Jump to content

Recommended Posts

  • Members
Posted

Hi, 

I'm looking for input on what is the best company to buy from.  I want veg-tanned not-dyed leather for carving and dyeing from a U.S. source.  American Leather Direct says much of their leather is from U.S. sources.  They are telling me their tooling leather is $7.00 - $6.40 per sq. foot.  How do these prices compare?  How does their leather compare?  What other companies do you know of, or buy U.S. sourced leather from?  To be clear, I don't have a business so I'm not talking about wholesale deals.  

Thanks!

Nick

  • Replies 36
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Contributing Member
Posted

$7 is a GOOD price if the leather is decent.  Most of us here, I would dare say, use leather from

Hermann Oak (natural tooling leather at about $8) and/or Wickett & Craig (natural tooling at about $10)

They are not the same, but both quite good.

 As for american leather, THEY may be in the US,but is the LEATHER from teh US?

 

JLS  "Observation is 9/10 of the law."

IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.

5 leather patterns

  • Members
Posted (edited)

HI JLSleathr, in response to your question, according to the company, "AMERICAN LEATHER DIRECT INC. offers a wide range of high quality leathers produced at one of the most modern equipped, state of the art tanneries in North America. We use only the finest U.S. steer hides."

Thanks for the info on how prices compare. 

Do you know if Herman Oak leather is from U.S. sources?  

Edited by CraftyNick
  • Members
Posted
33 minutes ago, CraftyNick said:

HI JLSleathr, in response to your question, according to the company, "AMERICAN LEATHER DIRECT INC. offers a wide range of high quality leathers produced at one of the most modern equipped, state of the art tanneries in North America. We use only the finest U.S. steer hides."

Mexico is in North America.  MANY US hides are tanned in Mexico and returned.

"Out of my mind.....back in 5 minutes"

  • Contributing Member
Posted

HO claims to use only domestic hides.

But "my question" wasn't for me -- just for your consideration. Maybe its made here with cows from here. Maybe not. :dunno:   Since I use the two I listed, it's not something that matters to me.  

Gotta wonder, tho -- if 'they say' that they " use only the finest U.S. steer hides", then why does your first post read " American Leather Direct says much of their leather is from U.S. sources "

But you point out that you don't have "business license" (whatever that is).  If you're talking about strictly retail purchasing, then your best bet might be to post in the "wanted" section, and perhaps someone here can get you the piece(s) you need for less than an arm ...

 

 

JLS  "Observation is 9/10 of the law."

IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.

5 leather patterns

Posted
5 hours ago, CraftyNick said:

HI JLSleathr, in response to your question, according to the company, "AMERICAN LEATHER DIRECT INC. offers a wide range of high quality leathers produced at one of the most modern equipped, state of the art tanneries in North America. We use only the finest U.S. steer hides."

Thanks for the info on how prices compare. 

Do you know if Herman Oak leather is from U.S. sources?  

Tricky wording for Mexican tanned leather.  Not a slam on ALD quality of leather, but they sell Mexican tanned hides.

Herman Oak and Wicket and Craig both tan in the USA.

  • Members
Posted (edited)

You guys are probably right that much or all of the American Leather Direct hides are tanned in Mexico, but, according to what they say, they must be from domestic steers.  However, they told me that their "economy" leather is not necessarily domestic, but this doesn't apply to their normal tooling leather.  That's why I said "much of their leather".is from US sources.  

It's good to know that they tan in the U.S., but does anyone know whether Herman Oak or WIcket and Craig use hides sourced from the U.S.?  

I don't know, maybe most people on here are professionals who buy in bulk, but I'm just a beginning crafter and would like to get material processed and sourced in the U.S. if possible.  We ought to be able to make leather in this country, still.  

Edited by CraftyNick
  • Members
Posted (edited)
4 minutes ago, CraftyNick said:

......We ought to be able to make leather in this country, still.  

ha! try convincing the EPA of that.

I remember having a convo with an EPA guy in Kansas who was involved in a closing of a tannery there that specialized in deer hides.  He told me basically it's all political. the argument that chromium tanning pollutes the water supply (which it does) didn't hold water (pun intended). He said he tried to convince the feds that there was just about the same amount of chromium in the surrounding rocks but they didn't want to hear it. So now we send stuff to Mexico.

Edited by Studio-N

"Out of my mind.....back in 5 minutes"

  • Members
Posted

ALD's website says that they sell Chahin leather, which is from a tannery in Mexico.  Weaver leather also sells the brand.  I've never used it, so can't give an opinion on it.

 

Bill

  • Members
Posted

I don't think I'll actually buy from ALD.  Not that I think there is really anything wrong with them, just don't know why I'd choose them since they don't even sell US tanned leather apparently.  Does anyone get US leather from Tandy?

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...