Wallet making help.

[Blitz Thunderlungs]

So, I want to get into wallet making. My plan is an 8 oz veg tan outside that I tool. What is a good cheap (Not Genuine leather) thin leather to cut the individual card pockets and interior of the wallet out of. Want thin so the wallet can close easily. Basically I don't understand all the leather cuts and terms. What's the cheap thin cut of chrome tan, or is there something better I should use? (asking all you wallet makers out there.)

[DieselTech]

Kangaroo is probably the best, but expensive.

I use 2oz vegtan leather for my card pockets. 

[BlackDragon]

8oz is pretty think for a wallet. 

 I would go with 5oz, it will still tool but you'll have to use a lighter hand. For the interior I use either 2/3oz vegtan or English bridle.

 

When tooling remember to use blue painters tape on the flesh side so help minimize stretching.

[Mablung]

2 oz. calfskin is a decent choice for interiors as well.  Also not as cheap as regular cowhide, but it's cheaper than kangaroo.

[HandyDave]

I use 4/5 oz for my outsides. 8 will make a thick wallet like has been said. Just got to be easy with carving tooling so you don't blow right through. I use 2/3oz veg tan for my inside pockets. 

[TonyV]

I use 1/2 oz calf or pig for the inside pockets.  As stated above, 4/5 oz for the outside needs a gentle hand for carving.  Suggest carving a few practice panels to get the hang of it before building a whole wallet.

[JLSleather]

What type of wallet?  

Starters, 8 oz is WAY heavy for something supposed to fit in a pocket.  As a rule, I use 3/4 oz for tooled wallets... and might go up to a 4/5 for larger pocketbook type thingies for the girls to hand hold or drop in a bag.

As for the liners, good tips already on here.  Calf, goat, kangaroo,... in about 1.5/2 oz is good.  If I'm doing a wallet with multiple card pockets - like 6 er more, I like to use FABRIC behind a goat "face".  It's more sewing, but never a complaint

For illustration ....

These "chaylor finnelly" prefab interiors used to be sold at SLC, don't know if they still are.  One of the few things they sell down there worth it's cost, the ones I've used were quite nice.  The one below, I tooled a 3/4 oz leather back, and then laced in the PRE MADE pockets as one assembly.

[Northmount]

As mentioned in a couple posts above, pig skin is great for liners and pockets too.  It is tough and durable.

If you are making lots of card slots that overlap, any leather starts to get thick, so as above, fabric works well too, though not as durable as leathers.  I have used coated polyester.  It lasts between 5 and 10 years when carried in your back pocket every day.