Rivet Setter + Anvil

Rivets are a fast, strong, permanent way to join leather layers without stitching, and setting them properly needs two matched tools working together: a concave rivet setter, which fits over the rivet's domed cap and directs the force of a hammer blow into it evenly, and a concave anvil, which sits underneath and supports the rivet's other half the same way. Without both pieces, a hammer blow tends to flatten or distort the dome instead of seating it cleanly.

Rivets themselves come in a couple of common styles — solid "double-cap" rivets that crimp a post between two caps, and "tubular" or "Chicago-style" rivets that screw or press together — and the setting tools differ slightly depending on which type you're using, so it's worth checking that your setter and anvil match your rivet style before starting.

How to use it

1. Punch matching holes through the leather layers where the rivet will go.
2. Insert the rivet's post through from the underside, then fit the domed cap over the post from the top.
3. Rest the assembly, domed cap down, into the concave cup of the anvil, resting on a hard, stable surface.
4. Place the concave end of the setter over the flat back of the rivet post and strike the top of the setter firmly with a hammer.
5. Check that the cap sits snug and undistorted — a few controlled taps rather than one massive blow usually gives a cleaner result and lets you check progress as you go.

Care

Keep the setter and anvil's concave faces smooth and free of dents — a damaged or misshapen cup will distort every rivet cap it touches from then on. Wipe both tools down after use, and store them somewhere dry to prevent rust on the working faces.