Types of wallet leather?

[DanielToby]

Hi everyone, new guy here. Not for nothing, but I usually tend to do a large amount of research before I ask questions but this stumps me. 

Coach, Prada, Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, they all seem to use a leather stiffness and thickness that's really slim for their card holders and such, I just can't figure out. I just got a ton of samples I ordered from Acadia Leather, most is a good thickness and it's still pretty soft and floppy. Does the edge finishing give it a little more stiffness overall?

I know those upscale brands get their stuff from this upscale tannery in France, I'm sure everything is custom to their clients specs.

So does anyone know where I might be able to get a very good quality American product that has such properties?

[Mattsbagger]

I use 3 oz veg tan.

Edited January 24, 2017 by Mattsbagger

[Mattsbagger]

[Mattsbagger]

Oh and chrome tan leather is usually very soft. It what they use for bags and such. The edges can't really be burnished they have to be painted with edge paint or edge kote or the like. And it's always predyed. Not sure if any of this helps.

[thefanninator]

I haven't used it yet but you might try Wickett & Craig English Bridle leather. They'll split it down to whatever thickness you want for a fee. Maybe someone else can chime in about how stiff it is. It's American made.

 

http://wickett-craig.com/english-bridle-pricing/

Edited January 24, 2017 by thefanninator

[MADMAX22]

Pretty sure that those French hides they use are vegtan just alot different than say HO or WC veg we are all use to. I forget some of the names of those imported leathers (buttero leather comes to mind) but if you want to try US tanneries than a split down bridle/harness/regular veg or one of Horween leather selections would be your primary source. Horween makes some various combination tanned and vegtan leathers you could try. 

[DanielToby]

20 hours ago, Mattsbagger said:

I use 3 oz veg tan.

Very nice products sir. This is the thickness I've been toying with. It seems the finish and type of tanning has a huge impact. High fashion items almost seem like they're made of super thin leather and then inserts for stiffness. Have you ever picked up a Coach wallet at your local mall? The leather is soft, but the construction is stiff, that's the part that gets me. I've also watched tons of videos on high end bags being constructed and the only inserts are typically in the handles and that's it.

16 hours ago, MADMAX22 said:

Pretty sure that those French hides they use are vegtan just alot different than say HO or WC veg we are all use to. I forget some of the names of those imported leathers (buttero leather comes to mind) but if you want to try US tanneries than a split down bridle/harness/regular veg or one of Horween leather selections would be your primary source. Horween makes some various combination tanned and vegtan leathers you could try. 

I would love to use Horween, but it seems it only comes in natural tan colors, I'm looking for exotic colors, blues, oranges, reds, etc.

[DanielToby]

18 hours ago, Mattsbagger said:

Oh and chrome tan leather is usually very soft. It what they use for bags and such. The edges can't really be burnished they have to be painted with edge paint or edge kote or the like. And it's always predyed. Not sure if any of this helps.

I noticed they use edge coat, I don't have a problem with that, it would save me the burnishing pain (I'm absolutely a failure at it lol).

[DanielToby]

Seems really smooth, a pebbled type leather would be better.

[Mattsbagger]

6 minutes ago, DanielToby said:

Seems really smooth, a pebbled type leather would be better.

Just have to keep looking till you find what you like. Wife has Coach,D &B Cath Kids on. And on and on.lol. Saddle soap or gum trag can be a game changer for burnishing. Also sanding the edge before burnishing. Matt.