DIY Straps for Running/Keeper loops for collars or belts - splitting yours vs. buying thinner leather

[LakeOtter]

Hi and thanks in advance for specific advice re: making keeper loops for collars or belts from veg tan.

I don't have a splitter and just have bought veg tan 8-9oz. leather, 9-10oz., 2-3oz., maybe some 3-4oz. again soon.

I assumed I would just use stock thin leather for a keeper loop for nice dog collars I'm trying to get serious about.

In preliminary playing around, I noticed that the thin veg tan leather I have is noticeably softer than even Herman Oak thick stuff skived thin, experimentally with a knife.

Is this an extra reason to have, at least, a small strap splitter?

I mean, I guess I can wet my stock thin veg tan and dry it a few times to firm it up a bit, dye, crease or even stitch it and it will firm the end resulting loop up a  bit.

But I guess I'm realizing if I had a splitter I could use the exact same grain leather, a bit stiffer and, even, the same hue if it made a difference with light dye.

Any thoughts confirming or denying the validity of this thinking is appreciated.

Thanks!

Jeff in Silver Springs, FL

 

[bruce johnson]

In a word - yes. With a splitter you can split down the heavier leather to have keepers that are the same tannage and color of the strap. When I was doing production belts I made loop stock from the piece I cut off straightening the side at the top. I cut all my belts down to the "break" in the side. On the remainder of the side I made one or two passes with a strap cutter in the mid area between the top of the flanks for more loop stock. 

   My loop stock from the top was usually firm and good. From the lower hide i cased it heavy and used a slicker to run some stretch out of it before I cut the stock to final width down there. Stitch the ends (didn't have a loop stapler then) and slide them on a loop stick and tapped them to square them up and then leave them to dry in the rectangular shape.