Best Veg-Tan If I Want To Hand-Dye But Not Tool?

[Sister Stigmata]

Does anyone have any advice on the most economical veg-tan if I'm only going to be dying it and not tooling it?

I don't do any tooling in my designs. Occasionally I do some light wet-forming, but most of the time I'm just using veg-tan for its ability to take dye and its weight and flexibility. I usually try to find the cheapest 'economy' grade veg-tan, but it gets confusing with all the sides/shoulders/bends/bellies to choose from. I mostly make belts and collars and similar fashion accessories. Tack leather and the stuff they sell for armor reproduction would seem to be the most natural choices, but they're way too thick for what I'm doing. I usually just try to buy the economy grades of veg-tan and hope I get lucky, but even those are usually advertised for their tooling qualities. I've tried asking the staff at the local Tandy about this but their area of expertise was tooling and they didn't have any advice.

If anyone who uses a lot of un-tooled vegtan in their work has any advice about what's the most economical solution, that would help me out a lot.

I think I'm going to try an order from Zack White Leather in NC next and I'm not sure if I should get a side, a butt, or whatever. I hate having to buy leather online but there's nowhere local except for the Tandy and even that's quite a drive.

Thanks, Liz

[halafax]

With collars you never really want to go over 5-6 or 6-7 oz leather. Anything thicker than that and you are going to end up with an issue of not having anything to tack the leather together. 7-8 oz leather is a bit too thick for most of your grommets and rivets.

But when shopping for leather you can ask for the econo sides. They are usually the lowest grade and will have cuts, blemishes and brands. If you have a tax ID number you can go to hidehouse, they are a wholesaler and have good prices on sides, and even predyed shoulders and such. Its easier to talk to them than try to browse their site. I like explaining what Im making they will offer advice as well.

Issue with tandy is that they are expensive, but if you are in need of the leather right then and there its not like you can run out to the store and get some. I have not bought from anyone since I found hide house, just due to their prices. Breutten Leather village is another place to get cheap leather from. They tend to have odd lots and their prices are pretty spiffy, but you have to make sure to check their periodically because their stock changes regularly. Ive found some neat stuff on there.

If you need any help with anything let me know. I do collars as well as other odds and ends.

Hope this helps.

[lightingale]

I make dog collars out of 8-9oz leather all the time, without issue. I find it the perfect weight if you're not going to double up or line it. Tandy's medium rivets have met my needs just fine at this weight, although I skive the buckle end a tad to help things fit together smoothly (1 side has about 1/4 of the thickness shaved off).

Tandy (in Canada, at least) has Craftman 4-5oz (meh quality) sides on sale for only about $49, maybe USA has the same sale? It's a good deal, although you have to see them for yourself to pick out a good one.