Entry No. 66 — the Oklahoma City file — filed under: hands-on
Traditions Leathercraft
Family-owned Traditions Leathercraft is a working leather supply shop that also teaches its own craft. Their two-hour hands-on tooling class (about $35) puts a swivel knife in your hand to learn floral carving, with the leather, pattern and instruction provided. They run other short sessions too, like basic stamping with beveler and basket-weave tools, plus longer project classes for the ambitious.
The story
This isn't a retail shop selling pre-cut leather goods at a high markup. Located along West Reno Avenue, Traditions Leathercraft is a family-owned warehouse supply house backed by over 25 years in the leather industry. It functions primarily as a working hub for regional makers sourcing hides, specialized dyes, and steel tools—and secondarily as an unpretentious workshop space where you can sit down and learn the craft.
Instead of handing you a pre-made item, their two-hour floral tooling class puts a swivel knife directly in your hands. They provide the veg-tan leather, the pattern, and the instruction needed to score lines, work a beveler, and stamp basket-weave textures into raw hide. You learn the precise angle and pressure required for leather carving from people who cut hides for a living, leaving with a piece you worked yourself.
What it's like
Stepping into 7500 W. Reno Avenue puts you directly into a supply warehouse environment filled with the heavy, earthy smell of raw veg-tan hides and row upon row of specialized stamping tools. During a class, you will sit at a work table with a mallet in hand, working to the steady rhythm of metal hitting leather alongside a small group of beginners. The vibe is quiet, pragmatic, and family-run—focused on blade technique and proper tool angles rather than studio polish.
The move: Take the two-hour floral tooling class together and each carve a piece of leather using a swivel knife under hands-on guidance.
📍 Before you go Classes run on a schedule and need reservations; call 405-265-2001. Closed Sun-Mon.
- 📍 Oklahoma City (West / W. Reno)
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 7500 W. Reno Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73127
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Cactus Jack's Family Fun Center — Pair a focused morning of tool work with a run through Oklahoma's oldest operating arcade just a mile and a half down W. Reno Avenue.
- The Sanctuary Escape — Located just 0.3 miles away, this makes a logical double-feature if you want to swap physical leather carving for set-designed puzzle rooms.
- Crystal Lake — Head a mile south after your workshop to take a quiet walk around a 60-acre city lake hidden in an industrial pocket off I-40.
Good to know
How much does the introductory floral tooling class cost?
The two-hour session runs about $35, which includes all leather, pattern materials, tools, and hands-on instruction.
Do I need to reserve a spot in advance?
Yes. Workshops run on a specific schedule with limited bench space, so you must call 405-265-2001 to reserve a spot ahead of time.
What are the operating days?
The shop is closed on Sundays and Mondays, so plan your visit between Tuesday and Saturday.
Do I need to bring my own leatherworking tools?
No. All tools—including swivel knives, bevelers, and basket-weave stamps—are provided for workshop participants.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · travelok.com · bbb.org · Facebook
last checked: 2026-06-23