Chap Leather

[KayleeC]

Hey my mom is a leather worker and has made rodeo chaps before but not working chaps.  I’m wanting to start making working chaps like Texas bell style with the thick leather where they could almost stand on their own if you stood them up right. I can’t seem to find suede any thicker than 4-4.5 weight and I just don’t feel like that’s what I’m looking for.  I especially can’t seem to find it in a variety of colors, if I can it’s like 3 shades of brown to choose from.  I’ve looked on hide house, weaver, Tandy and Springfield.  Where are y’all getting the heavier more course suede that you can’t grab a handful of and wrinkle it? 
Below I have an example of the style I’m looking to do and that leather looks like the kind I want. 

https://teskeys.com/products/gerry-gesell-jaquima-to-freno-chaps?variant=40006646300735&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA9IC6BhA3EiwAsbltOGFVQTiiZjFcOtSDcAKiF0yqmyC_P7R7FBkuXOigQ8DTaFSlTcCcBBoC9jkQAvD_BwE

[Northmount]

20 hours ago, KayleeC said:

I can’t seem to find suede any thicker than 4-4.5 weight and I just don’t feel like that’s what I’m looking for.

Look at various types of splits.  Heavy, lots of colours.

 

[jrdunn]

23 hours ago, KayleeC said:

Hey my mom is a leather worker and has made rodeo chaps before but not working chaps.  I’m wanting to start making working chaps like Texas bell style with the thick leather where they could almost stand on their own if you stood them up right. I can’t seem to find suede any thicker than 4-4.5 weight and I just don’t feel like that’s what I’m looking for.  I especially can’t seem to find it in a variety of colors, if I can it’s like 3 shades of brown to choose from.  I’ve looked on hide house, weaver, Tandy and Springfield.  Where are y’all getting the heavier more course suede that you can’t grab a handful of and wrinkle it? 
Below I have an example of the style I’m looking to do and that leather looks like the kind I want. 

https://teskeys.com/products/gerry-gesell-jaquima-to-freno-chaps?variant=40006646300735&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA9IC6BhA3EiwAsbltOGFVQTiiZjFcOtSDcAKiF0yqmyC_P7R7FBkuXOigQ8DTaFSlTcCcBBoC9jkQAvD_BwE

Kaylee,  I'm not positive but I believe  that most if not all of Gerry's chaps are made from top grain (I think that is the right term) leather.  It still has the smooth side on it.  They just "turn" it roughout.  In fact, I think most of the ones on the "Teskey's" page use roughout on the main leggings and use the same leather smooth out on yokes and decorations for contrast.  All I know is this is how I'd do it as well as most of the people I know who make them.  JM2C, Jim

Edited November 23, 2024 by jrdunn

[TomE]

This shoeing apron is made from 7/8 oz apron split from Beiler's. This is a heavy apron but the client is happy with it.