Is there a reasonably priced leather supplier recommendation

[dannyd]

I use Tandy, Springfield and Weaver.  It's going to depend more on the project and if it's for you or sale.   I do leather work for fun and give away what I make or throw it in a box and move to the next project.

If your just starting out and want to learn nothing wrong with Tandy been using their leather for almost 40 years and have belts and holsters most people could not tell the difference between Tandy and Herman Oaks. 

I do like Herman Oaks and it's definitely very good leather tools good again it's depends on what your doing.

Give Springfield Leather a call nice people to talk to and see what they have on sale.

[Mulligan31]

All thanks For the input and guidance. I will check out the various recommendations. This is probably a naive question but what causes the quality difference between for instance a Tandy 4/5 oz veg tan and a Herman 4/5 oz vegtan  

[tsunkasapa]

My guess would be how the hide is treated before tanning. Also the ingredients used in the tanning. I had double shoulder from Tandy that smelled like piss when it was wet.

[Mulligan31]

Really. So it’s fair to say there is a meaningful difference in the quality and this isn’t just a matter of preference. I will have to get some different stuff and see. The problem with starting out is the waste. 

[Burkhardt]

On 11/16/2022 at 4:10 PM, Mulligan31 said:

Really. So it’s fair to say there is a meaningful difference in the quality and this isn’t just a matter of preference. I will have to get some different stuff and see. The problem with starting out is the waste. 

If you're looking for the cheapest option go to Springfield leather and get a few bags of the scrap leather(veg). You can get different weights and also a mix of Herman Oak and import so you can tell the difference. Don't be fooled into thinking there's not usable sized pieces because there are. Also get a leather gauge ($4.00) so you can tell the different weights and what works best for ordering in the future. 

[DJole]

On 11/16/2022 at 2:10 PM, Mulligan31 said:

Really. So it’s fair to say there is a meaningful difference in the quality and this isn’t just a matter of preference. I will have to get some different stuff and see. The problem with starting out is the waste. 

Use the cheap leather for learning on. Practice the things you want to do later on -- stitching, tooling, dyeing, etc.  Give away (or scrap bin) the projects that didn't quite work.

You should know also that many leather suppliers will sell you a piece of leather cut to a certain size, and even skive it to a certain thickness for you. So if you need a 12 X 12 inch piece of 4 oz. leather, for example, it's much more affordable to get a luxury leather panel in that size than to buy a whole hide. 

[BuckeyeJack]

I have been buying some panels from Buckleguy just to venture out into some leathers I don't have. Also, if someone wants something in a color I don't have, I'll check the panels first as to not buy a side of something that may sit along time. You can also buy seconds panels from them. Cut from the parts of a side where there may be defects. I use these all the time as these "defects" add character.....

Also, welcome from another Ohioan!

[Gezzer]

Can't add much but I get most of mine from SLC and I think I have had 1 maybe 2 pieces of HO , most of what I use is just fine for practice .  I try and look at cost like I do ammunition for the other hobby , doesn't seem to sting quite as bad.

[DaveP]

Buy direct from Wickett & Craig in PA.

[dannyd]

50 minutes ago, DaveP said:

Buy direct from Wickett & Craig in PA.

Just called them nice people.