Making Kangaroo Lace

[rickeyfro]

My question is this, what is the difference between lace made from a chrome tanned roo hide and a veg tanned one, I know there has to be something that would justify the veg tanned hide to cost almost 3 times what the chrome tanned one does, Ive made a couple of seats using boght roo lace and after using it everything else is in a whole nother league, im loving that stuff, but no way I can buy pre cut lace without taking a major bite out of profits. so Im thinking of getting one of those super slick lace machines, and buying a few hides and seeing how much lace I can get out of one. Rick

[tonyc1]

What does 'roo hide actually cost over there in the states?

Tony.

[rickeyfro]

The only place I really priced it was Ebay, from some guy in Australia, a chrome tanned hide abou 6.5 sq ft goes for around $30 and a veg tanned one the same size is around $80

[tonyc1]

But, does anybody import it and retail it in the states?

Tony.

[rickeyfro]

Im pretty sure Springfield Leather sells it. and Charles Hardke, maybe Sheridan Leather, but I really never priced it, just recently got interested.

[Spence]

I buy direct from Australia. Even with shipping, I get a hide for around US$50 less than I can buy here in the USA. And that's not counting the shipping charges here. Even the pre-cut lace is cheaper. I can add one or two spools of lace to the roo shipment without increasing the shipping charges.

[Ian]

My question is this, what is the difference between lace made from a chrome tanned roo hide and a veg tanned one, I know there has to be something that would justify the veg tanned hide to cost almost 3 times what the chrome tanned one does, Ive made a couple of seats using boght roo lace and after using it everything else is in a whole nother league, im loving that stuff, but no way I can buy pre cut lace without taking a major bite out of profits. so Im thinking of getting one of those super slick lace machines, and buying a few hides and seeing how much lace I can get out of one. Rick

Rick, if roo tanning and cowhide tanning is the same process, the veg tanning process can take 2-3 months, whereas chrome tanning takes just days. So, that's the reason for the big differece in price.

[pitman]

In this topic: Is anybody know good method to finish kangaroo lace after precutting ? I have 6 meters of good quality lace ana .. now what ? I don't like sharp edges ? What can I do with them ? May be someone could prepare little tuttorial ?

[Hedge]

In this topic: Is anybody know good method to finish kangaroo lace after precutting ? I have 6 meters of good quality lace ana .. now what ? I don't like sharp edges ? What can I do with them ? May be someone could prepare little tuttorial ?

Bevel the flesh side. The hair side edges will soften and blend in when you braid with it.

Hedge

[kevinhopkins]

Hi Rickey,

The time in tanning is the major reason for the cost difference. We used to bring in the skins with our lace, but it's gotten expensive and difficult. At the moment, it's illegal to import the hides from Australia, without a license from fish and wildlife dept in this country. anyone can get one for about 100 bucks. THen there are permits and fees that australia has to get for each and every shipment to this country. you might get lucky and avoid getting caught for a while, but sooner or later, someone in customs will check out the lace or the skins, and you'll have a problem. we've seen it happen countless times.

There are a number of various lace bevelers on the market, and most work fairly well. And you're right, there's nothing like veg tanned Roo lace. The chrome doesn't have the strength.

Kevin