Tandy Vs. Herman Oak Leather

[Rocket6R]

About two years ago I bought a single 8/9 oz. shoulder from Tandy. It sat in my closet since then. Anyway, I pulled the shoulder out about two months ago and started to make holsters, which turned out pretty good. I soon ran out of the Tandy leather and bought a HO single 7/8 oz. shoulder from Springfield. I was less than thrilled with the HO leather from Springfield. When I ordered the HO leather from Springfield I specified a "clean B grade" shoulder. Between the two shoulders Tandy had a better tanned surface, but the Springfield HO leather had better backing. Overall the Tandy leather was a better piece.

Here's my issue!

I wet formed and dried both Tandy and the Springfield HO leather the same way while making my holsters. The Tandy has held its form better and the holsters are harder. The Springfield HO stuff is not as hard (more supple) and does not hold its form as well.

My question is could the difference in 1 oz. in leather be the difference between the hardness and form issues between the two shoulders? Or, is it the difference on how each shoulder was processed?

Thanks, Paul

Edited May 8, 2014 by Rocket6R

[Josh Ashman]

Leather is a natural product and each piece can vary quite a bit, even if they are tanned at the same place. Sometimes you find a really nice hide from Tandy and sometimes you run into a not so good Hermann Oak hide. The stiffness is most likely in how the hide was tanned or the nature of the leather itself.

In my experience 9 times out of 10, maybe even 99 out of 100 I'm happier with HO over Tandy's products. But that's just me.

Best regards, Josh

[doubleh]

I agree with Mr. Ashman. I'll admit to only being a hobbyist and do very little leather work anymore but I don't even consider Tandy's tooling leather for any of my projects.

[Chief31794]

Leather is a natural product and each piece can vary quite a bit, even if they are tanned at the same place. Sometimes you find a really nice hide from Tandy and sometimes you run into a not so good Hermann Oak hide. The stiffness is most likely in how the hide was tanned or the nature of the leather itself.

In my experience 9 times out of 10, maybe even 99 out of 100 I'm happier with HO over Tandy's products. But that's just me.

Best regards, Josh

X2, I went to Tandy today and looked through some of their leather. For the most part it was not very good, I would put iy at a D grade if there was such a thing. Hermann Oak has lost some of its quality in my opinion over the last few years but still way ahead of Tandy. I asked for some samples from RJF and they were beautiful. I asked out here and everybody raved about them that answered. I placed a sample order (a side and a shoulder) they will be here next week, I'm anxious to work with them. I was a little surprised thar they don't have a PayPal account or take credit cards, it's either check or money order, but I can work with that. They seem to cater to the holster trade and that suits me fine.

Chief

Edited May 8, 2014 by Chief31794

[mlapaglia]

About two years ago I bought a single 8/9 oz. shoulder from Tandy. It sat in my closet since then. Anyway, I pulled the shoulder out about two months ago and started to make holsters, which turned out pretty good. I soon ran out of the Tandy leather and bought a HO single 7/8 oz. shoulder from Springfield. I was less than thrilled with the HO leather from Springfield. When I ordered the HO leather from Springfield I specified a "clean B grade" shoulder. Between the two shoulders Tandy had a better tanned surface, but the Springfield HO leather had better backing. Overall the Tandy leather was a better piece.

Here's my issue!

I wet formed and dried both Tandy and the Springfield HO leather the same way while making my holsters. The Tandy has held its form better and the holsters are harder. The Springfield HO stuff is not as hard (more supple) and does not hold its form as well.

My question is could the difference in 1 oz. in leather be the difference between the hardness and form issues between the two shoulders? Or, is it the difference on how each shoulder was processed?

Thanks, Paul

Are you heating your holsters after they are molded to make them stiff or just going with how they are after they dry? 10-30 minutes at about 150-200 degs really helps them stiffen. The object is to get the leather temp up to 135-140 for a few minutes. How long and what temp you use depends on the thickness of the leather and your oven.

Try it on some scrap if you are not doing this yet. Watch it as it can burn pretty fast if you are not careful.

[Rocket6R]

Are you heating your holsters after they are molded to make them stiff or just going with how they are after they dry? 10-30 minutes at about 150-200 degs really helps them stiffen. The object is to get the leather temp up to 135-140 for a few minutes. How long and what temp you use depends on the thickness of the leather and your oven.

Try it on some scrap if you are not doing this yet. Watch it as it can burn pretty fast if you are not careful.

I have been drying the leather in a toaster over. I do 100 to 110 degrees for 60 minutes and then let the holster air dry for 24 hours.

I spoke to a friend of mine who knows more about leather work than I do and explained the issues to him. I think he may have found the problem. These shoulders have some part of the neck on them. I used part of the neck on the shoulder to make this IWB holster. He said that was the problem. He told me if I had stayed away from the neck portion and used the actual shoulder I would have been fine.

Paul

Edited May 8, 2014 by Rocket6R

[Red Cent]

Chief, I hope they are good. I ordered four double shoulders from Roger today.

[Samalan]

RJF Has the best leather i have used yet, and roger is a great guy to deal with.

[mlapaglia]

I have been drying the leather in a toaster over. I do 100 to 110 degrees for 60 minutes and then let the holster air dry for 24 hours.

I spoke to a friend of mine who knows more about leather work than I do and explained the issues to him. I think he may have found the problem. These shoulders have some part of the neck on them. I used part of the neck on the shoulder to make this IWB holster. He said that was the problem. He told me if I had stayed away from the neck portion and used the actual shoulder I would have been fine.

Paul

That would explain it. I've made that mistake too.

Michael

[Chief31794]

Chief, I hope they are good. I ordered four double shoulders from Roger today.

RJF Has the best leather i have used yet, and roger is a great guy to deal with.

Red Cent,

Me too. I liked the samples a lot.

Samalan,

I agree on Roger being great to deal with and have high hopes for the leather.

Chief

[JLSleather]

Anybody TOOLing this leather from RJF? The last piece of HO I bought wouldn't even dye evenly - even submersing it in oil dyes - uneven penetration.

Solid color and / or formed holsters are nice, too, but I'd like to hear that someone tried the tooling leather.

[Chief31794]

Anybody TOOLing this leather from RJF? The last piece of HO I bought wouldn't even dye evenly - even submersing it in oil dyes - uneven penetration.

Solid color and / or formed holsters are nice, too, but I'd like to hear that someone tried the tooling leather.

I did some sample tooling on the samples they sent and I was very impressed. I should have some in the shop in a day or so I'll carve something and photograph it and let you know what I think for sure. If you contact Roger he'll send you some samples to try.

Chief

[Samalan]

RJF leather is a touch firmer than most and tools really nice showing great color and depth IMHO.

[JLSleather]

Yep, guess I'll give 'em a call. I thought about it before, but didn't "go" on it because I couldn't order with a card on the phone. Might just have to look up a youtube video or something to remind me how to write an actual check!

Thanks, fellas!

[Chief31794]

Yep, guess I'll give 'em a call. I thought about it before, but didn't "go" on it because I couldn't order with a card on the phone. Might just have to look up a youtube video or something to remind me how to write an actual check!

Thanks, fellas!

Hey,

If they don't have a tutorial on check writing, how about videoing it when you write yours and post it for the rest of us, lol. He has an email, not sure why he won't at least open a PayPal Account. I have a Square D and can take credit cards anywhere. Hope the leather is worth it.

Chief

[DavidL]

Hey,

If they don't have a tutorial on check writing, how about videoing it when you write yours and post it for the rest of us, lol. He has an email, not sure why he won't at least open a PayPal Account. I have a Square D and can take credit cards anywhere. Hope the leather is worth it.

Chief

Is it called square D or does it go by any other name. Square up is the only one I found and the card has to be swiped.

Can you send me a link I'm interested if it can be used like paypal with a lower rate.

Conversion rates are skewed on their site.

[Chief31794]

Is it called square D or does it go by any other name. Square up is the only one I found and the card has to be swiped.

Can you send me a link I'm interested if it can be used like paypal with a lower rate.

Conversion rates are skewed on their site.

Sorry David,

I get Senior Minutes once in a while, Square D is the breakers I use in the shop electrical system it is Squareup, they gave me a little device I can plug into my Ipad to swipe cards, but I can also just enter numbers into the system manually over the Ipad or computer (on their site), and the money is moved to my account before the sale is executed.

Chief

[DavidL]

Sorry David,

I get Senior Minutes once in a while, Square D is the breakers I use in the shop electrical system it is Squareup, they gave me a little device I can plug into my Ipad to swipe cards, but I can also just enter numbers into the system manually over the Ipad or computer (on their site), and the money is moved to my account before the sale is executed.

Chief

Can this work for online to get it programmed into a website so it can be checked out instead of paypal.

[Chief31794]

Can this work for online to get it programmed into a website so it can be checked out instead of paypal.

I don't think so, but I see you're on ETSY, they handle credit cards for you without a square account or they'll allow customers to use PayPal if they choose to do so. I only use the Square at craft fairs and for local transactions in the shop.

Chief

[JLSleather]

Been trying to call RJF. Is there some 'trick' to getting them on the phone? I filled out the little contact form on the web site, but haven't had a response from that either.

[JLSleather]

Alrightey, then. Roger called back, and I ordered a few weights to see what we're talkin' about. Definitely gonna figure out the check-sending thing, but I think it'll work out fine. None of you fellas tried the leather yet?

[Chief31794]

Alrightey, then. Roger called back, and I ordered a few weights to see what we're talkin' about. Definitely gonna figure out the check-sending thing, but I think it'll work out fine. None of you fellas tried the leather yet?

Mine came in, I ordered a double shoulder in Natural and a Drum Dyed side of Mahogany. They both look great, but he sent Black instead of the Mahogany so he's sending the right color and it'll be here tomorrow. I love the look and feel of the leather, I have a holster order waiting for the Mahogany, I'll let you know after I get it in and start working with it. The natural was for stock to convert into Belts, Instrument Straps or Rifle Slings, and I don't have any orders for those at this time. This was a test order, so far I'm impressed. Roger was very nice and easy to deal with, even though it was my first order, he sent the leather at the same time I was sending the check so it didn't cause any delay.

Chief

[JLSleather]

I ordered shoulders, too, in 3 different weights. Figured that's a good 'look see' order. I'm with you -- the HO I've been seeing is not what it used to be. I ordered "B" grade from one place and "A" grade from another and neither was particularly good (and some went back).

When I get a total amount for the order, i'll have to call the bank and have them make out a check. The business account has NEVER had checks printed - just never had call for them

[Chief31794]

I ordered shoulders, too, in 3 different weights. Figured that's a good 'look see' order. I'm with you -- the HO I've been seeing is not what it used to be. I ordered "B" grade from one place and "A" grade from another and neither was particularly good (and some went back).

When I get a total amount for the order, i'll have to call the bank and have them make out a check. The business account has NEVER had checks printed - just never had call for them

I don't have checks on my business account either but it is with Bank of America and they will send a check wherever I want it to go, I go online, pull up BOA and go to Payees and schedule a payment to RJF once Roger lets me know how much, BOA sends it out and it's a bank check so he doesn't have any problem with it either.

Works OK, just can't believe that he doesn't take plastic!

I've looked at the shoulder I got and it is beautiful, the back is firm and smooth and really looks nice, the surface has a sheen to it, so I am going to carve something and dye it, just to make sure it takes dye well. It is supposed to. His prices aren't bad either.

Chief

[JLSleather]

Not sure what's with the ad at the top of this site, though. That price ($5.75 for backs) I think has gone away.