A lot of leather hides.

[KingsCountyLeather]

Hi all,

Ive come across a closed shoe factory which has an almost endless supply of leather hides for a small leather crafter like me.

they’re not free but are very cheap!  Most of the leather is soft, like bag leather. All chrome tan. Embossed, plain, printed, elk, bovine, etc...

I’ve only started leather working this year, so not very experienced. 

My problem is I don’t know if I should buy some of the leather for future use when I’m more experienced? Or should I let it go and buy leather as needed for specific projects? Or learn how to make bags and make a fortune from cheap leather?

Any suggestions? 

[fredk]

Buy, buy, buy! You'll not get the chance again. The more you buy perhaps you'll get a better deal on it too. Buy as much as you can afford.

Its too good to miss up. Its all very useful; you can make all sorts of small items, plus it can be used for lining insides of bags etc

[mikesc]

buy all now.

[Bodean]

Often opportunity only knocks once.

[Sonydaze]

I always buy leather when the price is excellent.  I often am not sure what it is going to get used for, but it always does get used over time.

 

[KingsCountyLeather]

The advice sounds good... but keep in mind, there’s pallets upon pallets of this leather, maybe up to 100 pallets. There was veg tanned leather and someone making re-enactment gear for Viking movies bought it all. Someone else bought all the good machines. Tonne’s of clickers were sold as scrap metal.

almost all of the leather is 2-3mm or more so it’s heavier than lining. But none is heavy enough for belts unless doubled up, it feels too flexible.

[plinkercases]

Sole leather went for armour I bet!

I wouldn't say buy 100 pallets!!! but buy what you can afford and have space for... if it is chrome leather for the uppers it is really most likely you will use for (if not shoes) bags/liners/box covering - maybe book sleeves...vests ?. so if you think you will use it, can afford it, and can store it GO FOR IT. and send pics!!

[fredk]

8 hours ago, KingsCountyLeather said:

The advice sounds good... but keep in mind, there’s pallets upon pallets of this leather, maybe up to 100 pallets. There was veg tanned leather and someone making re-enactment gear for Viking movies bought it all. Someone else bought all the good machines. Tonne’s of clickers were sold as scrap metal.

almost all of the leather is 2-3mm or more so it’s heavier than lining. But none is heavy enough for belts unless doubled up, it feels too flexible.

That wasn't Boyd Rankin was it by any chance?

[Matt S]

@KingsCountyLeather Do you have any photos of what they have left?

[Itch]

We that live out in the country have a saying .. If you don't have to feed it buy it ..