KingsCountyLeather Report post Posted October 27, 2017 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? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredk Report post Posted October 28, 2017 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikesc Report post Posted October 28, 2017 buy all now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bodean Report post Posted October 28, 2017 Often opportunity only knocks once. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sonydaze Report post Posted October 28, 2017 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KingsCountyLeather Report post Posted October 28, 2017 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plinkercases Report post Posted October 28, 2017 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!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredk Report post Posted October 28, 2017 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? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt S Report post Posted October 28, 2017 @KingsCountyLeather Do you have any photos of what they have left? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Itch Report post Posted October 28, 2017 We that live out in the country have a saying .. If you don't have to feed it buy it .. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KingsCountyLeather Report post Posted October 28, 2017 9 hours ago, Matt S said: @KingsCountyLeather Do you have any photos of what they have left? From what I saw... photos wouldn’t help you decide to buy anything. It was a very large warehouse that had pallets of leather thrown in a disorderly way on the floor and on the first floor were pallets on wall racks with some order to the hides as in colour and styles (swade, embossed, printed, etc.) it all had a bit of a musty smell as it has laid there for around 17 years, but they all looked in good condition. 11 hours ago, fredk said: That wasn't Boyd Rankin was it by any chance? That name hasn’t come up anywhere? Who is he? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YinTx Report post Posted October 28, 2017 Age and smell might cause you to pause... understand the condition prior to purchase, so you don't end up with useless material. YinTx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredk Report post Posted October 28, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, KingsCountyLeather said: That name hasn’t come up anywhere? Who is he? Boyd and his wife Lynne are Irish Arms [in Cavan afaik]. They have made the equipment for the film 'Arthur', some for 'Braveheart' , 'Vikings' and lots of other major medieval & historic films and programmes He's likely to have been the person who bought that leather. Edited October 28, 2017 by fredk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wlg190861 Report post Posted November 9, 2017 If you have the $$, buy now. bargains' don't come easy, far an few buy buy buy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
