Technical Foundation
What Is a Split Rivet?
A split (bifurcated) rivet has a shank divided into two sharpened prongs rather than a solid shaft. Because the prongs are pointed, the rivet can be driven directly through soft materials like leather, canvas, felt, or gasket stock without pre-drilling a hole — the prongs pierce the material and then curl outward and back against the surface when hammered or pressed flat, creating a secure mechanical lock that resists pull-through even in materials too soft to hold a solid-shank rivet reliably.
Because the prongs spread and clinch rather than compress like a solid or tubular rivet, split rivets are best suited to layered or fibrous materials where the clinched prongs can grip fiber structure, rather than rigid materials like sheet metal, where a solid or blind rivet is the appropriate choice. Material selection (copper, steel, or brass) is driven by the finished appearance and the corrosion environment, with copper being traditional for leather goods due to its softness (easy to clinch by hand) and appearance.
Prefer a quick quote?
Get Split Rivets Pricing in Your Inbox
Skip the search — tell us the shank diameter, length and material finish and we will come back with pricing.
| Spec | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Shank Style | Bifurcated (split, two-pronged) shank | Prongs pierce soft material without pre-drilling and clinch back for a mechanical lock |
| Material | Copper, steel, brass | Copper is traditional for leather (soft, easy hand-clinching); steel/brass for higher strength or specific finish |
| Shank Diameter/Length | Sized to material thickness and load | Length must exceed material stack thickness enough for the prongs to fully curl back and clinch |
| Head Style | Flat, dome, or decorative head | Head style affects both appearance and bearing surface against the material being fastened |
| Application Suitability | Soft/fibrous materials (leather, canvas, gaskets) | Not suited to rigid materials like sheet metal — a solid or blind rivet is appropriate there instead |
Shop Split Rivets
Browse Split Rivets Sub-Categories
Organised by material. Pick a sub-category, or describe the material you're fastening and let ChatMRO match the rivet.
How it works
From Half-Remembered Part Number to PO, in Three Steps.
Ask
Type an MPN, paste a spec sheet, or describe the part in plain English. ChatMRO understands engineer-speak.
Compare
Side-by-side specs, cross-references, and equivalents from multiple sources — without the clutter of endless browser tabs.
Quote & Buy
Request a quote or add to cart. Volume discounts, VAT-aware pricing, and consolidated procurement — all in one place.
Applications
Where Split Rivets Get Used
Split rivets are specified anywhere a soft or fibrous material needs a mechanical fastening point without pre-drilling and without the rigidity of a solid rivet.
Leather Goods Manufacturing
Securing straps, buckles and reinforcement points on belts, bags and leather assemblies.
Gasket & Fabric Assembly
Fastening layered gasket material or heavy fabric where the material is too soft for a solid rivet.
Canvas & Outdoor Equipment
Securing hardware attachment points on canvas tents, tarps and heavy fabric goods.
Upholstery & Furniture
Attaching trim, straps and decorative hardware to upholstered surfaces.
General Craft & Repair
Field and shop repair of leather, canvas and fabric items requiring a fast, tool-simple fastening method.
FAQ
Split Rivets Questions, Answered
How is a split rivet different from a solid or tubular rivet?
A split rivet has a two-pronged (bifurcated) shank that pierces directly into soft material and clinches by curling the prongs outward and back against the surface. Solid and tubular rivets require a pre-drilled hole and are set by compressing or forming the shank end, making them better suited to rigid materials like sheet metal rather than soft, fibrous materials.
Do split rivets need a pre-drilled hole?
No — this is their main advantage. The sharpened prongs are designed to pierce directly through soft materials like leather, canvas, and gasket stock when driven with a hammer or press, eliminating the pre-drilling step required for solid rivets.
What material should I choose for a leather goods project?
Copper is the traditional choice for leather work because it's soft enough to clinch cleanly by hand or with simple tools, and its appearance and patina are considered desirable for many leather goods. Steel or brass split rivets offer more strength or a different finish appearance where that's preferred over copper's traditional look.
Can split rivets be used on sheet metal or hard materials?
Split rivets are designed for soft, fibrous materials where the prongs can pierce and clinch into the material fiber structure. They are not appropriate for rigid materials like sheet metal — a solid rivet, blind (pop) rivet, or other mechanical fastener designed for rigid material assembly should be used instead.
How do I size a split rivet for my material thickness?
The rivet's shank length needs to exceed the total thickness of the material stack by enough margin for the prongs to fully curl back and clinch flat against the back surface — too short a rivet won't clinch securely, while too long a rivet is harder to set cleanly. Check the manufacturer's length recommendation against your measured material stack thickness.
Keep browsing
Related Categories
Explore More
Find Your Next Part Now.
Describe a part number, spec or what it does.