Leather was one of the first materials mankind learned to work with, and it is still in use today in a number of ways. It is used in the creation of various types of clothing, accessories, footwear, and luggage. Today, most leathercraft objects are created in manufacturing processes, but craft or hobby items are still common. Leather-working and repair, for valuable items, are still part of a booming business, and the ability to create or repair products with leather kits is a valuable skill.

Leather dates back beyond the start of recorded history and leather-based artifacts have been recovered from as far back as 1300 BC. Nearly all cultures with access to suitable animals – generally a bovine of some sort – developed some ability to work the hides. However, the greatest talents generally developed in places where other raw materials were scarce, such as pre-Colombian North America. Leather-workers were prized members of society in the Dark Ages of Europe, respected artisans in ancient China, and honored members of Native American tribal societies.

Leather is the result of a tanning process applied to the skin and hide of an animal.leather kits boy scouts of america leather hides leather supplies