arocco Report post Posted January 7, 2014 So I'm new to this forum and I've done some searching and one post I've wish I've found but still seems to elude me is a post on leather sources. I'm relatively new to leatherworking and I'm making watch straps right now from various Horween hides purchased from Maverick Leather Company out of California. The quality of the leather is very good, while the price is relatively cheap (~$5 sqft) I'm in the mood to start trying leather from different sources and other tanneries other than Horween but am not able to approach most tanneries directly because of the small amounts I buy. Is there any other good leather dealers you guys would recommend? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TXAG Report post Posted January 7, 2014 Last side I got was from Wickett & Craig...but I'll try anyplace (other than Tandy and Springfield) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jk215 Report post Posted January 7, 2014 You can approach most tanneries directly even for small orders. A lot of us use Wickett & Craig for a good variety of high quality veg tan and you can buy as little as 1 side. You can also contact Horween's "little guy" extension called Tannery Row where you can buy as little as 1 side as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Blea Report post Posted January 7, 2014 Where are you located? There are several smaller leather distributors around the US, like Sheridan Leather Outfitters in Sheridan, WY, or Panhandle Leather in Amarillo, TX, that are good to deal with and may be close to you. I like dealing with Sheridan Leather Outfitters when I can. Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chiefjason Report post Posted January 8, 2014 I have used both Thoroughbred Leather in Kentucky and American Leather Direct in Kentucky and have been happy with the products. Which one I use depends on what leather I need. Both have been good to work with even for one or two hides. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lightingale Report post Posted January 8, 2014 Shipping costs and duties to Canada make it difficult to obtain some of the nice leathers directly from the tannery. I do, actually get most of my veg-tan leather from Tandy. They have one line of leather "European Tooling" bends that are of acceptable quality. The grain is nice, the flesh side is tight, and most hides don't have major faults to work around. The elite discount helps. To any Canadians that have ordered leather from outside of Canada.. I would love to hear about your experience. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
r lenna Report post Posted January 8, 2014 If you want tooling leather I've had a a lot of luck from Panhandle Leather. They have good prices and deliver pretty fast. I use Springfield leather for most other kinds. Wicket and Craig have good stuff, but it costs more. If you're going to carve its rough to cut with a swivel knife. A.M.D. has good prices but it's hard to tool. If you like to use Horween leather, Maveric leather has some of the best prices I've seen. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fullmetalsam Report post Posted January 8, 2014 Shipping costs and duties to Canada make it difficult to obtain some of the nice leathers directly from the tannery. I do, actually get most of my veg-tan leather from Tandy. They have one line of leather "European Tooling" bends that are of acceptable quality. The grain is nice, the flesh side is tight, and most hides don't have major faults to work around. The elite discount helps. To any Canadians that have ordered leather from outside of Canada.. I would love to hear about your experience. Same here. Would love to hear from some other canadian leather worker. Being in Canada the shipping on the US tannery is killing us (for small orders)... so I do get my leather from Tandy as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arocco Report post Posted January 9, 2014 I have used both Thoroughbred Leather in Kentucky and American Leather Direct in Kentucky and have been happy with the products. Which one I use depends on what leather I need. Both have been good to work with even for one or two hides. Great will try out these two as well. Any other companies? I've also tried "The Leather Guy" in minnesota as they have a good website but was unimpressed with their leather quality. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
r lenna Report post Posted January 11, 2014 I've used American Leather Direct also and most likely will not again after trying Hermond Oak. The differnce is like night and day. H.O is easy to tool. It will spoil you Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J Hayes Report post Posted January 12, 2014 I like the veg double shoulder from RJF, cuts nicely and molds really well for concealed carry holsters I make. Ive tried a few others, now I have to sell a buncha belts.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krista Report post Posted January 14, 2014 I need to pick up some scraps of saddle seat leather to do some repair work. any suggestions of where to buy some? thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krista Report post Posted January 14, 2014 maybe I should also ask what type of leather I should be looking for. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
r lenna Report post Posted January 14, 2014 Brettuns Village has small hides and scrap http://www.brettunsvillage.com/leather/vegtanleathers.htm and thicker stuff http://www.brettunsvillage.com/leather/solebends.htm so does Springfield leather they have lots to choose from http://springfieldleather.com/17/Leathers/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xaque Report post Posted January 18, 2014 (edited) Same here. Would love to hear from some other canadian leather worker. Being in Canada the shipping on the US tannery is killing us (for small orders)... so I do get my leather from Tandy as well. Check out www.caledonleather.ca they're based out of Calgary and are Canadian distributors of Herman Oak and Thoroughbred leather. Their site isn't the greatest and they don't have any kind of stock listings so you'll have to contact them directly to find out if they have what you're looking for. I haven't placed any orders with them as of yet, so if any fellow Canadians have had experience going through them I would love to hear some feedback. Edited January 18, 2014 by xaque Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
borlinoleather Report post Posted January 18, 2014 If you are looking for leather for all quality at affordable cost, then you find it from borlino provides free shipping on all price. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TXAG Report post Posted January 18, 2014 More self-promotion, huh? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J Hayes Report post Posted January 18, 2014 Yeah, looks to be a manufacturer of bags and such.....seems like a spam posting, even I have better grammer....... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TXAG Report post Posted January 18, 2014 Yep...walks/talks/smells like spam to me too... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WScott Report post Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) If you are looking for leather for all quality at affordable cost, then you find it from borlino provides free shipping on all price. I think the original poster was looking for raw leather suppliers, not finished products But, you have beautiful leather products and fantastic photography n your website Good for you, promo away!!!! Edited January 19, 2014 by WScott Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jkeith Report post Posted January 19, 2014 I'm in the same boat. However, from the many recommendations from Leatherworker.net members, I made my first leather purchased with RJF Leather - http://rjfleather.com. I haven't received the order yet, but so far I'm impressed. I'll let you know what I think when my order arrives. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WScott Report post Posted January 19, 2014 I have mail ordered from Sherridan Leather Outfitters and Springfield Leather. I had no problems with either. When you mail order, there is an inherent risk that what you get isn't quite what you want. I actually prefer a little place in East Vancouver where I go to see, smell and feel the leather before I buy. Even the Local Tandy is a good start to get the hands on feel of what you are buying JMHO Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J Hayes Report post Posted January 22, 2014 Yeah, looks to be a manufacturer of bags and such.....seems like a spam posting, even I have better grammer....... My apologies for my bad post, shame on me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WScott Report post Posted January 22, 2014 Good for you J Hayes, takes guts to do that Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J Hayes Report post Posted January 22, 2014 (edited) Thank you WScott, it was a bad move on my part, I jumped to a conclusion and apologize for it. Edited January 22, 2014 by J Hayes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites