Essential Shoe Repair Tools for your Shop

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Every great shoe repair shop starts with the right tools. Customers expect you to fix their favorite shoes with skill and care. However, even the most talented cobblers are unable to deliver magic without solid tools. Thus, you need the right shoe repair tools to help you work faster, enhance quality, and build customer loyalty. 

And when you combine these tools with smart solutions like shoe & leather repair shop software, your shop becomes faster, and more organized. Now let’s explore the must-have tools every cobbler needs today.

1. Awl

An awl is one of the most used shoe making tools in a cobbler’s shop. You use it to punch holes, mark patterns, and guide stitches. With an awl, you can have full control and do the delicate repairs easily. Also, you can use different types of awl for various stitches and curved seams. Ensure you buy a strong, comfortable and a well-conditioned tool as it will help improve accuracy and speed. 

2. Gouge/Plow Tool

To cut grooves in thick leather, you need a gouge or plow tool. It’s one of the highly used shoe making tools. The grooves protect the stitches and keep them from wearing out. Using this, you can make the repairs look neat and professional, satisfying your customers even more. Most of the skilled cobblers rely on it for daily leather work.

3. Shoe Repair Hammer

A shoemaker hammer, also known as a cobbler’s hammer, is designed for careful repair work. It has a flat face that smooths leather and shapes soles. You can set nails and taps without damaging the shoe. It’s among the most common shoe repair tools and equipment, so pick a durable one for your shop. 

4. Shoe Glue

At number four, we have shoe glue as it is the heart of many repairs. You need it for soles, heels, and torn leather. Using this, you can bond fast and hold parts firmly. On the other hand, if you use weak glue, it may ruin repairs and can hurt your shop’s reputation. So, keeping fresh glue in stock is a must for your shoe repair kit as old glue can lose strength. 

Bonus Tip: To manage all the repair jobs effortlessly, you need to use a repair ticket management system. This way, you can easily create repair tickets for every job. In the ticket, you can mention contact details of customers, and name of technicians. And when the repair is complete, the software automatically notifies the customer.   

5. Isopropyl Alcohol

Another essential tool is isopropyl alcohol as it helps remove dirt particles, and old glue on shoes. By applying it, you can clean the surfaces. Also, when you apply glue after using isopropyl alcohol, it will help your glue bond better and last even more. Most cobblers use it before the repairs as it prepares the shoe for stronger finishing and cleaner results.

6. Nail Puller and Pincers

At number six, we have nail pullers and pincers. These tools remove old nails and staples cleanly. They help you do the job without damaging the shoe. The long handle offers you greater force so you can pull out deeply embedded nails  without much effort. 

7. Leather Filler Paste

To repair cracks, dents, and scratches, you can use leather filler paste. It easily fills damaged areas and creates an even surface on the shoe. It’s not primarily used for shoes, but most shoemakers have it. Once it dries, you can sand it lightly and add color. This helps old shoes look almost new again. When customers revisit your shop and see their shoes in new condition, they will be delighted. 

To ensure you always have the vital repair products in inventory, use a POS system with low stock alerts. It will notify whenever a repair accessory or part is running low in the inventory. Hence, you won’t miss any sales opportunities due to shortage of stock. 

8. Color Spray

A color spray is not a must-have shoe repair tool but can be a good add on. It helps repair shop owners restore faded or discolored shoes. You can use it on shoes made of leather, suede, and synthetic materials. When you apply it, you can give a fresh finish to your customers’ favorite footwear.  

9. Insoles

A few customers out there love their shoes and don’t want to buy new ones. Instead, they look for insoles and minor repairs, so they can again wear the shoes. For that, they look for premium quality insoles. Shoe insoles enhance comfort, and support in a simple but powerful way. You can sell memory foam or medicated soles for a high price. This way, you will get appreciation from the customers and your repair shop will earn extra revenue. 

10. Paring Knife and Edger

Lastly, you need a paring knife or edger for trimming leather on shoes. These are extremely helpful for shaving rough edges, refined soles, and cut shapes. These sharp shoe repair tools help you work clean and quicker. Always keep your knives well sharpened, so you can always cut the excessive leather easily. 

Why Upgrading Your Shoemaking Tools Matters

In the US, there are around 3,339 shoe repair businesses as of 2025. Every shop competes for customers and looks forward to enhancing their revenue. However, the ones having strong tools and smart systems always stay ahead. Thus, you need to use the right tools that can help you quickly and efficiently repair all types of shoes. 

Final Words

Undoubtedly, the right shoe repair tools and equipment can transform your shop within no time. They help you work faster, deliver cleaner results, and satisfy more customers. When your repairs look neat and last longer, there will be a higher repeat customer rate. In addition, don’t forget to equip your shop with the right management software like RepairDesk. It will help you manage operations, customers, and employees, so you don’t have to worry about the admin work and can focus more on offering high-quality repairs. 

Always remember, strong tools mean strong results, and strong results build a shop that customers love.

FAQs

1. What Tools Should You Have to Set up Your Shoe Repair Shop?

To set up a nice shoe repair shop, you need to have essential tools including paring knives, awls, gauges, nail pullers, leather filler pastes, jack stands, outsole stitchers, and hammers.

2. What are the Best Leather Shoe Care Kits or Supplies I can Buy?

If you want to buy best leather shoe care kits, or supplies, you can go for horsehair buffing brushes, wax polishes, creams, and conditioners, depending upon the type of leather.