How To Make A Suede Like Texture ?

[Chef niloc]

I'm trying to get a suede texture on veg tanned horse straps. I tried a belt sander and got eggghh uneven results. So far the best results I have gotten is by casing the leather 1st than using a card scraper and brass wire brush. Just checking to see if anyone knows a better way/ proper way to do this? I know that tanners use big shaving, stacking, and carding type machines to do this type of work but how was it done back in the day before those big factory machines? I was thinking maybe a curriers knife might be the right tool for the job?

[Tree Reaper]

I glue and stitch suede to the back of veg leather.

[Chef niloc]

Im trying to make suede texture on horsehide, like the look and feel of a straght razor strop.

[pabloz]

Colin,

I have done it two ways....both equally successful.

The easiest is to use a random orbital sander w/a PSA foam back & 50 grit disk....the next is a 3x7 drywall foam sanding pad and lots of elbo grease. Adjust the grit to your liking.

PZ