Crafting Leather by Hand: My Day at Diamond Awl
A first-hand look at Diamond Awl’s one-day leathercraft course in Greater Manchester.
As part of my journey developing All The Wallets, I’ve always wanted to deepen my understanding of how wallets are made—especially when it comes to materials like leather and the qualities that define them. After all, to review wallets with genuine impartiality, it’s essential to understand the finer details: Is the leather truly high quality, or just marketing fluff? Is that sleek metal wallet crafted from cheap iron or premium aluminium? To get hands-on experience and answer some of these questions for myself, I decided to book a one-day leathercraft course. Since I’m based in the North West of England, my options were limited to local workshops—but one name stood out right away: Diamond Awl, a leatherworking studio based in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester.
About Diamond Awl Leather
Diamond Awl is the creation of Jason Stocks-Young, a seasoned leather craftsman with over a decade of experience. Jason has gained widespread recognition for his work, including appearances on BBC2’s Saved and Remade and BBC1’s Made in Great Britain. It was his impressive background, glowing reviews, and portfolio of work that ultimately convinced me to book a one-day course with him.
The workshop was exactly what I was looking for—hands-on, fast-paced, and incredibly rewarding. Over the course of the day, I was able to craft my own small leather good: a leather passport holder. The course covers all the core techniques of leatherworking, from cutting and hand-stitching to bevelling and burnishing.
What really made the experience, though, was Jason himself. He’s warm, funny, and endlessly patient, with a natural gift for breaking down complex techniques into simple, understandable steps. Without him, the course just wouldn’t have been the same.
A stunning shot i took of Jason’s workshop
Location
One of the things that really appealed to me about Jason’s courses was the location—not just where the workshop is based, but the atmosphere and aesthetic of the space itself. The workshop perfectly captures a mid-century rustic vibe (the Eames lounge chair in the corner sealed the deal for me).
Housed in Woodend Mill, a historic cotton mill built in 1848, the building is the last of the original three-county mills. After production ceased in 1951, the site was transformed into a space for light industry and a vibrant creative community, now home to over 30 artists—Jason among them.
Set beside the canal and River Tame, the surroundings are just as charming as the workshop itself. Driving through the area on the day of the course was genuinely a pleasure.
My workspace for the day. I’d just fininshed cutting the leather.
My Experience on the Day
It’s hard to fault the experience I had on the day. The course began promptly at 9:30 am, and the workshop was easy enough to find. Jason greeted me outside, and to my surprise, I was the only one booked on the course that day—meaning I had the whole place to myself.
We kicked off with an introduction and a short but informative lesson on leather and the fundamentals of leathercraft, including how leather is made and the differences between various tanning processes.
From there, we jumped straight into the deep end. Jason walked me through the construction process—from using the template to cutting the leather and assembling the final piece. His wife (whose name, I’m sorry to say, escapes me) was also incredibly friendly, popping in and out throughout the day and joining us for a lovely provided lunch.
Leathercraft isn’t easy. I had to stay fully focused throughout, and at times it felt like information overload—not because of Jason’s teaching, which was clear and patient, but simply because a one-day course has to cover a lot in a short amount of time. Everything needs to be both taught and completed by the end of the day, which makes for an intense but rewarding experience.
Saddle stitching was a real experience—and, if I’m honest, something that left my brain almost as quickly as I’d learned it. The most challenging part for me, though, was bevelling. It’s a technique used to create smooth, angled edges, and it requires a delicate, in-between level of pressure that I just couldn’t quite get right. That specific tool still haunts me to this day. Thankfully, Jason was always nearby to guide me through it or step in when the frustration got the better of me.
The course wrapped up right on time at around 5:30 pm, so you really do get a full day’s worth of hands-on learning. By the end of it, you walk away with a fully finished leather item you’ve made yourself. There was something incredibly satisfying about going through the entire process—from raw materials to finished product—and watching it all come together.
The leather passport holder (or travel wallet) I made that day remains one of my favourite wallets to this day, purely because I made it with my own two hands. It’s a practical keepsake and a lovely reminder of the day every time I travel.
A Day to Remember
The one-day course I took cost £140, which I think offers fantastic value. Not only do you get a full day of hands-on experience, but you also walk away with a finished leather item—something that, if bought from a store, would likely cost more than the course itself.
Admittedly, this review is a bit of a retrospective—I actually took the course back in July 2022, so it’s taken me a while to put my thoughts together. That said, the day left a lasting impression. From start to finish, it was a brilliant experience.
If you’re looking for a rewarding and creative day with a knowledgeable teacher, inspiring location, and well-equipped workshop, I can’t recommend Jason’s courses highly enough. Whether it’s a one-day taster or a more intensive seven-day course, it’s well worth it. I had an absolute blast.