Working With Horween Chromexcel

[Cletus2014]

So I've been getting some leather stock together, along with tools, knowledge, materials, etc., preparing myself to embark on a big leatherworking odyssey. (Sound exciting?) Because I don't really know what I'm doing yet, I mananged to search out and acquire several pieces of Horween Chromexcel, for no other good reason beyond the fact it's...Horween Chromexcel. I figured that would be the ultimate leather for anything. But now I'm not so sure. Compared to some pieces of regular old Tandy veg tanned leather that I also possess, I'm wondering whether the Hoween chrome is really the best thing to be using for the beginner projects I have in mind. I'm thinking watch straps, little cases for things, notebook covers, wallets, etc...

The Horween chrome leather is quite stretchy and has a soft "hand", which defnitely feels nice to the touch, but is difficult to stitch evenly, and very difficult to tool in any way, or especially to edge burnish. Also, I just read somewhere - maybe here? - that you shouldn't use chrome tanned leather for sheaths, holsters, or anything else meant to house metal objects. Strike two for me. I planned on making leather cases for all my little metal instruments and tools. One of my practice projects was a case for a little 6" machinists rule, which is stainless steel, and now I'm concerened about wrecking the finish on the ruler from the chrome salts leaching out of the leather or something.

I'm thinking of taking all my Horween chrome leather and using it for strops, stitching pony liners and other unitily tasks now, which seems like a downright shame for such fine leather. Alas.

Does anyone have any comments or opinions on the best uses for this leather type? I'm starting to think I should have just stocked up on plain ol' veg tan and just use that for everything.

What about you, do you use Horween Chromexcel?

What do you think the best uses for this stretchy leather are?

Would this even be good to use for a stropping block surface if it came down to that? I've heard you should use really "hard" surface leather for strops, but I don't know how important that is.

Please help!

[Hi Im Joe]

If you don't want your chromexcel please send it to me. I will give it the lovin'.

Honestly, its great for wallets, bags, watchstraps and a bunch of other stuff. I've made wallets out of it and am now using it to make a messenger bag for my wife.

The wallet on the left is tan chromexcel. The other picture is the inside of the wallet.

[LTC]

i'd take it off your hands too...heck, i could trade you some chestnut veg tan for it if that'd help...

[WScott]

You are bang on with your assessment of CXL.

It is definitely not for everything, though Horween manufactures many different leathers for different purposes.

CXL is not tool-able, stretches, blooms out, difficult to burnish edges, hard to stitch....etc

Get some good veg tan and use it for the tool cases and holsters. Save the CXL for a special project that will pop up.

Here is a link to a Horween post I started last year

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=50700&hl=%2Bhorween+%2Bleathers

[Cletus2014]

Thanks leatherworker, it's nice to hear I wasn't too far out in the stratosphere, wondering how to use this leather. After talking with a few others about it too, I guess I'll hold off on scrapping this nice leather, just need to be a little patient and choose my projects more carefully. I don't have much of this stuff, only a few square ft, but I will take another shot at making a watch strap or two and see how it goes.

Thanks for your comments!

You are bang on with your assessment of CXL.

It is definitely not for everything, though Horween manufactures many different leathers for different purposes.

CXL is not tool-able, stretches, blooms out, difficult to burnish edges, hard to stitch....etc

Get some good veg tan and use it for the tool cases and holsters. Save the CXL for a special project that will pop up.

Here is a link to a Horween post I started last year

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=50700&hl=%2Bhorween+%2Bleathers

[LTC]

yeah good luck with that.

[Cletus2014]

Thanks?

yeah good luck with that.

[DavidL]

watch straps are very difficult to make especially as a beginner. Try to make the simplest thing you can so at least you can get practice on the fundamentals (wallets, keychains)

[Hi Im Joe]

If you can make a belt you can make a watch strap. They aren't that difficult. just don't stitch across them. Just stitch along the edge. Its not so hard.

[LeatherWerks]

You could make some dog collars with the stuff. I use it as the outside of the collar and line it with veg tan on the inside. Makes one of the softest collars around.

Steve