Where To Buy Leather?

[Norwegian]

I am also looking out for a place to buy leather, and first and foremost from USA. The reason is the horrible prices here in Sweden, you'll have to pay more than double the prices you have there, for the exact same type of hides (Herman Oak for example). Then there's postage too, and it's not much cheaper to pay for postage inside Sweden, than it is to order from abroad. Sick, really. I know.

So, does anyone have any recommendations about what company/companies I should order from, that handles international orders well? I am thinking about ordering from Springfield Leather right now, I have heard nothing but kind words about them. I'll probably order like +25 sq. feet of leather, maybe even double that for a starter, depending on the conditions. I would want some standard cheapest possible shipping alternative, as delivery time is less important than price for me at the moment. I really would like to get a trustworthy and smooth working source to buy leather from, as I'll most likely start to order quite regularly ahead. Some retailers seems to have a problem to deliver internationally due to tax and custom issues, but again - some doesn't make an issue about that.

Hi!

You can always use www.jetcarrier.com for shipping to Sweden.. It's cheap, they handle tax and custom, and you can buy leather from any supplier in the US, because you get your own "post adress" in New Jersey. Don't have to think about who ships internationally or not.. I use jetcarrier for shipping truck parts for my US trucks here in Norway. It's fast and cheap, you can choose boat or air.. BUT remember, the customs in Sweden will most likely add a good piece of "tull och moms" on the leather when you import from the US..

Since you are lucky enough to live in a EU country, I guess you can import from Germany without "tull och moms"? Have a look at http://www.heidelber...er.de/index.htm, maybe they can help you, not sure about their prices though..

Rik

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Skald,

could this be a business opportunity for you? Maybe start a small leather supply company?

Remember, it wasn't the miners who made the money during the 49'er gold rush in California, it was the merchants that sold the supplies to the miners.

[billymac814]

100 dollars for a side doesn't seem all that expensive to me really. I'm assuming that is not #1 grade? I get all my leather from Wickett& Craig, they have thier special sides which is the #3 and it's very nice, it's usually 90 and they'll split it to any thickness. I've not had a reason to try anything else yet and they are not only in the USA but local to me and there's no minimum other than a side. If your just practicing though a rem pack would be fine, but you won't really make much more than fancy scraps. I'd go right for the side beyond that, just get #3 grade. I bought my first piece at Tandy and it wasn't that big or nice and it was 70 bucks, I couldve had a whole side for 20 bucks more and it would have been American.

I always got #1 from W&C, my last order I got one#3 and one #1 and was very suprised at how very little difference there was except a huge difference in price.

[Skald]

Thanks to all of you for your ideas and suggestions, much appreciated.

Skald,

could this be a business opportunity for you? Maybe start a small leather supply company?

Remember, it wasn't the miners who made the money during the 49'er gold rush in California, it was the merchants that sold the supplies to the miners.

Actually, when I and my father was looking through some Swedish mailorder companies for leather supplies, and compared their prices to the ones abroad, we could clearly see that there would certainly be room for "competition". Sweden should really have some decent alternative too, ordering from abroad shouldn't be necessary, just to avoid paying more than double the price. My father is already running a business quite closely connected to this, so maybe I could encourage him to take a close look at this opportunity.

[Norwegian]

Thanks to all of you for your ideas and suggestions, much appreciated.

Actually, when I and my father was looking through some Swedish mailorder companies for leather supplies, and compared their prices to the ones abroad, we could clearly see that there would certainly be room for "competition". Sweden should really have some decent alternative too, ordering from abroad shouldn't be necessary, just to avoid paying more than double the price. My father is already running a business quite closely connected to this, so maybe I could encourage him to take a close look at this opportunity.

Intresserade framtida kunder finns det iallafall!

[Thijzzz]

Bit of an old post but I'll second joquarter's remarks:

- Boomsma.nl is pretty good, I used to mail order from them but visited them 2 days ago. Family run business who really take the time for you and have a lot in store: leather, tools, chemicals you name it. Everywhere I looked I got the "I want that, and that...and that!"-feeling.

- Lederhandel Berten: I ordered 1 hide from them some time ago, little cheaper than Boomsma. I requested pictures of the hide and they even sent it to me, while they were moving to a new location. So pretty good service there and a good hide.

You could also contact Martin Swinkels to ask for a good adress: http://martinsheaths.blogspot.com/

Regards,

Thijs

Edited June 11, 2011 by Thijzzz