Wickett And Craig Vs. Hermann Oak

[colbyj]

Hello Everyone,

I just got my first sides of WC today and it seems like there is something different about the casing process than the HO. I cant seem to get the WC leather cased right to carve and tool. Am I missing something? Does anyone else have any experience when switching from HO to WC? Thanks so much in advance.

Colby

[Spinner]

Hello Everyone,

I just got my first sides of WC today and it seems like there is something different about the casing process than the HO. I cant seem to get the WC leather cased right to carve and tool. Am I missing something? Does anyone else have any experience when switching from HO to WC? Thanks so much in advance.

Colby

I actually went the other way (WC to HO) and there is a significant difference. HO has a much firmer temper than WC and takes about twice as long to case properly than WC does. WC is also typically lighter in color than HO so you want to wait until it returns to it's true color versus the russet that you're used to with HO.

Long story short, use a little less water/time than you would with HO and it should work fine.

Chris

[Kcinnick]

I think HO is heads and shoulders about W&C as far as my needs. I have never carved leather, but the HO takes my makers mark much better, and holds it shape much better when I make holsters. I am using the remaining W&C leather for try on belts and practice patterns for holsters. Besides, Hermann Oak looks amazing when Oiled.

[colbyj]

Thanks guys, Im having trouble with my swivel knife gliding through the leather. Sounds like I just need to get the casing right. But I have tried every different dampness! Im confused because the leather takes the beveler great. Anybody else have this problem with WC?

Colby

[Go2Tex]

Which W&C leather are you using? Their Oak is lighter, and possibly softer temper, though I haven't used it enough to know how consistently softer it is. Frankly, I didn't like it. It reminded me of import leather. I have used their drum dyed stuff for years and it is definitely softer. It is a pain to carve due to the dye. You must constantly strop your knife as you carve to remove the buildup on the knife, which causes the chatter. It all takes up water with no problem.

Hermann Oak russet is a superior tannage overall, no question. The biggest problem with Hermann Oak is the consistency and uniformity. It is a crapshoot every time I order some. Of course, I don't buy direct from HO because of the capital outlay and wait time, and market uncertainty makes that risky. I use distributors, usually a couple sides at a time, and that means I am at the mercy of their pick. If they get crap, I get crap. Otherwise, I have to pay through the nose for a side of leather if I want a shot at getting an actual no.1 grade. I ordered 10 no. 1 sides from HO once, and it took forever to get it, and I got no better than if I had ordered tannery run from a distributor. One side had a 4" butcher cut right through the back/butt where I take my stirrup leathers! The cost of return shipping means you generally have to eat the crap.

I have noticed a reduction in overall quality and consistency of W&C over the past few years. I always order their top grade and sometimes there is grain damage, rawhide untanned areas, lots and lots of fat wrinkles throughout, and narrow sides, but the thickness is always quite good and uniform. I order heavy and I get heavy.

With Hermann Oak, sometimes I order heavy and get medium, and sometimes I get extra heavy. (18 oz in the neck!!) And, it is like sole leather - dry as hell and impossible to cut. I know I could order it leveled, buffed, etc, but that adds to the cost which is already driving my hourly wage side of the equation into the; "would you like fries with that?", and, "Welcome to Walmart", price range.

I'm thinking about going Mexican. Like they say, once you go Mexican, eh... you're stuck on the other side of the fence. I have to say, the Chahin tanned stuff is generally pretty decent. Plus, I notice they have drum dyed brown and chestnut skirting. For the price I'm paying for W&C these days, I could probably just buy 3 side of Chahin and work around the problems.

[colbyj]

Brent, I am using the carving/tooling leather with oak color. The majority of my work is on the lighter side, like belts, wallets, etc. So I am using the 8/10 oz range typically. I think I am going to go back to order the belt bend/double shoulders from Springfield. Their is hardly any waste and it tools great. I just wanted to try out the W&C because I heard good things about it.

[ChuckBurrows]

Two notes:

1) While W & C leather is generally of a softer temper than HO they will double or triple plate it at your request IIRC for free - this gives it a much firmer hand

2) W & C also offeres backs/bends and IMO comparing backs to sides is more or less apples and oranges....

Overall though I have to agree after crafting leather now for 51 years, that todays leather is not up to the standards I used to get....

[Rayban]

Anybody else have this problem with WC?

Colby

I doubt the leather would be the problem.

[colbyj]

Thanks for the comments. I appreciate the input from everyone. Except the last comment. If you dont have any advice, why say anything?

[Art]

Colby,

I have seen experienced leatherworkers who can make a silk purse from a sow's ear (as the saying goes). There are three long established vegetable tanneries left in the US. They all make remarkably good product from the packer hides they receive. The cattle are brought to slaughter quite early now (I can't remember in the last 12 years seeing a carcass or primal cut that cut black) and the subsequent hides are quite different than those of older cattle. Old steer good for hides, young steer good for meat, and the packer chooses meat every time. Old steers, bulls, dairy, etc are processed into meat products (canned etc.).

The three US tanneries make a little different product in firmness, which is the first thing you feel. HO is a little harder than WC. HO got a little too all over the place for me, so I went with WC because they put out a consistent product that you can adjust in finishing. It the product is too soft, have it jacked harder. The finishing dept at WC is their strong point, use it.

Buying one hide at a time from different sources is not the way to buy. Going to the tannery is of course the best way if you are near and can stand to buy in bulk. You have to learn what your supplier can and will do for you. However for the small user, there is always TLF or better yet Springfield Leather. SLC will cut leather for you, Kevin has made customer service his goal with the smaller crafter in mind. Call and talk to them about your needs. Sometimes the tanneries can't supply your needs, and that's where SLC or TLF can really work for you.

So there you go, there is no one solution to any problem, if there is then go for it. And don't write TLF or SLC off, back in the '90s, the best calf (naked) I could get anywhere was at Tandy, sorry to see them go.

Like I first said, a good leatherworker can make a damned fine product with whatever he has.

Art

Thanks for the comments. I appreciate the input from everyone. Except the last comment. If you dont have any advice, why say anything?