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Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Leatherwork
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Leatherwork is an ancient craft of cutting, carving, and lacing durable hides into functional gear. You will learn the tanning process, safe knife techniques, and leather care. Requirements 3 and 4 require tooling or stamping a project, dyeing it, lacing edges, and braiding an article like a four-strand woggle or lanyard.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Leather Tanning & Material Types
- Tooling, Stamping & Carving Techniques
- Edge Finishing, Lacing & Stitching
- Crafting Finished Functional Leather Projects
5Printable Pages
5Requirements
2017Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Leatherwork Requirements
Every requirement for the Leatherwork merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1Hazards and First Aid
Do the following:
- 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.
- 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.
2Leather, Hides, and Their Uses
Explain the following:
- a Where leather comes from
- b Kinds of hides that are used to make leather
- c Five types of leather
- d Best uses for each type of leather
3Make an Article of Leather
Make one or more articles of leather that use at least five of the following steps:
- a Pattern layout and transfer
- b Cutting leather
- c Punching holes
- d Carving or stamping surface designs
- e Applying dye or stain and finish to the project
- f Assembly by lacing or stitching
- g Setting snaps and rivets
- h Dressing edges
4Braid or Plait an Article
Braid or plait an article out of leather, vinyl lace, or paracord.
5Option Selection
Do ONE of the following:
- a Learn about the commercial tanning process. Report about it to your counselor.
- b Tan the skin of a small animal. Describe the safety precautions you will take and the tanning method that you used.
- c 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.
- d 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.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Leatherwork requirements in 2017. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/leatherwork/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
Spotted a discrepancy on this sheet? Tell us and we will re-check it against the official requirements.
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