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UPDATE: I was contacted by the owner Doug, and it looks like he is going to resolve the situation. He seemed alarmed that any of his employees would hang up on a customer and surprised at what I was told. I have been purchasing Bison hides of various shades for the past few years, primarily for the production of guitar straps. I have purchased numerous sides from Tandy and lately The Hide House in California and most recently Montana leather Company. I am able to make the straps quickly and because there is virtually no finishing required I am able to offer them at a reasonable price. I also have a wholesale contract with a guitar manufacturer to produce branded bison straps The bison is great for straps because the flesh side is soft, comfortable on the shoulder and also essentially padded. I sometimes purchase 10-12 oz and then skive the strap to 6-7 oz but leaving the middle like a built in shoulder pad. In addition I make a range of instrument cases using drum dyed leather in various shades from Wicket and Craig. I also use their dyed leather for musical instrument straps for guitars, banjos and mandolins. So over the past 15 years or so I have been through many dyed hides with no issues. I purchased two Bison sides from Montana Leather Company a few weeks ago, one was brown and the other had a reddish tint. I though the red tint would be great for folks with red electric instruments. Opened the package a few days ago and last night I started trimming the sides, first the brown and then the red. When I started cutting the red hide, I notice my hands were turning orange! The red dye was bleeding from the flesh side and of course, it would have been a disaster to make a strap from that side. I called the company and spoke to Brandon. I explained the problem and assumed I had a defective dye job. I was the passed on the the manager, who I believe was Patrick, the owners son. I explained that the hide was defective, it was unusable for my application and what could they do to help me. He then told me "It's normal for all dyed leather to bleed" "I have sold thousands of hides and they all bleed" I explained that in my experience of purchasing commercially dyed hides, for many years, that they don't bleed, and neither does the other hide I purchased from them. He told me that all his customers seal the flesh side of the leather he sells them. "That's Normal" . I asked him what they use and he mentioned Resolene. I replied that I have a gallon of it but I doubt it will leave the flesh side as I required, in a soft comfortable condition but I agreed to try. I asked what they can do if it doesn't work and he basically told me to suck rocks and hung up. I called back and explained that if they refuse to accept responsibility, I will contest the transaction with my credit card company. He then stated it doesn't work like that, clearly having had this issue before. This was the worst customer experience I have had in recent times with ANY vendor and I caution against doing business with this "bleeding" company. The below images show the bison swatch from their web site and the flesh side and the effect of Resolene on the left side. The Resolene effect would be fine for a bison bag, wallet or similar but a guitar strap..not so much. Also if they had posted the bright orange flesh side on their web site I never would have purchased it. Any comments, or suggestions much appreciated. Bob

Finally, I have finished my pair of 19th century shotgun step ins chaps. It took me nearly a year to get them cut out. I went for very simple yokes with no tooling as I'm not very good at it yet and I'm happy with the simple appearance. The leather for the chaps themselves is from The Hide House. Mocha apache bison vegetable tanned medium hand full grain 4-5 oz 51sqft hide. The yokes are 5-6 oz Chestnut Brown Lamport Leather. I was able to get the yokes, back belt, and the end pieces that go at the bottom of the leg out of a 30x60cm piece. Overall, I'm very happy with how they turned out. as I have a lot of leather left over from the hide, so I have enough to make a matching waistcoat.

I am in the process of upholstering an early 1930's Ford truck bench seat and door cards using two bison hides. I've done the foam and fabric underpinnings and am now moving to the leather work, basically some pleats on both surfaces, similar to the attached image but all in Bison leather, which is thick but relatively supple. I'm using my Consew 206rb and am planning on using Schmetz Leather Machine Needle Size 18/110, I haven't started experimenting with thread and the leather yet. I have Coats star nylon 16 pt tex 210 207 in brown, will this needles and thread combination work? Does anyone have any other tips on sewing Bison leather? I haven't used it before - it seems pretty pliable and a bit stretchy. Thanks!

My 51 SQFT bison hide came a couple of months ago. Now it's time to finally start making my chaps. I just have to find a big enough table now.

i'd like to know if they would be any significant different between these two bison leather made by the hide house that would make one better for making working step in shotgun chaps. https://www.hidehouse.com/Leather/Apache-Bison-Bison-Full-Grain-Aniline-Finish-BA02-P.asp https://www.hidehouse.com/Leather/Navajo-Bison-Bison-Full-Grain-Aniline-Finish-BN22-P.asp

ONLY $1025 / each Only 7 Left at this Price!!! Have you been silently debating with yourself on whether or not to purchase a Hair-On Bison Hide? Well, debate no more... NOW is the time to act! Prices on our BEAUTIFUL Hair- On Bison Hides will be going up slightly with our next batch. BUT we still have 2 available in our Colorado store 5 available in our Arizona store at the original price! So don't hesitate and ask how to reserve one of these today! These won't last long at this price! (Shipping Available at additional cost) CO: 303-674-3123 AZ: 623-386-1314

FULL (Chrome Tanned) WINTER BISON HIDE = $1025 (+shipping) We run a Bison Ranch out of Colorado and Arizona and offer the hides for sale as well as the meat. We just got back our Winter Hair-on Hides and they are absolutely stunning! The hair is thick and soft! Fully tanned, so all you have to decide is how to display it! I still have 1 more left in our Colorado Store and a few left in our Arizona Store! If interested, please contact us ASAP. Limited quantities available.

I work on a Bison ranch in Colorado and we currently have a variety of tanned Bison Hides available! We have both full size and 1/2 size in stock! All the tanning work is done, all you have to do is add your creative tough to turn them into something special!! Leather is thick, soft, and flexible- perfect for making clothing, moccasins, upholstery, or whatever your creative mind can think up!! 1/2 Size: Measure roughly 14 sq ft (give or take). 2 colors available- tan and chocolate ........... $200.00/ each Full Size: Measure 28-30 sq ft. (give or take). 2 colors available- tan (lighter tan than 1/2 hides) and wine ...... $700.00/ each Shipping available at additional cost. Additional pictures available upon request. If you're interested, shoot me a message on here or vial email at adamsnaturalmeats@aol.com. OR if you're local, stop on by the ranch to check them out in person! Looking for full size hair-on Bison hides? We are taking pre-orders!!! We are awaiting out winter coat hair on Bison hides to come back from the tanner!! These were sent in when the animals had their full plush winter coat on them and are BEAUTIFUL!! We will be selling them for $1000.00/each. If you're wanting to add one to your collection, reserve yours now! Don't wait! They won't last long at this price! We will take your information, and call you as soon as they come in so you get first dibs!!!!

I work for a Bison rancher in Colorado and we have several 1/2 bison hides for sale. We currently have a dark chocolate brown and a medium tan. They are approximately 14 sq ft hides (give or take). All the tanning work is done, all you have to do is add your creative touch to turn them into something special! The leather is soft and flexible. Would be perfect for making clothing, moccasins, upholstery, or whatever your creative brain can think up. If you are interested, shoot me a message on here or via email! adamsnaturalmeats@aol.com

Hello Everyone, I'm looking for various pieces of exotic leather. I'm a fledgeling watch strap hobbyist, looking for pieces of 1 to 3 square feet. Potentially scraps if 1 inch wide and 6+ inches long. Open to just about any exotics, or bison, shrunken grain leather, or anyhting interesting and with a lot of character. Feel free to get intouch on here, or email directly at moscar80@gmail Thanks!

Hey guys, my name is Ben Sharrett and I'm new to the forum. Ive been doing leatherwork for about 6 months now and recently purchased some buffalo leather to make some coasters out of. Upon receiving the leather I noticed it had a very shiny coating on it that has prevented me from stamping with a hammer or burning with a heating source. I also tried sanding the finish off of some pieces and it still didn't work well. Is there anything I can do in order to be able to use my custom stamps on these? Thanks! Ben

Hello all, My name is David K. Manuel. I am a first time poster here and want to share what I've been up to with leather recently. This one is a project I did as a gift to myself over the Thanksgiving holiday break. I had fun with this one and learned a few things. I look forward to being inspired by this community as well as learning many new things.

When trying to find buffalo or bison leather i can only find 30% veg tanned or 30% reveg leather. My question is can u wet mold 30% veg tanned or re veg leather and will it make items rust assuming it has some chrome tanning done to it? Thank you for your time and posts

Ive seen a lot of bison leather products like wallets and bags with the edges unfinished ive heard good things about it durability and softness but i really dont like the look of an unfinished edge. Im just wondering if theres a reason like it doesnt burnish correctly and thats why the edges are left unfinished or is it just a preference?

These are some photos of a leather vest I just finished for the 2014 United Bowhunters of Missouri auction happening this February. It is made from 4 oz buffalo leather, trimmed in deer and lined with fleece. The logo on the back is a collection of leathers; deer, shark, ostrich and embossed cowhide. Everything was sewn by hand using artificial sinew. The size is 44R. To keep the smaller and bigger people from feeling left out, I donated a second vest that will be made to the winner's specifications and my limited artistic ability. Darren

Hello, We are new to this forum and are looking for someone in the Northwest Arkansas area to take our scrap leather and turn them into bi-fold wallets, etc. We have tons of ostrich, buffalo, and lamb hides available. Our hides are all cut down to our book binding size, and hides measure roughly 17" W x 13" H. We compensate for your time and skill. Thanks.