Recent Skirting Leather Back From Wickett & Craig With Too Much Belly Included?

[RawhideLeather]

Thanks, there's some good advice there. I live in a pretty small town but might try the Craigslist route. I'm a senior citizen myself and am finding it increasingly difficult to find the quality of many things I purchase to match that of the good old days. I guess leather is just another one of those things nowadays. I appreciate your time in replying. Best of luck to you as well!

Any one else care to comment?

[oltoot]

I don't know if it will fit your situation or not but here is what I do. As a saddlemaker I do have more uses for belly leather in fact, I find that in most bellies they have a pretty firm middle but that's not my way out. Since I live in a pretty rural setting, every so often when my "scrap" gets to be a bit overwhelming I call the local 4H leader and they bring a garbage bag and leave with it full and a biig grin on their faces.

[mlapaglia]

Or a local Boy Scout / Cub Scout troop. They love it also.

Edited February 14, 2015 by mlapaglia

[catskin]

From what I have read, a lot of places have changed the way they cut hides at the tanneries. It used to be that they cut the hide from end to end in 3 with the spine position in the middle to call it a back and the other lower pieces were the bellies. Now they tend to cut them down the spine and trim a smaller strip of that they consider belly. This way they get 2 (backs ) from a hide and less belly . that way they sell more at back price and less at belly price.

Edited February 23, 2015 by catskin