Are there any tips for a novice about to embark on hand stitching leather for an oak and leather case recover, such as best leather hole punches, needles, thread, cutting/skeeving tools, etc.

Youtube is a tremendous resource. There are numerous Youtube videos that show simple tricks and shortcuts that enhance the end result. If there is a Tandy Leather Store near you, they can be of help. There are several FB leather groups that would be willing to be of assistance with questions and suggestions. I've never had a leather craftsman turn me away without helping if I had a question. Let me just say...barge cement and paper clamps are a must....

Like Tarheel said. Search for vintage suitcase repair. My wife has taken up case repair and has found the inter web to be of great help.

The internet can be a wealth of information for all manner of stuff.

When I lived in bush AK, the native women of the village put on a skin sewing class that I decided to attend. The charge was nominal for the required needles and other material. We had the choice of sewing either mukluks or a fur hat. Fron the patterns they provided, we cut out with a single edge razor blade, the pieces to be sewn together. The needles were a variety of fairly thick straight and curved needles. We didn't use an awl or leather hole punches and although in some areas of the hair on leather we were sewing, it took a bit of effort to punch through, but the needles worked fine! They had us sew the pieces together with waxed dental floss, which was, for the most part hidden since we sewed the edges together from the inside out, I sewed up a pair of mukluks and for the oogruk soles, I had one of the native ladies sew those on for me. And although I seldom wear the mukluks, they're still holding together fine with the waxed dental floss stitching.
If you're going to hand stitch a leather case, my suggestion is to practice hand stitching to ensure your stitching is even for width and depth. The needles and all other materials can probably be found at about any craft store/leather shop, as has been suggested and it's easy to hand cut the leather with a good sharp single edge razor blade and a pattern and/or straight edge.

Sounds like an interesting workshop.

Thanks all.

Waxed dental floss for thread. Personally i use a drill press and small drill to make the binding holes

Sew leather with a thread and a needle on each end. If you can’t push the needle through, use a small electric drill. There is a rotary tool for marking even spacing for holes.

Thanks all. I acquired some stitching chisels, harness needles, and waxed thread, and have been practicing saddle stitching on scraps. Plenty of YouTube videos, although some are well….