Need help on weights for Dopp kits and Purses

[SilverForgeStudio]

So I will be trying to cobble together some Dopp kits for the fellows in the family this year- and the ladies will be getting bags... Hoping to get some answers for a couple of bag and Dopp related questions:

1- I have 9-10 oz veg tan but this is way too stiff to think about turning right-side out... Is 4-5 oz the standard for Dopp kits?

2- I want the messenger bag(s) to take a bit of abuse so Im looking at 5-6 oz... is this getting into bulky territory (having never done this- I know it is ambitious but I have looked a lot of places and my search-karma produces no results about weights of leathers discussed for what type of bags vs. abuse)

3- Would Horween brown be overkill?

I truly appreciate the help and assistance- like I said in the first posting- hopefully you guys can get a chuckle out of my noob ideas and nudge me in the right direction(s)

Be safe and as always- At Peace! 

[Stetson912]

I think you have the right weights. 4-5 would be the top end for a dopp kit. And 5-6 d would be top end for bags depending on style etc. Basic totes can even go a bit heavier. 

 

[arz]

We're also getting ready to do some turned purses/bags. We have learned that 2mm (5-6oz) Italian vegtan (Tempesti) will not work. It is just too stiff and it wrinkles once you turn it. We're now looking for a tumbled leather around 1.5-1.8mm (about 4oz). Our chrome tanned leather at 1.5mm turns nicely.

I would buy Horween chromexcel in 4-5oz if I could. But it is very expensive here in Europe 

The best option for us is Tempesti Elbamatt which is a waxy pull up leather (vegtan) but not tumbled.

I would be curious what leather others use and of what thickness...

[Matt S]

I use 2mm medium-temper heavily waxed chrome-tan for these wash bags. That's about 5oz. Still technically at the prototyping stage as I'm only 90% happy with the result. They're pretty difficult to do in this leather, even having skived all the edges. Softer leathers are definitely easier -- I made one in CF Stead repello, which is the same thickness but a much softer temper. Far easier, both to sew and to turn.

[arz]

1 hour ago, Matt S said:

I use 2mm medium-temper heavily waxed chrome-tan for these wash bags. That's about 5oz. Still technically at the prototyping stage as I'm only 90% happy with the result. They're pretty difficult to do in this leather, even having skived all the edges. Softer leathers are definitely easier -- I made one in CF Stead repello, which is the same thickness but a much softer temper. Far easier, both to sew and to turn.

Looks nice! A softer leather is easier to work with. We just made a bag from a Sedgwick lacing hide (2.0-2.2mm). It was hard getting the gusset glued in place (it was not turned).