Is the veg tan tooling leather sold at "ST Leather" any good?

[jasonsmith]

I was looking around for Fiebing's Pro Oil Dye in black in 32 ounce and came across the 'ST Leather' website: https://stleather.com/

I see that they have veg tooling leather, A grade, cut in square feet priced at $5.50 – $7.99 depending on the weight.

Website: https://stleather.com/product/tooling-cowhide-craftsman-natual-side-a-grade-sold-by-sqft/

Anyone buy from here? Is this good quality leather for tooling and dying, or is it junk leather?

I was thinking of maybe buying some dye there and grab some extra square feet of tooling leather for cheap.

Thanks

Edited December 7, 2023 by jasonsmith

[TomE]

I have been to the ST-Leather shop/warehouse in Saint Louis a handful of times.  It is a warehouse crammed full of an entertaining mix of tools, supplies, and leather.  Some name brand items (CS Osborne, Fiebings, Hermann Oak) and other generic low quality stuff.  I view it as a bargain hunter's outlet.  I have purchased several sides of HO veg tan that were fine, but I picked them out in person.  Their imported leather looked on par with what I see at Tandy.  The leather is kept in a large room that is not climate controlled - humid in summer, cold in the winter.  I did buy some bonded nylon thread a few years ago that came apart and frayed in my machine - perhaps the bonding agent deteriorated with age.  They refunded my money for the unused spools.  Most everything else I've purchased (in person) from ST-Leather has met my expectations.  Not high end, but serviceable stuff.  Nonetheless, I make the 3 hour drive to Springfield Leather to purchase most of my leather because they have a larger inventory of HO leather to look at.   

[jasonsmith]

One thing that kind of concerns me is their fine print. Lots of weird disclaimers and things that I generally don't see. i.e. if your items are damaged during shipment, then they say you are on your own and you'd have to contact the shipping company. Which generally isn't the way that works. As the shipper is the one who has to file a claim or whatever. That's assuming there is insurance on the shipment.

So, if I were to order a quart of dye, and it arrived smashed and leaking because it was packed poorly. Then I guess you'd have to contact the shipping company to see if they'd be willing to do anything. Though, I say they'd tell you to contact the shipper, which ST Leather already says that you'd be the one to have to contact the shipping company.

Have read of some reviews of people getting things damaged during shipment because items were packed poorly. May just skip them, though was interested to see if their $6 a square foot of veg tan was either junk or a good deal.

[Burkhardt]

8 hours ago, TomE said:

I have been to the ST-Leather shop/warehouse in Saint Louis a handful of times.  It is a warehouse crammed full of an entertaining mix of tools, supplies, and leather.  Some name brand items (CS Osborne, Fiebings, Hermann Oak) and other generic low quality stuff.  I view it as a bargain hunter's outlet.  I have purchased several sides of HO veg tan that were fine, but I picked them out in person.  Their imported leather looked on par with what I see at Tandy.  The leather is kept in a large room that is not climate controlled - humid in summer, cold in the winter.  I did buy some bonded nylon thread a few years ago that came apart and frayed in my machine - perhaps the bonding agent deteriorated with age.  They refunded my money for the unused spools.  Most everything else I've purchased (in person) from ST-Leather has met my expectations.  Not high end, but serviceable stuff.  Nonetheless, I make the 3 hour drive to Springfield Leather to purchase most of my leather because they have a larger inventory of HO leather to look at.   

Since you have been and go to SLC, have you tried or have any experience with the Renia black dye yet?