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Just recently finished and shipped this bag out to it's new owner to be used and enjoyed. Happy to hear any thoughts. It's W&C dark brown English bridle leather 8-9 ounce, gussets I split down on my old dixon splitter (I really want a bell skiver, it will be my next purchase) It's all hand cut and saddle stitched with dyed burnished and waxed edges, solid brass hardware from Buckleguy.com (love them), leather I ordered from the Hide House in Napa, their customer service is awesome and they're close to me so shipping is super fast. Solid copper rivets. Leather wrapped aluminum reinforcement bar under flap. Not in the pictures is a small luggage strap that goes from the top d-rings around a slide out carry on handle for traveling. My work can also be seen on instagram or facebook as HideGear Detail Album

Hey guys and gals, I have been ordering from Wickett & Craig for years now and I know that many consider them to be the best leather tannery/supplier out there, I was one of them. I used to get good quality backs from them when I was ordering the skirting in the russet color but since switching to the drum dyed black and brown backs I have been disappointed in the overall quality on almost every order. This is what I have been ordering: SKIRTING BACK - STD GRADE, 12 OZ. LEVELED, HOLSTER, REFINISH, PASTE On my last order I paid $9.45 s/f and I always order the standard grade which is the best available. I talked to Glenn a couple of times about my disappointment in the quality and even offered to pay more (gulp!!!) if I had to to get a more consistent and higher quality. He assured me that they would up their game but that didn't seem to happen. Even though these are top quality backs I typically have at least 30% waste due to scars, spots, stretch marks, soft belly areas, fibrous flesh side areas, spongey areas (despite paying extra for holstering), scratches, marks, etc. This is their best grade? Unfortunately I can't switch to another supplier because I need the hides to be 12 oz. and leveled and I know of no one else who offers that. Many years ago I used to order from Hermann Oak and I got great quality so I know what nice leather looks/feels like. Unfortunately my last order from them was pretty bad and I had to return it - the black pre-dyed color I requested was actually a grayish purple and the overall quality was pretty poor. Hermann Oak is no longer an option for me. So here are a few questions, especially for those who use W&C on a regular basis: 1) Isn't that much waste on a standard (best) grade back excessive? 2) Are they maybe sending me a lesser grade because I'm ordering the drum dyed black/brown darker color? 3) Would I just be better off going back to ordering in the russet color and dyeing it myself? I really don't want to do this because of health and time issues and it's difficult for me to get the color as consistent as the drum dyed. 4) What is your experience with the quality of their drum dyed backs or backs in general? I know they are capable of making a good product but don't know what else I can do to get them to send me consistent brown/black backs. I am not a high quantity buyer but that should not really be a factor in my humble opinion. Maybe it is though? I'm not trying to bash W&C by any means, I'm just pretty frustrated at this point to be honest. Any feedback or advice would be greatly appreciated!