Embarking on your Classic World of Warcraft journey and eager to master a profession? Leatherworking is an excellent choice, especially when paired with Skinning. This comprehensive Classic Leatherworking Guide will steer you through the quickest and most economical path to level your Leatherworking skill from 1 to 300. While acquiring materials can be done by purchasing them from the Auction House, combining Leatherworking with Skinning will significantly reduce your gold expenditure and make the leveling process much smoother as you gather hides and leathers directly from skinned beasts.
If you’re still on your journey to level 60, consider using a leveling guide to expedite the process. Reaching level 60 faster means you can dedicate more time to professions like Leatherworking.
Classic Leatherworking Guide Sections:
- Approximate Materials Required
- Classic Leatherworking Trainer Location
- Apprentice Leatherworking (1-75)
- Journeyman Leatherworking (75-150)
- Expert Leatherworking (150-225)
- Artisan Leatherworking (225-300)
- Leatherworking Specializations
Approximate Materials Required:
NOTE: You can purchase threads, dyes, and salt from Leatherworking Supply vendors located near any Leatherworking trainer.
Playing Cataclysm Classic?
If you are playing Cataclysm Classic, please refer to our Cataclysm Leatherworking Leveling Guide for accurate trainer and recipe information tailored to Cataclysm Classic.
Classic Leatherworking Trainer Location
To begin your Leatherworking journey and become an Apprentice, you must first reach level 5 and locate a Leatherworking trainer in any major city.
Click on the links below to view the precise location of trainers for each faction. Alternatively, simply ask a guard in any city for directions to the Leatherworking trainer; their location will be conveniently marked on your map with a red flag.
Horde trainers:
- Brumman Strongarm – Orgrimmar
- Thuul – Thunder Bluff
- Miao’zan – Undercity
Alliance trainers:
- Gimble Thistlefuzz – Ironforge
- Elrondir – Darnassus
- Jack Trapper – Stormwind City
Apprentice Leatherworking
(Requires Leatherworking skill 1; Character Level 5)
1 – 55
-
1 – 55: 40x Light Armor Kit
- Materials: 40 x Light Leather
Crafting Light Armor Kits is the most efficient way to quickly level through the initial ranks of Apprentice Leatherworking. Light Leather is plentiful and easily obtained by skinning low-level beasts.
Journeyman Leatherworking
(Requires Leatherworking skill 50; Character Level 10)
To progress beyond skill level 75, you must train Journeyman Leatherworking. Note that not all Leatherworking trainers offer this advanced skill; you need to seek out a Journeyman Leatherworking trainer. Journeyman training is available from level 10 onwards.
You can learn Journeyman Leatherworking from the following NPCs:
Horde trainers:
- Brumman Strongarm – Orgrimmar
- Thuul – Thunder Bluff
Alliance trainers:
- Gimble Thistlefuzz – Ironforge
- Jack Trapper – Stormwind City
55 – 137
-
55 – 137: 40x Fine Leather Belt
- Materials: 240 x Light Leather, 80 x Coarse Thread
As you transition into Journeyman Leatherworking, Fine Leather Belts offer a steady skill increase. Continue crafting these belts until you approach skill level 137.
-
Optional Crafting: Cured Medium Hide
- Materials: Medium Hide, Salt
If you have accumulated Medium Hide through Skinning or found it at a reasonable price in the Auction House, crafting Cured Medium Hide can be beneficial for skill-ups and future recipes.
Tip: Retain both Fine Leather Belts and Cured Medium Hide. These can be combined to create Dark Leather Belts, which can be useful for personal use or trading.
Expert Leatherworking
(Requires Leatherworking skill 125; Character Level 20)
To advance to Expert Leatherworker status, you must reach Leatherworking skill level 125 and be at least level 20. Expert Leatherworking trainers can then teach you the next tier of skills.
Expert Leatherworking trainers are:
137 – 205
-
137 – 155: 7x Heavy Leather
- Materials: 35 x Medium Leather
Transitioning to Expert Leatherworking involves working with heavier materials. Crafting Heavy Leather from Medium Leather provides a good starting point for this tier.
-
Alternative Recipe (140-150): Barbaric Harness
- Materials: 4 x Medium Leather, 2 x Heavy Thread
The pattern for Barbaric Harness is sold by various vendors. Check vendor lists on Wowhead for specific locations. This recipe can be a viable alternative if materials are readily available or cheaper.
-
155 – 180: 15x Heavy Armor Kit
- Materials: 75 x Heavy Leather, 15 x Fine Thread
Heavy Armor Kits become your primary crafting item for this level range. They utilize Heavy Leather and are efficient for skill gains.
-
180 – 205: 10x Guardian Gloves
- Materials: 40 x Heavy Leather, 10 x Cured Heavy Hide, 10 x Silken Thread
Guardian Gloves utilize Cured Heavy Hide, which you can create from Heavy Hide. This recipe pushes you towards the Artisan level and introduces more complex material combinations.
Artisan Leatherworking
(Requires Leatherworking skill 200; Character Level 35)
The final step in becoming a master Leatherworker is reaching Artisan status. You need Leatherworking skill 200 and character level 35 to train Artisan Leatherworking.
Artisan Leatherworking trainers are:
- Drakk Stonehand – Aerie Peak, The Hinterlands (Alliance)
- Hahrana Ironhide – Camp Mojache, Feralas (Horde)
205 – 260
-
205 – 225: Cured Heavy Hide
- Materials: Heavy Hide, Salt
Continue to make Cured Heavy Hide if you have a surplus of Heavy Hide. This can help bridge the gap to higher-level recipes within Artisan Leatherworking.
-
225 – 250: Heavy Grinding Stone (Grey at 225, but cheap to make)
- Materials: 2 x Heavy Stone
Although Heavy Grinding Stones will become grey quickly and offer reduced skill points, they are incredibly cheap to produce, especially if you’ve been mining. This can be a cost-effective way to push past the initial Artisan levels.
-
250 – 260: 13x Nightscape Boots
- Materials: 208 x Thick Leather, 26 x Heavy Silken Thread
Nightscape Boots become a key recipe for this range, utilizing Thick Leather. This recipe will help you reliably gain skill points as you approach the higher Artisan levels.
Leatherworking Specializations
(Available at Leatherworking skill 225; Character Level 40)
Upon reaching Leatherworking skill level 225 and character level 40, you can specialize in one of three distinct Leatherworking paths: Dragonscale, Elemental, or Tribal. Each specialization unlocks access to unique patterns and crafting possibilities.
- Dragonscale Leatherworking: Focuses on Mail armor recipes, ideal for classes that wear mail armor.
- Elemental Leatherworking: Centers around elemental resistance gear and Leather armor with agility enhancements.
- Tribal Leatherworking: Specializes in Leather armor providing intellect and agility, and includes the coveted Devilsaur Armor set.
For in-depth guidance on becoming a Dragonscale, Elemental, or Tribal Leatherworker, please refer to our dedicated specialization guides:
260 – 290
-
260 – 290: 33x Wicked Leather Gauntlets
- Materials: 264 x Rugged Leather, 33 x Black Dye, 33 x Rune Thread
Wicked Leather Gauntlets are your go-to recipe for this skill range. The Pattern: Wicked Leather Gauntlets is sold by limited supply vendors Leonard Porter (Alliance) and Werg Thickblade (Horde). Due to its limited supply, consider checking the Auction House or utilize the alternative recipe below if the pattern is unavailable or overpriced.
Alternative recipe (265-290):
If the Wicked Leather Gauntlets pattern is elusive, you can continue crafting Nightscape Boots up to skill level 265, requiring an additional 100-150 Thick Leather. Then switch to:
-
265 – 290: 28x Wicked Leather Bracers
- Materials: 224 x Rugged Leather, 28 x Black Dye, 28 x Rune Thread
The Pattern: Wicked Leather Bracers drops from Legashi Rogue in Azshara (5% drop rate). It’s also advisable to check the Auction House for this pattern to avoid unnecessary grinding.
290 – 300
-
290 – 300: 10x Runic Leather Headband
- Materials: 140 x Rugged Leather, 100 x Runecloth, 10 x Rune Thread
Runic Leather Headbands are the final step to reaching 300 Leatherworking. The Pattern: Runic Leather Headband is sold by Jase Farlane in Eastern Plaguelands, another limited supply vendor. Be prepared to check vendor respawn times or the Auction House.
Alternative recipes (290-300):
Consider these alternative recipes if the Runic Leather Headband pattern is unavailable or materials are preferred:
- Pattern: Wicked Leather Headband – Drops from Jadefire Tricksters in Felwood (2% drop rate). Auction House purchase recommended if cheaper than Runecloth.
- World Drop Patterns (Auction House only):
Congratulations on achieving 300 Leatherworking skill in Classic WoW! Your journey to mastering this profession is now complete.
If you have any feedback or suggestions to improve this classic leatherworking guide, or if you spot any errors or outdated information, please send feedback. Your input helps us keep our guides accurate and helpful for the community.
