Shoe/Luggage Repair Personnel

Individuals who use their knowledge of leatherworking to give worn leather goods extended wearability. The most common type of shoe repair is replacing soles and heels. Repairers place the shoe on a last and remove the old sole and heel with a knife or pliers or both. They attach new soles and heels to shoes either by stitching them in place or by using cement or nails. Other leather goods such as suitcases or handbags may need seams to be re-sewn or handles and linings to be replaced. Leather workers and repairers use both hand tools and machines. The most commonly used hand tools are knives, hammers, awls (used to poke holes in leather to make sewing possible) and skivers (for splitting leather). Power-operated equipment includes sewing machines, heel nailing machines, hole punching machines and sole stitchers.