I would really like to make a simple leather bag. I have some experience, I just cannot think of the best way to stitch the bag together, what pieces to make, etc. Does anyone have any tips on simple bag making? Any tool recommendations for an awl, pricking iron, cutting tool, and needles?

I'm currently using a relatively inexpensive Vergez Blanchard diamond awl from rm leather supply. It's better than the cheap thing I picked up before and has done me pretty well for the price however given it's something I use extensively in every project I've ordered a custom awl with changeable blades now from a maker in Hong Kong.

Pricing irons I use the Wuta in 3.0mm and 3.85mm generally paired with 0.45/0.55 and 0.6/.8 threads (using Amy roke and tiger threads) depending on the item. I like the slimmer profile of the wuta irons and they're generally held in high regard. Fair warning though, I've never used another type so can't compare them objectively.

Needles - John James hardness needles all day. Super strong, rarely hear of people breaking them so a single pack should last you years.

As for cutting tools it depends a little on personal style. Some people hate rotary cutters but for me my olfa cutter has been fantastic when cutting long straight lines and wide curves. I pair that with a higher end retractable blade and snap-off as soon as it feels slightly dulled.

Good luck!

johnsmith5:
Any tool recommendations for an awl, pricking iron, cutting tool, and needles?

I'm also a big fan of sewing and recently I found useful article about leather sewing awl here https://leather-toolkits.com/blog/how-to-use-leather-sewing-awl/. Hope it will be useful for you too. For awl I'm currently using a relatively inexpensive Vergez Blanchard diamond awl from leather supply. I started sewing leather not so log ago but I want to become a pro one day.