how to buy leather?

[sssz]

Hi all.

I'm a beginner leathercrafter, and would like to know some hints or ideas from others as to how they buy their leather. Is it cheaper to buy precut stamped stuff ie wallets and stubby holders, or should I look at buying sides of tooling leather and cutting it my self. Also where is the cheapest place to get leather, (in Australia) craft stores, online, O/S or at a tannery. Ive just been to my local saddlery/leather store and was quite suprised as to how much a side of leather was? Any hints from others would be greatly appreciated.

Stu.

[cem]

I haven't been doing leathercraft that long either but I've found it was best for me to buy a side or double shoulders as I'm going to be making different sized things and the scraps from the bigger things can be used to make smaller things like wristbands, bookmarks, watchstraps etc so I shouldn't have that much waste. But if you just want to make the set sized things it might be best for you to buy the already cut pieces. Though you are stuck with what quality they use which may or may not be a problem for you.

These are the places I've looked at buying leather from in Australia I'm in Perth.

Birdsall www.birdsall-leather.com.au/

Leffler www.leffler.com.au

Crispen www.crispinleather.com.au/ Have a printed catalogue they will send out

NSW Leather Co www.nswleather.com.au/

Greenhalgh Tannery www.gretannery.com.au

There are a couple of leather shops in WA but their tools were fairly expensive so I wasn't game to ask about their leather prices but probably will if I run out and need something quick.

I've actually bought stuff from Crispen and NSW Leather Co (their agent in Perth) and both were about $120 for double shoulders/side (double shoulders from Crispen, side from NSW but were about the same size) as for quality I preferred Crispen for carving the stuff from NSW Leather Co was quite light and I didn't like the way it carved I'm new but I could still tell the difference in the carving quality. For the next lot I buy I will try the other three Leffler does a club thing where if you buy their membership you get a discount, Birdsall seem quite big and look to have a decent selection and Greenhalgh as far as I can find are the only tannery in Australia still doing veg tanning, I think there is another member here also who has used their leather.

You aren't likely to find good leather in craft shops at least I haven't in Perth the only stuff I have seen is cheap bags of suede scrap from Spotlight which comes in some shocking colours.

There are other Aus members here who have more experience than me so hopefully they will chime in as well and may possibly know of some other places that I have missed. I'm interested to know if anyone has bought leather overseas online too, I've bought tools and books from overseas but not leather as of yet.

Hope this helps a little bit

Cheers,

Clair

Edited November 29, 2007 by cem

[Randy Cornelius]

Buying leather by the side is the best way. You should figure that you will have about 1/3 that is waste. Small pieces ect and the belly that are not much usuable. The belly can be used for some items but it is stretchy and very loose. It will make knife sheeths etc but not much else. Double shoulder is also a good way to go but you will pay more per sq. ft. than if you buy the side. But there will be less waste. If you are making a lot of belts or strap goods the double shoulders would be the way to go.

Randy

[sssz]

Cheers for the info, Sides of leather it is!

[skipj]

A successful leather worker I took a class from buys double shoulders, says it's the most economical buy.

SkipJ

[figthnbullrider]

im kind of new to leather working (about a year working on stuff) but i have found that you will have alot more fun buying a side and making all kinds of things with it. you will have lots of extra to practice and screw up and make girlfriends stupid gifts and such. it just seems like once i bought a side i gained alot of experience.

[barra]

SSSZ. The links that CEM has provided are all worth a look. Lefflers have as a comprehensive range of products as you will see in Australia. If your ever in Melb pay them a visit in York St. South Melb. Buying by the side/back/butt etc is the best way to go. Depending on what you want to make I would go with sides. Even the stretchy belly can be turned into something.

I make mainly horse tack so I'm after saddlery grade leather. I have used Greenhalghs bridle sides for many years exclusively unless I want to slurge and suffer ticket shock with a Sedgewick bridle back. I'm not sure about anyones embossing sides as on the odd occasion I need some I just get it from a local Adelaide merchant (I think it comes from Leffler anyway).

All in all the links CEM provided will more than satisfy your needs.

Barra