Wickett&craig Leather Grades.

[billymac814]

Thanks everyone. I'm not really price chasing at all. If the difference between 1 and 3 is 1.50ft Id go with the best everytime. But when it's half the cost it got me thinking. My thought was if it's only range marks that if I can work around them then it's basically the same with a little extra waste. If the grain and everything is different I'm not really interested. It sounds like I need to just order one and try it. If it doesn't work I can use it for something I'm sure.

[billymac814]

Also I've dealt with Linda before and have no complaints so I probably will stick with her unless someone thinks Id have better luck with someone else.

[Art]

That is not what I said. I said a particular cut, the back, which is designed for cutting straps would be a little wasteful for a holster maker, a side would probably be better. Harness backs from W&C or Sedgwick are beautiful pieces of leather and anything made from them will look fantastic.

Art

I disagree with the comment that quality leather is wasted on a holster maker. There's novices on the concealed carry forums who notice the difference in the quality of leather used in a holster. I think the project and the purpose should determine the grade of leather.

[LeatherCaptain]

That is not what I said. I said a particular cut, the back, which is designed for cutting straps would be a little wasteful for a holster maker, a side would probably be better. Harness backs from W&C or Sedgwick are beautiful pieces of leather and anything made from them will look fantastic.

Art

Actually, that's all I order are backs. It's just a nicer finish overall because you are working with a tighter grain. A side is simply the addition of the belly. But, the lower end of the back does start to get a bit stretchy. The higher portions of the back, especially near the rear take a nicer finish and will glass even better than the lower parts of a side. It seems to take more effort to mold the higher end of a back as compared to a belly piece as well.

I know you have decades more experience than me but I still disagree that a quality back is a waste on a holster maker. A nice side of bridal leather may be a waste. But, I have yet to try it and no one here seems to have any input on the subject.

So, I may have misread your statement that a quality piece of bridle leather may be a waste but, I got the overall impression that you're suggesting a holster maker need not worry himself about using quality leather because it doesn't matter. To that, I disagree. The quality of the leather you're working with comes out regardless of the application.