Anybody Buy Roo From Australia

[roo4u]

hey all....

anybody ever buy roo from an australian supplier? specifically i was looking at the website from murphywhips and it looks like the roo would be alot cheaper than what im getting right now, even with shipping. what were your experiences and what should i know before i try it.

thanks

tracy

[Pepelimoco]

hey all....

anybody ever buy roo from an australian supplier? specifically i was looking at the website from murphywhips and it looks like the roo would be alot cheaper than what im getting right now, even with shipping. what were your experiences and what should i know before i try it.

thanks

tracy

[Pepelimoco]

hey all....

anybody ever buy roo from an australian supplier? specifically i was looking at the website from murphywhips and it looks like the roo would be alot cheaper than what im getting right now, even with shipping. what were your experiences and what should i know before i try it.

thanks

tracy

I buy all mine from Weaver in USA and do just fine. I found the price to be competitive. Watch out that you don't buy chrome tanned hide from Australia. It's cheaper but itt doesn't make good lace.

[King's X]

Try PMing 'Spence' member here. He is a member or our guild and only buys from Aust.

[roo4u]

pepelimoco---i used to buy from weaver...i started braiding show leashes about 10 years ago. at that time i bought all my roo from weaver. they sold drum stuffed roo from packer tannery. after a few years they suddently switched to a dry type hide which after using ds hides really felt like garbage. i called them and they didnt even know that the hides were different. i hate the dry hides you cant condition them and make them feel decent, and even after some use they still dont feel nice, they dont get that soft as butter feel. i would never buy chrome tanned. i buy only drum stuffed whip quality hides and if i need colors i dye my one...the only exception i make is i buy a white from hardtke that is called italian white it is a crusted roo hide and unlike other whites ive tried it doesnt discolor and is a bright white. i did figure out you can dye it and when used for purple or blue the colors just jump right out at you.

kings x ---thanks for the info ill pm him and see what he says

[entiendo]

I thought we all got our roo from Australia! Go figure. Where do you get yours?

My hides aren't cheep and they are usually dry. I like the dry hides. I like the color better and I think they do get softer and softer over time, at least that's my experience. I just run saddle soap over them and they really aren't much different than the drum stuffed to braid. I only buy unfinished though. I don't touch the finished hides anymore unless I have to. They have very nice color, so people seem to like them, but the wonderful kangaroo feel isn't there. I have to admit though, the drum stuffed hides are very nice to work with so I can understand why you seek them out.

I went and took a look at my last order. I paid 68.44 for a 58dm hide, not including shipping. Shipping starts around 25 for the first hide and goes down quickly from there.

I don't know how he compares with other suppliers. I looked everywhere when I first started braiding and he was the best price and he has lots of colors. I've always been happy so there has never been a reason to look elsewhere.

Chrome...YUCK...I do think they are OK if you are first learning. The string is stronger than cowhide and easier to work with than rawhide for practicing those buttons.

[roo4u]

entiendo....well ok i guess they do all come from aust. but i currently buy from a leather house, charles hardtke inc. and of course when you buy from them they are adding a significant markup. i paid 11.15/sq ft on the last ones i bought. with the exchange rate i figured that they are selling for about 8/sq ft from murphywhips. i really dont like the dry...i bought some real quality dry hides from davidmorgan a few years ago...but didnt like the feel.. the hides from weaver leather were not of the same quality and they were horrible. i tried everything to soften and nothing worked.

who are you buying from? murphywhips sells only drumstuffed whole hides as they are mostly a whip supply house and thats all they use for whips. drumstuffing reduces stretch and increases flexibility of the leather. it feels like butter as it ages.

[tonyc1]

hey all....

anybody ever buy roo from an australian supplier? specifically i was looking at the website from murphywhips and it looks like the roo would be alot cheaper than what im getting right now, even with shipping. what were your experiences and what should i know before i try it.

thanks

tracy

We're having pot roast 'roo for dinner tonight! Very Tasty.

Couldn't help it, sorry!

Tony.

[cem]

Have you tried Packer Leather directly www.packerleather.com.au and http://www.packerdirect.com.au/Home.aspx I haven't bought any lace for awhile so aren't sure what their prices are like compared to the others.

[rcsaddles]

Hi Tracy,

Try Paul at www.midwestwhips.com He has the best price I have found on rro hides and is very knowledgable about the different tanning processes. I go to him whenever I need any roo. Check out the lace cutter he has also.