TonyV

The only thing that doesn't carry a Prop 65 label that I'm sure definitely needs one is the border sign when entering the State of California. Your cheapish leather is fine. JUst don't chew on it regularly.

Sweet! Next one is Atom Heart Mother, yes?

There is truth in what you say here. I can think of many examples. However, the steel is not the only factor. Heat treating is probably just as important as the alloy. Why would an old tool made of 'inferior' steel be better than a modern tool made of 'superior' steel? An experienced craftsman with decades of experience can often harden and temper 'inferior' steel by eye to a better quality than a 20-something newby can treat modern steel by punching the buttons on the automatic forge oven that he was told to punch just yesterday. That's one of the reasons why old, even antique, high quality, hand made tools are so highly prized.

Caribou, maybe? Hollow hairs. I guess any of the northern fur-bearers would work well, though, as long as it blocks the wind.

make friends with the manager of a tire store. He may be willing to set you up with the occasional used bias-ply tire that comes into the shop, especially if you grease him with a lunch, beverage or coin of the realm. An auto recycler might be a source, as well. Old fashioned bias ply tires are still sold for classic cars, and that type tire can be cut easily with a band saw.

Nice old stitching awl.. It would be an honor to use a great grandfather's tools. Heck, I don't even have any of my father's tools. Sorry, the brand stamp I can not read.

yeah, 'bioplastic' was the word I couldn't think of at the moment. As with all things 'green', biplastics and biofuels are not nearly as green as they want us to believe. As to the OP, "vegan leather" is just plastic, or Pleather. A synthetic fabric and not leather at all. "veg tan" leather is animal hide tanned by using vegetable -sourced tannins, such as oak etc. A true leather.

so-called "vegan leather" is plastic, for sure. But not vinyl, nor even from petrochemicals. It is made of plastic derived from vegetable oil. Yes, it's a thing.

I have a 12 in long pice of 8x8 timber that I use for various projects, including leather punching. End grain for leather punching, of course.