RoosterShooter Report post Posted November 17, 2014 I have a semi-local source, 30 minutes away, for Chahin Leather. I normally use Hermann Oak, but they are as much as a month behind on orders, and I am needing some leather now. Plus, there is the fact that HO leather demands a premium while Chahin is a little more affrodable. I like the samples that the rep mailed me for Chahin. Do any of you have any experience with Chahin Leather? I will be making holsters, belts, and straps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Sioux Saddlery Report post Posted November 17, 2014 (edited) Ya get what ya pay for. I thought I'd try some from Weavers, primarily because of the color selection on the harness leather and skirting. There are some things I like about it, but overall, it's not worth the savings if you're buying strictly for that reason, IMO. The yield is poor on the sides I've gotten (probably about 8 or 10 sides) due to flesh cuts in undesirable areas. The last time I ordered, I specified I needed the side to be 8+ ft long and clean enough to cut reins. I got one that was 7 ft at the longest point. Now that's a Weaver screw-up. I sent it back, had them send out another side. This one was over 8 ft, but impossible to cut reins from due to flesh cuts in the prime areas. Didn't catch the one until after I'd cut the side, so I own that one, and I'll never get reins out of it. Their light colored harness discolored really bad from working it. Pulled it through my rounder for roping reins and it turned a really ugly color. The skirting stamped pretty decent, and oiled up to an attractive finish, but it'd be damn near impossible to get a seat out of the sides I've gotten due to imperfections on grain and flesh. Molding ability is not as good as HO or W & C. It might be fine for belts. Like I said, really nice color selection and finish on the harness leathers. The lighter weights might make great belts. It's a drier leather that HO harness. Chahin's English Bridle I wasn't all that impressed with. Can't really pinpoint the reason, just didn't finish up all that attractive, and looked like the grain might be prone to crack after a few years. I've made very few holsters in my life, so I can't really knowledgeably give advice there, except that what I've gotten didn't mold as well as the domestic leathers. Good luck. If you do try some, let us know what you think. Afterthought: For about a year I have been using some hame straps that I got from an Amish harness maker (I buy some harness from him for resale as a cheaper alternative to my stuff) and I know for a fact he used Chahin leather to make them. They have held up really well, and hame straps, especially the bottom ones, receive a lot of abuse. So much of this stuff though, you really won't know how it holds up until after a few years of hard, regular use. Edited November 17, 2014 by Big Sioux Saddlery Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
