Help Finding 'struck Through' Leather Hides

[PitS]

Hello everyone!

I'm new to the forums and fairly new to leather working.

I've been making belts and collars and have been looking for 12 oz struck through latigo or any other suitable leather type without success so far. I searched Google and also this forum and nothing turns up.

Can someone point me in the right direction? Does anyone actually make struck through hides? It would simply save a good bit of time not having to paint the edges.

Thanks in advance!

Scott

[Art]

Well, on quality belts, I paint the edges anyway. That being said, there are usually about 10 sides to a drum. Leaving the hides in longer will put the dye further into the leather. My experience is that if you run them longer in the drum, they will also have a softer hand, although finishing might be able to correct that a little.

Are you ready to shell out $1,600 + shipping or so? Call Wickett & Craig and have them do it for you. By the way, these won't come the next day, they would have to work your request into their production somewhere.

Art

[PitS]

Thanks for the reply Art! I've dealt with Wickett & Craig before. In fact am still using some of their leather now. I'm surprised to hear you suggest that I would essentially have to buy a full drum as it would be special order. Although my inability to find a source anywhere indicates you may be correct. Figured this was something others would like too. I do have a hide of harness leather I bought from Weaver Leather that is struck through, but I'm not too crazy about how it feels. A bit too stiff for my liking even after extensive wear.

[Art]

Hi Scott,

I have also received hides struck all the way through, although I have never been able to actually order for that to happen. Essentially, it happens when it happens. With you wanting 11 oz or there abouts, I don't think it will happen that often. If you make belts for shows, you will go through 10 hides worth in one show, so you're going to have to sell at least that many to cover show costs.

Harness is always the stiffest stuff around, bridle next.

Art

[PitS]

That's good info! Thanks!

[mlapaglia]

What does it mean "Struck through"? I am not familiar with that term.

[camano ridge]

STRUCK THROUGH: The dyeing of leather can be controlled by the manufacturer to either fully or partially penetrate it. Since full penetration requires more dye, leather that has been fully penetrated is more costly to produce than leather that has only been superficially (the flesh and grain surfaces) penetrated. Leather that has been fully penetrated with dye is known as fully struck through leather. If it has only been superficially dyed, it is called partially struck through.

[mlapaglia]

Thanks

[leatherman64]

The tanning chemistry is very complex. I have been told that its not necessarily the time in the drums with the dye that causes penetration but more so the ph of the solution. But obviously changing the ph to get the dye deeper causes other outcomes as well. Maybe the leather turns into a wet noodle, or maybe it turns stiff as a board. So once a process is developed it is not an easy change to make the leather struck through. I don't know of any 11+oz leather in bridle or latigo that is struck through. If you have it specially done please keep us in the loop!