What to expect from AB graded leather

[JoelR]

I ordered my first double-shoulder from Springfield a few weeks ago and am just getting around to using it. I took advantage of their current Bargain Roundup Double shoulder (http://www.springfieldleather.com/storefro...?idcategory=479) At 3.99/sqft it seemed like a good way to get into some leather that is better than the Tandy I had used previously. Upon unrolling it, I noticed that there appears to be scratch marks all through the center portion of the leather. I thought nothing of it thinking they were simply superficial until I cut my belt strips. They are not superficial and essentially take out 2/3 of the leather as usable. Is this common with AB grade? Do I really need to go to A and above to get usable shoulders for belts?

[Art]

Hi Joel,

If you are talking HO or WC (although I have not seen much in the way of shoulders from HO lately) the difference between A or 1 and B or 2 and AB (or 1.5?) is not a lot. If you have a ton of unusable leather out of an AB hide, I would call Kevin immediately, even if you have cut up the hide, call him. I would however, be using backs or sides to cut straps or belts, for any number of reasons, but a shoulder should be serviceable for belts. It is important to tell the vendor what you are expecting from the hide and it's use, and your experience level and expectations so they can pick the "right" hide for you. I expect 10% waste in a hide and sometimes when using shoulders I have bought at a good price I might experience 20% or more. I use shoulders for holsters and can pretty much work around any imperfections or put them in an "unseen" part like a skirt. With belts, you are pretty much all out front so you need good clean hides and your supplier needs to know that. Your leather supplier is just as important to the project as your skills are. Call Kevin.

Art

I ordered my first double-shoulder from Springfield a few weeks ago and am just getting around to using it. I took advantage of their current Bargain Roundup Double shoulder (http://www.springfieldleather.com/storefro...?idcategory=479) At 3.99/sqft it seemed like a good way to get into some leather that is better than the Tandy I had used previously. Upon unrolling it, I noticed that there appears to be scratch marks all through the center portion of the leather. I thought nothing of it thinking they were simply superficial until I cut my belt strips. They are not superficial and essentially take out 2/3 of the leather as usable. Is this common with AB grade? Do I really need to go to A and above to get usable shoulders for belts?

[JoelR]

Thanks for the info Art. I hope I didn't come across as bashing Springfield as that was not my intent. I just don't know enough to know what I don't know. Stating that 2/3 is unusable is probably exagerating. I have some flesh-side-out IWB holsters this was primarily to be used for and it should still work if I seal the hair side before sewing it all together. Not having worked with but one other piece of leather (Tandy belly) I really didn't know what to expect or really look for.I had initially thought the light lines I was seeing were simply minor bunching from having the leather rolled up. But they are definately scratches and do go through just the very surface of the hide.I'll give Kevin a call and see if I can learn a thing-or-two more.

Edited July 28, 2009 by JoelR

[JoelR]

I got a chance to talk to Kevin, and as expected he was a stand-up guy. He's replacing the hide. I'll make sure that next time I order a hide I call the order in and give them the info Art suggested.

[JoelR]

Just wanted to follow through with this thread to it's completion.

Kevin sent a new double shoulder as promised with a postage-paid return sticker for the old and a personalized note. New skin is exactly what I would have expected from an A/B graded skin. Couple of minor imperfections but lots of very nice leather. The leather takes water very well, cuts beautifully, and has a good stiffness to it. Thanks Kevin!