Why Is The Leather Wrinkley?

[shtoink]

looks like the leather was rolled backwards. Flesh side out.

This was my first guess, as well.

When you roll it backwards tight enough, you'll end up stretching the grain side passed the point of being able easily to return to its original location. This can also happen on the flesh side, but it can take much more bending to get to that point and it's far less noticeable. As was mentioned above, the location of the hide that the particular piece was cut from plays a big role in the stretching/bending effects, too.

[25b]

Vegtan works very well for belts. Just make sure its from the back. I buy Backs and Bends for belts. Works great. Herman Oak Leather is all I buy anymore.

This is quite true...I'm finishing up a ranger belt for myself and cut it from bridle back outside (black) and the inner layer is chestnut veg tanned tooling leather, also from the back...and it's beautiful. Now I think I am spoiled and will only use bridle backs for other things I make. Maybe not, but wow, does it really burnish nicely!!! Just wonderful to work with. Mine came from Wickett & Craig, but I know Herman Oak makes great leather too.