Recommended Leather Suppliers (US)

[KingsCountyLeather]

All right! USA is sorted for leather...

Now what about the rest of the world?? 

I've only ever bought from Tandy UK and that's not great.  Would love to have a couple of other suppliers like you guys?

Anyone? Anyone?

[gary]

Kings county leather,

Even though it says watch straps, there is a list of uk suppliers in ...

 

[billybopp]

Looks like you've got it essentially correct, Elizabeth.  There are indeed some sellers that sell first quality HO and Horween, but there's a bit of research to find out who's who in that respect.

  I would add that Tandy announced a few days ago via their YouTube channel that they are now carrying in stores Sedgwick in black, brown and chestnut.  It has yet to show up on their website, and I have not yet made it to the local shop to confirm that.  Being Tandy, however, I suspect that they will be asking top dollar for it and I'd be sure to check the quality - It wouldn't be unusual for them to charge the highest prices for second quality.

Bill

[terrymac]

One additional source for Sedgewick in USA is Booth and Co located in Boston (I think)  Top of the line and good service. Quite the leather.  I had a scrap piece that I just threw out on a table outside and left for six weeks and left fully exposed to the summer elements and full sun. I then put a little of Booth's bridle leather conditioner on it, and was dang near like out of the box. I can't imagine what a different leather would have looked like. It isn't cheap but well worth the cost. Ken at Booth is a check of a nice guy and easy s y to work with.

Terry

[fredk]

3 hours ago, KingsCountyLeather said:

All right! USA is sorted for leather...

Now what about the rest of the world?? 

I've only ever bought from Tandy UK and that's not great.  Would love to have a couple of other suppliers like you guys?

Anyone? Anyone?

I get my leather from LePrevo

http://www.leprevo.co.uk/hides.htm

 

[KingsCountyLeather]

I've looked at their site and it looks good, just didn't want to purchase more leather I wasn't happy with...

Thanks. 

I also looked at their hardware, do think they're the best for that stuff also?

[RhodesAveDesigns]

19 hours ago, billybopp said:

Looks like you've got it essentially correct, Elizabeth.  There are indeed some sellers that sell first quality HO and Horween, but there's a bit of research to find out who's who in that respect.

  I would add that Tandy announced a few days ago via their YouTube channel that they are now carrying in stores Sedgwick in black, brown and chestnut.  It has yet to show up on their website, and I have not yet made it to the local shop to confirm that.  Being Tandy, however, I suspect that they will be asking top dollar for it and I'd be sure to check the quality - It wouldn't be unusual for them to charge the highest prices for second quality.

Bill

Bill, thanks for reading and clarifying the info in my post.  The issues many members have in buying smaller amounts of Hermann Oak are confusing/ puzzling, as many seem to gave completely opposite results within days of each other, to the point that, without picking out one's own sides in person, making any 2nd party recommendation just seemed unwise. As for Horween, the OP wanted a general recommendation for some point in the future; most smaller shops get in Horween sides in select styles/colors, without consistent inventory. While this is completely understandable, it made giving numerous, specific, possible suppliers untenable. 

I have also heard the Tandy announcement; the idea that Tandy will be selling Sedgewick products seems suspect, at best, regarding both quality & price. Given the company's historic and ongoing sales practices, low grades sold at premium prices sounds about right, leading to a general misunderstanding of the true quality inherent in English bridle leather. Frankly, I was disappointed in Clayton's/Sedgewick for entering such a partnership, given their emphasis on quality and history, as well as their relative transparency regarding the materials and processes they employ, something their new partner does their best to dodge and obscure, imo. 

- Elizabeth

[matthewb137]

Funny someone mentioned Wickett and Craig, I'm visiting their tannery to pick out and buy some Sides Monday since they're only about 2 1/2 hours from me. I heard of tannery row, but I'm nowhere near ready for that cost yet. 

[fredk]

On 11/08/2017 at 7:49 PM, KingsCountyLeather said:

I've looked at their site and it looks good, just didn't want to purchase more leather I wasn't happy with...

Thanks. 

I also looked at their hardware, do think they're the best for that stuff also?

I've been buying from LePrevo for 17 years - never had a problem with any leather. I tell them the thickness, square footage and type I want and let them send it to me. Only twice did I ask for a small sample first

Hardware; do you mean rivets, buckles and such or tools? I used to get all from them as they were the only ones who would post to N.I. Now I buy rivets from China. I still get buckles from them as I like their range of brass ones. I usually/normally only use brass fittings and Le Prevo have good prices. Tools; I bought my first ones from them. Most are good, but they're limited in what they have. I bought a load of tools from Tandy last year, I also got some from China [via ebay] - eg a pair of special pliers which punches 3 lacing holes £35 plus P from Tandy,  £9 from China; exactly the same thing cos they make them for Tandy

You're probably paying an arm and both legs for delivery from UK. Have you tried that Parcel drop-off service? It sort of uses a N.I. post code to a place which then forwards it to a pick-up depot in Ireland - I think thats the gist of how it works

[KingsCountyLeather]

9 hours ago, fredk said:

I've been buying from LePrevo for 17 years - never had a problem with any leather. I tell them the thickness, square footage and type I want and let them send it to me. Only twice did I ask for a small sample first

Hardware; do you mean rivets, buckles and such or tools? I used to get all from them as they were the only ones who would post to N.I. Now I buy rivets from China. I still get buckles from them as I like their range of brass ones. I usually/normally only use brass fittings and Le Prevo have good prices. Tools; I bought my first ones from them. Most are good, but they're limited in what they have. I bought a load of tools from Tandy last year, I also got some from China [via ebay] - eg a pair of special pliers which punches 3 lacing holes £35 plus P from Tandy,  £9 from China; exactly the same thing cos they make them for Tandy

You're probably paying an arm and both legs for delivery from UK. Have you tried that Parcel drop-off service? It sort of uses a N.I. post code to a place which then forwards it to a pick-up depot in Ireland - I think thats the gist of how it works

Thanks Fredk,

i just ordered a couple of things from LePrevo,  I see how I get on. 

I do use Parcel Motel a lot, They're good for some deliveries depending on each U.K.'s delivery charges. Also they're good for the U.K. Sites that don't ship liquids and some electrical goods to Ireland.

i don't have much problem with the tools, I've seen lots of sites for them and there's plenty of recommendations on this forum .

I find the leather more difficult to get my head around... there's such a variety of it!

Trying to decide which leather to buy when you can't touch it or see it in person... I'm the type of person that knows what I will use the item for when it's in front of me.  I ordered a couple of hides from Tandy earlier this year and it was badly marked and cuts (and boot prints?)and the back was so rough... I ended up buying a leather splitter from china to clean the back of it. I can use it all but I have to work my projects around the marks and every piece has to be split. Another piece of waxed shoulder for belts was like bear fur on the back and a cut through the middle where my belts would be. Pigskin lining also was poor.

Theres a small leather shop in Dublin, but it has so little supplies it's not worth going again. The guy there was friendly but he mustn't have much demand for hides? I bought one hide and a pigskin from him and they're were much better than Tandy.

Anyway... I'm rambling. I don't have a specific project in mind at the moment but I'd like to build up a supply of good leather for when I do.

thanks again for your help.