Tandy Oak Leaf Vs Hermann Oak

[Leprechaunleather]

Simple question, is there much or a difference in quality ? what is the best leather and why ?

[Widget]

I can't speak for wepeveryone, only what I notice.... I find the hermann oak to be superior for a few reasons:

1. I think it carves a lot better. With the same swivel knife, I get better cut control etc. on the hermann oak. I feel like there's more drag on the Tandy, tho that could just be because I'm not that good at carving.

2. I find it easier to get an even dye job on the hermann. Using good dye, like firings pro oil, i get a more even look on the hermann oak.

3. This may be truly lack of experience or even a bad piece....I don't buy a lot of leather in quantity. Not even a little bit. I've onlh bought in the past year one side of Tandy and one of hermann...but I find that the weight of the hermann oak is more "realistic" than the Tandy. By that I mean, the 4/5 oz side I bought of the Tandy felt awful thin. Closer to 2/3 oz. Again, that could just be me not buying a lot of quantity.

This is all anecdotal, and of course, your mileage may vary. Let me know what you find, I'm interested in other perspectives.

[NVLeatherWorx]

Here it is in a nutshell:

Hermann Oak leather is tanned using one of the original vegetable based (from Oak) formula's that dates way back which gives the leather a true natural look when dried; the Tandy leathers (all of them) are tanned in Mexico using a more modern formula (not from Oak) that doesn't quite give you the color (dry or wet) that a quality oak tanned leather should.

The Hermann Oak leather is drawn from the top of the line U.S. Steer hides which are tougher and larger and they hand pick each skin that will be sent to their tannery; only the finest and cleanest hides make the cut, and that goes for all grades of theirs. Tandy doesn't quite put the emphasis on selecting quality skins to be sent to Mexico to be tanned and that creates a consistency issue.

Hermann Oak hides are very clean. I have even used some of the lowest grade leathers on certain items and found them to be much cleaner (free from scars, damage, etc.) than even the Royal Meadow sides from Tandy, and that is their top of the line grade. I use the Hermann Oak Craftsman grade bellies for some of wallet interiors and other items where I need a very lightweight (2 to 3 oz.) cowhide and they are much finer than the Oak Leaf 8 to 9 oz leather.

Hermann Oak stamps/carves & tools much better than anything Tandy has to offer and there is no competition between the two when finishing; Hermann Oak always gives you an even dye/stain/antique and finishing look every time; can't say that about any of the Tandy leathers.

Hermann Oak is consistent every time when verifying weight; none of the Tandy leathers can say this.

Put quite simply, if you have the chance to use Hermann Oak over any of the other leathers then do it. Yes, you will pay a bit more for Hermann Oak but you are getting a true Premium leather and it is well worth it. However, beware of this: Tandy has recently started to introduce Hermann Oak leather into their product offerings (in limited weights for right now) and I can tell you that their pricing is way over any other source/supplier for these same materials, even if you have their BEST pricing. There are other sources for the Hermann Oak leather and you will find that even at their highest price points they are still well below where Tandy sells to their Elite/Business members; and I mean WAY BELOW.

Tandy isn't as focused on trying to be the "Go To" source for quality leather crafting materials anymore like they used to be (and this was way back in their early days); their business model is more sales (as in marketing to larger groups such as correctional and rehabilitation programs, etc.) and that is evident not only by the product lines and their quality, but also by the simple fact that the vast majority of their staff are salespeople and typically have NO knowledge of the craft or how to use an item; they just know what the manufacturer information tells them and how they are trained to sell it.

[ALWGolf]

Tandy's leather is great to practice on but not for products to sell in my opinion. The weight is never correct from Tandy and it is not very pliable. When I bent the leather for a wallet the fat wrinkles were horrible. I have no experience with carving but for stamping Hermann Oaks or Wickett & Craig sides are much nicer. Spend the extra money and have a quality piece.

I also believe that Tandy has their leather tanned in Brazil.

[NVLeatherWorx]

Only their pigskin is tanned in Brazil, more specifically the Mission Grain pigskin lining leather. And it is now vegetable-tanned (using another lesser quality formula that also has a high wax content on finishing) as it is cheaper than the old way was. Much more stretchy now and can be difficult to work with.

Stick with the better quality of either H.O. or W.&C. and you can't go wrong.

[Chief31794]

I've used both in the past (25 years or so ago, Tandy had some pretty decent leather). I won't use Tandy leather, I use Hermann Oak exclusively. Never tried Wicket & Craig, because I have no reason to leave HO, I'm sure it's good leather, I'm also sure that you may get by using Tandy leather but eventually you will be very disappointed using it as compared to using Hermann Oak. I also tried some RJF leather but while it was okay I just didn't like it nearly as much as Hermann Oak. Just my $.02 worth.

Chief

[Gump]

Was in Tandy's today, and they had a pile of Brazilian vegtan sides. It was the softest temper vegtan I have ever seen. It was almost as soft as milled vegtan. Anyway ,from what I have seen, Tandy buys from whoever has the cheapest leather. Some from Brazil, Mexico and Eastern Europe. If you can get to a store, you can find decent hides at Tandy by times, but it is not HO quality. Gump.

[BDAZ]

What you didn't mention was the prices of these sides...$49 for 8-9 oz and 39 for 3-4 oz... My rep at my local Tandy always takes really good care of me.

Cya!

Bob

[NVLeatherWorx]

But those prices are for what Tandy calls their Craftsman Oak grade and these are so inconsistent that it isn't even funny. They do these special purchases around the Holiday's and at least two other times during the year. If you are solely fixed on price of leather then by all means stick with Tandy; but don't come around asking why you have one issue or another when using the leather or coloring it because we have pretty much already answered those issues. If you are a craftsman that believes in quality and that the finished product says "you" then you should not be using ANY of the Tandy leather.

This thread was about the quality differences, not the price, yet it seems that all anyone can focus on is the $ sign. The original question related to quality needs and that is where we have been taking this thread, let us not lose focus of where we were asked for help in understanding the difference in QUALITY.

[BDAZ]

But those prices are for what Tandy calls their Craftsman Oak grade and these are so inconsistent that it isn't even funny. They do these special purchases around the Holiday's and at least two other times during the year. If you are solely fixed on price of leather then by all means stick with Tandy; but don't come around asking why you have one issue or another when using the leather or coloring it because we have pretty much already answered those issues. If you are a craftsman that believes in quality and that the finished product says "you" then you should not be using ANY of the Tandy leather.

This thread was about the quality differences, not the price, yet it seems that all anyone can focus on is the $ sign. The original question related to quality needs and that is where we have been taking this thread, let us not lose focus of where we were asked for help in understanding the difference in QUALITY.

The two are inseparable. When you have a hobby business with an Etsy shop or two making a few wallets and belts, the bottom line isn't very important. I am under pressure to deliver my products to a wholesaler who in turn, will sell to the end user or possible another dealer. I need to keep my costs under control so the end user price will be competitive and the finish as to be consistent to match the photographs in the catalogs. To that end I purchase leather from various sources including Tandy and use the minimum cost/quality I can get away with that will keep my customer happy. Sometimes that's $12 -$15 a square foot and sometimes $5-$6. My experience with Tandy is that I can usually get a quality side for a decent price IF I sort through a lot of leather in the store. I have also had no problem producing consistency from the sides I select.

I also buy mail order from other sources at higher prices and have been generally pleased with the quality, though it's not significantly better than the better sides I get locally. I have only had to return 1 side due to quality issues.

I have never experienced " one issue or another when using the leather (Tandy) or coloring it" but maybe you have in which case I would suggest learning how to select your own sides.

Quite clearly Herman Oak is generally a better quality leather at a price.

Cya!

Bob