Branding Marks

[Handstitched]

When I buy my   VT shoulders or butts,  theres often a branding mark .  I do try to chose my leathers to purchase  carefully, I  sometimes used to reject the hides with marks on them( depending where the mark is) .  I use these leathers for belts and I used to  work or cut  around them for plain belts, or, depending on the project ,  they might  be  able to be stamped or carved  over. Not any more .  With the advent  of crap  CNN ( Cheap N Nasty)  "leather" belts on the market, and  so many people keep asking me  if they are  real leather  at my stall (they  also sniff them, bend em'  etc) . , I've decided to keep them in as proof its the real  thing. And as  far as I know , you don't get branding marks on synthetic belts. 

Of course, you wouldn't keep a branding mark on  a bag or case etc or on   a large coverage . , or  especially on a clients order. But on a plain belt ?? 

Thoughts ?? 

HS

[fredk]

3 minutes ago, Handstitched said:

Of course, you wouldn't keep a branding mark on  a bag or case etc or on   a large coverage . , or  especially on a clients order. 

oh no? At one time I used to make shoulder bags out of upholstery leather. I'd bought several Kgs of it as off-cuts 

Anyway, a woman asked me to make a shoulder bag for her. I rootled through my stock looking for some nice stuff when she spotted a nice coloured piece with a large scar on it, The scar was about 6 inches long with a real ugly edge to it. She wanted that piece as the front of the bag. After finding out what it was, in her opinion, 1. it was unique,  and 2. only real leather would have it

[tsunkasapa]

Here in ranch country, I get asked to put all that into the project. Folks that raise cattle know how those get there.

 

[ArkieNewbie]

I would definitely put a big brand on the front or back of a bag or brief case if the customer liked it. I love the character!

As far as your belts, as long as the brand doesn't create a weak spot, I see no reason at all that you shouldn't include the brands. 

[GrampaJoel]

1 hour ago, ArkieNewbie said:

I would definitely put a big brand on the front or back of a bag or brief case if the customer liked it. I love the character!

As far as your belts, as long as the brand doesn't create a weak spot, I see no reason at all that you shouldn't include the brands. 

I agree completely. ^^^^^^^
On raw everyday wear, just plain old nothing fancy belts, or even non fancy wallets or bags, I think it adds a bit of ‘intrigue’ to the item,,,and as the OP eludes….
       A bit of authenticity verifying real leather.

Joel

 

Edited September 14, 2023 by GrampaJoel

[Handstitched]

I stand corrected   and so they stay  well and truly in 

14 hours ago, fredk said:

1. it was unique,  and 2. only real leather would have it

Agreed  

HS

[Heartless]

On 9/14/2023 at 6:58 AM, Handstitched said:

you wouldn't keep a branding mark on  a bag or case etc or on   a large coverage

actually, yes, you can keep it - it gives the item a special character that it wouldn't otherwise have. Aaron of Maker's Leather Supply frequently uses them as accents for a bag he is making. It is all about how you view them, tbh.. you can view them as undesirable, or you can view them as an asset, something totally unique to that particular bag.

I have a side right now that has not just one, but TWO different branding marks - one on the hind quarters, one on the shoulder... just need to decide how i want to use them.

[fredk]

1 hour ago, Heartless said:

I have a side right now that has not just one, but TWO different branding marks - one on the hind quarters, one on the shoulder... just need to decide how i want to use them.

Sounds like a bit of cattle rustling went on  

[Northmount]

32 minutes ago, fredk said:

Sounds like a bit of cattle rustling went on  

I have a "horse of a different colour" as the old saying goes.  When I was a teenager, I bought a horse from the Blood Reserve (natives).  He had a lazy B on the right shoulder as that was an identifier for the Blood Reserve, and a 121 on the right hip signifying the native who had owned it.

So 2 brands, but only 1 previous owner.  I would also guess that sometimes cattle were re-branded when sold to a different ranch/owner, though I hadn't seen any such cases in my few years around cattle, farms, and ranches as a teen.

 

[chuck123wapati]

i use em folks like the look here.