Tandy Euro Bend

[carguy4471]

Anyone tried this leather??  Was thinking of giving it a go and would be delighted to hear if anyone has had experience with it.

Thanks!!

[sideforce]

I haven't yet, but like you, I have been eyeballing it for certain projects.  Interested to hear from the experience of others.

[leatherwytch]

Much of Tandy veg tan  leather is not good, or what I like. Sorry but I wouldn't buy it. I only buy Herman Oak.

[LumpenDoodle2]

Only bought leather once from Tandy, and that was because they were having a sale.   It was ok, but really hairy on the back.

Conclusion, unless it is really cheap, save your money, and get it from one of the places reccommended by folk on here.

[carguy4471]

2 hours ago, LumpenDoodle2 said:

Only bought leather once from Tandy, and that was because they were having a sale.   It was ok, but really hairy on the back.

Conclusion, unless it is really cheap, save your money, and get it from one of the places reccommended by folk on here.

Like you, I have previously purchased some pretty hairy leather from tandy.  It was an economy double shoulder for $50.  This was the first leather I had ever purchased and at the time didn't know what I was looking for.  Even now, knowing how much I trimmed off as it was useless to me, I don't regret the purchase.  I may have not found the hobby as delightful as I do and it served to teach me a bit of what I don't want in leather.

The euro bends I've looked at in the store have zero hair on the back, not even a little fuzz.  They are split very well.  They are tanned as a bend however and do have some small clamp marks from being staked out.  I looked through a dozen or so, none had brands or obvious stretch marks, no cuts or spots that got to thin from splitting.  I was only able to find some random "scuffs" that were all very small and not more that one or two per bend.  

With military elite pricing, and being on sale the bends are $109 for what looked like an average of 10-11 sq ft.  At this pricing I decided I'd try one.  It is very clearly better leather than what I started on.  I have had the pleasure of trying out a little hermann oak and by look and feel it is not quite the same quality.  I don't think I would have grabbed the euro bend if not for the sale and military discount but with those the value seemed reasonable.  

Going forward I think I'm just going to do backs or double shoulders from w&c.  I was actually thinking of just doing a double shoulder from them instead of the euro bend but their splitter is down and I would have had a bit of a wait.  I get my undies in a bunch about the markup buying HO from resellers.  

[ProCreationz]

Yes, I use the Tandy Euro Bend for some of my projects.  I go to the Atlanta store and always select my own.  I have no problems with carving and stamping it, and the finishes take quite well.  I will continue to use them in my work.

[grumpyold]

Not a lot of Herman hides around here, use Tandy leather. You have to go in and pick your hide. A pile of twenty hides will have 3 or 4 really nice hides, and about the same number of hides with nice sections. I would never let a Tandy employ pick and ship, you'll get the next one on the top of the pile.

[cjartist]

I ordered one today.  I'll let you know when I get it how it is. I also ordered a couple HO bellies from Springfield.  I'm trying to figure out what will be the most cost effective leather to make the sides for some stool covers. I need pieces that are about 6" wide and 44" long.  Buying a HO side or bend would certainly be a $$$ loser for this application.

The closest Tandy is a two hour drive for me.  Not worth the drive to go pick it out myself.

[carguy4471]

Well the one I picked out certainly looks like a peach, but I haven't cut into it yet to make a holster.  Hopefully by next week I'm molding something out of it.

[CaptQuirk]

22 hours ago, ProCreationz said:

Yes, I use the Tandy Euro Bend for some of my projects.  I go to the Atlanta store and always select my own.  I have no problems with carving and stamping it, and the finishes take quite well.  I will continue to use them in my work.

Which Store? I've been to the West side store once, because it was on the way (sort of) from Newnan to Athens, and I could try to skirt Atlanta... which is a biggy for me. I hate going through that place!