Cutting a whole hide

[DieselTech]

Guys & gals I got a hide from Conceria Walpier from Italy. Its 5oz pebble finished leather. In the color whiskey. 

My question is. What would be the best way to cut this hide. I would like to cut some belt blanks out of it for dress belts. 

But the main reason i got it was for wallets. 

Can somebody help or be willing to share a bit of advice. I know straight down the back makes the best belts, or so they say. 

Thanks. Any & all help will be appreciated.

[fredk]

Assuming;

Cut a large section(s) down the centre for your belts. Don't cut individual straps but a section from which you can cut straps, say, 15 to 18 in wide. Then cut whats left in to 12 to 15 in wide strips. This should bring you close to the belly and thinner leather. Then you can cut your wallets from this. Hang up the long strips out of the way and cut them into belts as and when needed

[DieselTech]

24 minutes ago, fredk said:

Assuming;

Cut a large section(s) down the centre for your belts. Don't cut individual straps but a section from which you can cut straps, say, 15 to 18 in wide. Then cut whats left in to 12 to 15 in wide strips. This should bring you close to the belly and thinner leather. Then you can cut your wallets from this. Hang up the long strips out of the way and cut them into belts as and when needed

Thanks. That is kinda how I was visioning it. But I can only get 52" belt blanks from this hide. I should of had them sort me out a longer hide. 

Now I'm wondering if it's worth me cutting any belt blanks out of it. This leather sure would make a nice lined belt. It's nice stuff. It's hard to believe how consistent it is. In thickness & in feel.  

This is Conceria Walpier Dollaro if anybody is wanting to know exactly what it is. 

Thanks. 

Edited February 2, 2024 by DieselTech

[fredk]

Just make belts for skinny people   

If you cut at an angle perhaps you can gain a few more inches

[NatesLeatherGds]

36 minutes ago, fredk said:

Just make belts for skinny people   

 

^ yes - plenty of people in those smaller sizes. Nice hide, btw.

[JLSleather]

1 hour ago, fredk said:

Just make belts for skinny people   

If you cut at an angle perhaps you can gain a few more inches

that's what I was thinkin' too.  as a rule, i cut strips 10" longer than the waist size.  And by waist size, I mean what they actuall measure, not what they SAY they are.  Even at 52", that's a 42 belt, which is a LOT of us.

[DieselTech]

59 minutes ago, NatesLeatherGds said:

^ yes - plenty of people in those smaller sizes. Nice hide, btw.

Thanks I appreciate it. Yeah it is some of the nicest leather that I have handled. 

1 hour ago, fredk said:

Just make belts for skinny people   

If you cut at an angle perhaps you can gain a few more inches

I'll look into that & see if I can gain some length. 

[DieselTech]

33 minutes ago, JLSleather said:

that's what I was thinkin' too.  as a rule, i cut strips 10" longer than the waist size.  And by waist size, I mean what they actuall measure, not what they SAY they are.  Even at 52", that's a 42 belt, which is a LOT of us.

Yeah this stuff is nice & firm & has absolutely no stretch by hand. It should make awesome wallets & lined dress belts.