DaveJohnson Report post Posted June 30, 2010 I'm based in France and am currently looking around for local suppliers - I have not yet tried any local product and have been getting supplies form Tandy in UK. During one of my recent country trips, I came across a tiny tannery and took down the contact details - everyone was on lunch between 12 and 2pm - C'est Ca - it's the way it is. Anyway wrote to the owner and explained what I needed in the way of veg tan leather for tooling. A few weeks later I received an envelope with ten or so 2 inch square pieces of leather in various finishes and colours among which was a product called Natural - 8,5% Fatted. At first I thought that this would not take water and hence be of no use - but it had a good look and feel. Yesterday I pulled out the pieces again and gave the Natural stuff a lick - and found that it absorbed "spit" - so dunked the two pieces I had in water and tooled an oak leaf on one and stamped a basket weave on the other -- hey this stuf works real good - swivel knife slides easy and clean and it takes and keeps the shape when tooled. Once it dries I'll see how it takes Eco-flow dye and finish. Has anyone else ever used a "fatted" leather - is it common in the USA ? I think I'm going to order a side and see how it works on a bigger project, but I'd be interested to know from you guys if you have any experience with it and what the longterm wear and ability to keep shape is. Thanks Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King's X Report post Posted June 30, 2010 Dave: Welcome to the forum! Glad to hear that another French countryman has joined us. A good friend of mine who uses the name "Pino" on here lives in Cannes. He also has a hard time finding leather and has to order from the UK. If you have any contact informaiton for this supplier; I am sure he would be very happy. As for the leather, I would like to see pictures of your work on this type of leather since I do not have any experience with such leather. I would like to know from the tannery what their process is (good luck) and why they call it by that name (probably will be easier). Pino tells me that he cannot even get such suppliers and/or craftsman to talk with him about suppliers in the area. This should help him out very much! Good luck and thanks for posting! Remember, pictures! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaveJohnson Report post Posted July 1, 2010 Sorry about not putting up pics - done in a rush yesterday and and travelling today - when I'm back I'll take some pics and also colour and finish the pieces and then post all. I've also heard of a few other small tanneries in the South and South West of France plus Vic in Spain, which is the centre of the Spanish leather tanning industry, is not far from me - I'll check them all out in the next few weeks and let your friend know too. Yeah it is difficult getting info out of other craftsmen here - they think you gonna steal there business and then there the "etranger" (stranger) factor too. But they soften eventually and most become quite helpful eventually - I've been here two years and people in the village I stay are only starting to accept me now. But hey it's a great place and the safety and security aspect beats the hell out of South Africa were I lived before. Cheers Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horsewreck Report post Posted July 3, 2010 Dave, I'm just guessing here but the leather you found might be something like what some tanners call "western bridle". The leather is a Veg. tan with a small amount of oils or tallow added to the product. This product is dry enough to take on water and can be wet formed somewhat and some of it does tool well though it is designed for tack strap goods mostly..... Jeff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
