ScottEnglish

FGBR: Thanks for suggesting giving A & A Crack a call. I'd looked on their website before and didn't see anything suitable, but maybe they can source what I need instead. Matt S: Regarding the vegetable-tanned buffalo leather for sale at Abbey England, it isn't shown on their website. I learnt of it through contacting them with a question about their chrome-tanned buffalo leather which I believe at present is currently out-of-stock. I'll contact A & A Crack and J Woods enquiring if they can obtain the leather I need. Thanks for suggesting them. Scott

Thanks fredk for sharing your experience. My search for thick leather suitable for footwear uppers continues. tsunkasapa: Thanks for your reply too.

Hello. Does any one have experience of working with vegetable-tanned buffalo leather? How supple is it compared to vegetable-tanned cowhide? How does it compare to chrome-tanned buffalo leather? If it's possible, I'm considering making footwear using thick, vegetable-tanned buffalo leather as I can't obtain chrome-tanned buffalo leather at present. Thanks. Scott

Hi. Can no one think of any alternatives? I'm struggling to find thick, chrome-tanned leather that is supple enough for making unlined footwear. Scott

Tsunkasapa: Thanks for your reply. Now I know. Matt S: Thanks. If I recall correctly, the leather is intended for equestrian use. Maybe it will soften. But without knowing this for certain, I'm going to return it.

Hi. Other than chrome-tanned cowhide and chrome-tanned bison or buffalo leather, is there any other leather suitable for making unlined footwear? Thanks. Scott

No pictures jcuk as I've only removed the outer packaging as I'm going to be sending it back. Furthermore, the only camera I have is the one built-in to my budget laptop. It's not that good. I can handle enough of the leather though to feel how stiff it is. Scott

Hi. Yesterday a parcel arrived at my lodgings containing half a chrome-tanned back, about 3.5mm - 4mm in thickness. I cannot believe how stiff it is! It's like plastic. I've had similar thickness vegetable-tanned leather that has been immeasurably more supple. I thought it would be similar in suppleness to previous chrome-tanned leathers I've bought allowing for the extra thickness. I will have to send it back as it's of no use to me. I thought chrome-tanned leather was meant to be supple? I'm confused. Thanks. Scott

Thanks for your advice Aven. I will try to ensure the replacement leather is suitable for my need. Scott

Hello again Aven. Thanks for the reply. The supplier describes the leather as a chrome half back and gives dimensions. No other information. My understanding, having contacted the company, is that the leather is from an English tannery. It may well be very good quality, but it's also very stiff and no use to me whatsoever. I will have to return it. Maybe their vegetable-tanned buffalo will be more supple and I can do an exchange. Scott

Hi. I've just opened a parcel containing half a chrome-tanned back, about 3.5mm - 4mm in thickness, that I'd hoped to use for unlined uppers. I cannot believe how stiff it is! It's like plastic. I've had similar thickness vegetable-tanned leather that has been immeasurably more supple. The leather is intended for equestrian use and was expensive. I thought it would be similar in suppleness to previous chrome-tanned leathers I've bought allowing for the extra thickness. I will have to send it back. Should this leather be supple or is it meant to be stiff? Thanks. Scott

Thanks Aven. A combination-tanned buffalo leather is available here in the UK too. Unfortunately, at present it's out of stock. I'll leave you in peace! Scott

I presume vegetable-tanned bison will be less pliable than chrome-tanned?

Hi Aven, thanks for the reply. The 8oz bison leather. Have you worn them regularly walking up and down hills? I ask as this puts more stress on the leather and promotes excessive stretching. Also, is the bison leather that you've used chrome-tanned? At present, I can only obtain buffalo leather here in the UK that is vegetable-tanned. Mocs by Arrow. If you're interested in how thick the leather uppers are, then please look at the photos. I think it's more than 8oz. strayfoto_04.jpg (800×600) 8456112976_25597c1dcb_z.jpg (640×480) (staticflickr.com) Thanks again. Scott

Hello Aven. Pattern placement. I've learnt a little about it through this forum. I know what you're talking about when you refer to direction of stretch. I'm often tempted though to focus more on economy when marking parts of a pattern on to leather than direction of stretch! I'll give this matter more thought. 8oz bison leather. What about 12oz leather? If you look at photos of some handmade mocs, such as those by Arrow Moccasin Company, the leather for the uppers looks awfully thick. Thanks for your contribution. Scott