What is he best leather for?

[metroplexchl]

I am brand new to leatherworking. I don't plan on ever making it a business, but I do want to make it a fun hobby.  One thing I assumed in the beginning was that I could buy a big roll of some type of leather and make a small bag or sack, a wallet, a belt, a briefcase, or anything. It seems that it's turning out to be quite different. One should use certain kind of leather for certain projects....or at least it appears so.

I know that some things can obviously be made with many different kinds of leather, but is there a general rule of thumb for choosing a leather for a project?

Chris

[Dwight]

Of all the things you mentioned that you might "some day" like to make:  vegetable tanned leather will work fine for all of them.  In fact, if you want to do any serious stamping or tooling, . . . it is your leather of choice.

Then it only becomes a choice of thickness.  There are some "rules of thumb" for thickness based on the item you are making, . . . but at the same time, . . . those rules of thumb are not set in stone.  A little thinner on the leather for a lady's purse, will make it a bit more flexible, . . . an little thicker for a holster, will make it more bulky.  

Nice thing about this place, . . . and at least my Tandy store, . . . tell em what you want to make, . . . somebody there will give you a real good idea, and possibly even a couple of alternatives.

May God bless,

Dwight

[metroplexchl]

Thanks,  do you get all your leather at tandy? They seem high according to some other online shops, but I have no experience on the best quality reputable places to buy leather online. Where do you get your leather?

Chris

[leatherwytch]

I am sorry but after decades of using Tandy leather veg tan. I am more than partial to using Herman Oak instead for tooling; belts, bags, etc. I actually picked up some more today. I won't say that Tandy doesn't have some nice garment leather because they do. I am just more partial to Herman Oak. I love the way it cuts, tools and it is tanned the old way or six weeks or more.

[metroplexchl]

5 minutes ago, leatherwytch said:

I am sorry but after decades of using Tandy leather veg tan. I am more than partial to using Herman Oak instead for tooling; belts, bags, etc. I actually picked up some more today. I won't say that Tandy doesn't have some nice garment leather because they do. I am just more partial to Herman Oak. I love the way it cuts, tools and it is tanned the old way or six weeks or more.

I looked at Hermann Oaks' site. Looks great. Is "drum dyed' the leather where they dye it for great lengths of time and it seems to be dyed all the way thru the hide?

[CaptQuirk]

Where you buy your leather makes some difference. Lots of folks carry the Herman Oaks, at different prices. The location of where you buy can make a bigger difference when you figure in shipping. That said, while I was searching for leather sources, I found Panhandle Leather, located somewhere in Texas... don't remember where exactly. The thing is, they are likely closer to you than many of the sources mentioned here, That means the product will get to you sooner, and cost less to ship.

[metroplexchl]

26 minutes ago, CaptQuirk said:

Where you buy your leather makes some difference. Lots of folks carry the Herman Oaks, at different prices. The location of where you buy can make a bigger difference when you figure in shipping. That said, while I was searching for leather sources, I found Panhandle Leather, located somewhere in Texas... don't remember where exactly. The thing is, they are likely closer to you than many of the sources mentioned here, That means the product will get to you sooner, and cost less to ship.

Oh my....I just saw on Hermann Oaks that they have a minimum order amount. As a serious hobbyist, I don't want to buy in bulk. At least not until I get much more experience after a few years.

[bikermutt07]

For Hermann Oak, check out Springfield Leather. You can get different size pieces or straps or hides from them.

Another option is Wickett and Craig. They will sell single hides to the public.

Both are great leathers.

[metroplexchl]

How does Horween compare to those mentioned already? I just googled and their name came up.

[leatherwytch]

Actually there are very few in the world that are authorized to carry Herman Oak. If they are not authorized and they say they are carrying it they are in trouble. I actually spoke with the owner today, he was at the only store in Canada  today. With the owner of the store I was in.