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Hello. This is going to be a matter of opinion as there are so many options here. So I'm making a bunch of wallets for everyone for Xmas and I'm curious as to what type of finish I should use or rather what you all would use for a wallet. I'll give some background. The leather I'm using is a veg tan Korba buffalo calf from buckleguy. I'm getting the leather pre dyed (black and another color). Likely I'll burnish the edges with tokonole and beeswax. I guess I'm looking for a decent sheen, the more "luxurious" the better I guess (whatever "luxurious" means to you). What do you guys like to use? What oils do you guys like? Neatsfoot? Mink? So my plan is to use an oil like mink or neatsfoot then finish with tan kote unless someone has a better idea. I think that will be the look and feel that I'm going for. If anyone has any ideas that will help or even just some helpful info on what Im planning to use that would be great. Or even if you have a better idea all together. I'm all ears. Thank you for your time

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 everyone, I made a couple of belts for Father's Day, one for my Father and one for my Grandfather. This is the one for my Grandfather. It is 2 pieces of 6 ounce Asian buffalo glued together so the surface is on the outside and inside. Enjoy!

Howdy folks; New member here, first post. My name is Harvey Haines, I'm from Connecticut, and I've always wanted to try my hand at leatherwork. I'll be taking a hiatus and moving to Minneapolis in October, but for now I run a small glass and steel fabrication company. My current project is crafting banjo and guitar stands, an important feature of which is the intended use of heavy leather as padding at all contact points. It would be best to use leather from the U.S., but I'd go for an English leather if necessary. I've been thinking about getting Buffalo leather instead of cow, but I'm not knowledgable enough in availability, origins of materials, merits of different animals, etc. So, I figure I'll ask the experts here! The framework of each stand will be welded steel, with the leather being bolted on and largely stationary. However, the neck support will be, on at least one model, a 2" or 3" leather strap spanning the 4" or 5" gap between two pieces of steel. Rust, antique, or reddish-brown leather would offer a lovely color contrast against my steel frames, but I'm open to any good earth tones. My questions are these: Where can I reliably get American Buffalo leather in 8-10 oz? Is there a place to purchase S.B. Foot leather online and in small quantities? (My first big commission came from Red Wing Shoes, I've got a soft spot for the company.) Does anyone have an idea about the abrasion resistance of leathers? I've read that Chrome tanned leather has higher tolerances, but I'd like to stick with veg-tanned. Am I being too sentimental about the old-timey nonsense? Most of the cuts will be with a strap cutter, but I'll need to notch each piece of leather a few times. What would the optimum tool be for cutting a few 1"-2" straight lines? Head Knife? Shears? Alright, done babbling for now. I appreciate the help folks! Harvey

Hello Everyone, I am very new both here and to leatherworking. I was tasked with making a leather tote bag for my sister for christmas. It was the only thing she requested so I felt obligated to take a crack at my first bag. I used: 5oz Dublin Horween Chromexcel 8oz Buffalo for the straps Copper rivets 1mm Cigar Tiger thread all stitches hand punched and saddle stitched There was quite the learning curve with the designing and assembly of this bag, I already know of a few things (mostly surrounding order of operatioins) that I will do different. Any advise is welcome since I hope to improve to the level of the things I see here! Edit: These are the only pictures I have from the build process, I have asked my sister for some pictures of it after a few weeks of use but nothing yet.

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?

Hello, I am new to working with leather and have been having lots of problems cutting straight strips from my buffalo leather. I find that because this leather is kind of stretchy I am having problems getting everything really straight. I have tried using a metal ruler and a sharp knife as well as the leather strap cutter and just can't seem to get it right. If anyone has any tips and tricks to help me out that would be awesome.

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