GarrusV

Hi Nigel, Thanks for sharing this great tutorial! I'm interested in starting on my own project as well, but I need to know how many bags I can make from a side. I'm making a 15"(W) by 11"(H) by 5"(D) bag, I estimate that I'll need about 7.15 sq ft. of leather. The following piece of hide looks GOOD, about 25 sq ft. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-World-LATIGO-COWHIDE-LEATHER-24-27-Sq-Ft-6-oz-1-Quality-British-Tan-AE1/290943363410?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D18474%26meid%3D3154465751735074165%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D8385%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D290943363410%26 If I manage to find someone skilled or maybe even you!, can I assume I can make 3 bags out of this 25 sq ft piece of hide? I'm estimating as this piece is costly and I want to know how many bags I can make before I commit... Thanks!

Hi again, with another newbie question... If I'm building a 15"(W) by 11"(H) by 5"(D) bag, with a laptop compartment inside the bag, another large compartment outside the back of the bag, and including the strap, I'm estimating the bag will need about 7.15 sq ft. Breakdown: Laptop pocket: 14" by 11", about 0.93 sq ft Front piece: 15" by 11", about 1.15 sq ft Back piece with cover and large back compartment: 15" by 11" + 15" by 5" + 15" by 9", about 3.45 sq ft Gusset: 11" by 5" + 11" by 5" + 15" by 5", about 1.29 sq ft Strap: 1" by 48", about 0.32 sq ft I'm looking at this side, looks very nice, but very pricey. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-World-LATIGO-COWHIDE-LEATHER-24-27-Sq-Ft-6-oz-1-Quality-British-Tan-AE1/290943363410?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D18474%26meid%3D3154465751735074165%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D8385%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D290943363410%26 If I were to purchase this, theoretically I can make 3 bags, counting in the waste...cuts that can't be used...damaged hide... Is this estimation accurate? Please advise!

Oh I see...yeah I saw that video. Surprised that the comments are turned off, but as you said it's because of too many bad comments! But about my own costs estimates...is it accurate? I hope to roughly get a grip on a budget before I start out!

Thanks for the tip! Looking up at tandy's and ebay for some of the pricing. Even with this Saddleback? http://www.saddlebackleather.com/briefcasethin?sc=8&category=301406 I watched some user reviews on Youtube, some posted after 6 months of use, and read some blog reviews. I have the impression they are really solid bags, in particular the thin briefcase. If I'm going to make this myself, the costs looks high... - Considering that it's made out of 3 pieces of leather (front, gusset, back), so I have to probably purchase one whole hide for this project? - Crazy horse leather. I looked up at ebay, and found the following which looks like it, at 6oz at achieve that rigidity / thickness. It's already $100. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-World-LATIGO-COWHIDE-LEATHER-24-27-Sq-Ft-6-oz-1-Quality-British-Tan-AE1-/290943363410?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43bd936952 - I'm not doing the stiffeners, handles or the extra D-rings to turn it into a bag. - If I were to find an expert to stitch this up, I think I'll have to pay him at least another $100? So in total I'm estimating I'll have to spend $200 to make this bag myself. Do you guys think this amount is a good estimate?

Hi Geneva, Thanks for your input. I meant no disrespect, just trying to get more understanding. You're probably right, my sources are mostly salesmen, not craftsmen! I came across this Burberry bag with this interior lining. Feels VERY good, similar feeling when I brush against fur. Is this a kind of suede? https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/85896290/20131124_165249.jpg

Thank you very much! Back to more reading...

Hi guys, I'm aiming to complete a project to end off with a look like saddleback leather's tobacco briefcase, and use full grain leather for durability. Just itching to see if I can achieve this myself! But I have talked to several peeps who trade leather, and they told me it's not possible to achieve the rigidity or looks using full grain. To achieve the look of the photo above, crazy horse leather must be used. If full grain leather is used, it will look like the following. The bag directly above looks like of sloppy to me.... I'm confused at this stage, are my sources correct that full grain can only achieve the look of the second image? If full grain is possible, what kind of finish / tanning must I ask for? Can full grain be used for my project? And is 6-7 oz leather enough to achieve the rigidity and look?

Thanks Cyberthrasher, I read up about "genuine" leather...split and some of the basic stuff. I have searched this forum regarding saddleback's stuff, and kind of understand the doubts regarding Dave's statements. My own sources are also telling me the same things as well. 1) Drum dyed leather...this is also a generic term as well right? Or it is a kind of finish? Do you have any guides you can point me to? I was told the leather used in that tobacco briefcase is called "crazy horse" leather. I have searched "crazy horse leather" on Google, Youtube...hardly any detailed info came up, except that oil and wax is used during the tanning process. 2) And that means that there's no way it's vegetable tanned, am I right? 3) My sources are telling me that is not possible to achieve the look of that tobacco briefcase using full grain leather, is that true? 4) If I want to achieve that kind of rigidity, I have to use at least 8oz leather? Please advise, thanks!

Hi everyone, I came across Saddlebackleather's thin briefcase. MY GOODNESS it is beautiful! Especially the tobacco colour. http://media.saddlebackleather.com/image/upload/w_1280,h_1280,c_fill/01-10-0002-MD-TO-NP-C-01-1900.jpg http://www.saddlebackleather.com/briefcasethin?sc=8&category=301406 I read on the site that they only use full grain leather, but when I asked some of my friends they told me there's no way full grain leather can be made to look like that. They also told me there's no way full grain can be made to look or stay as rigid as Saddleback briefcase. Anyone here knows what kind of leather is used for the tobacco? Appreciate if anyone here can advise. Thanks!

Hi Trevor! Your bags look great! May I know what kind of leather you used and how much did you pay for the leather?