks to complement my simple roll.

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