Bags - Stiff or soft leather

[RecoveringA55hole]

I’m attempting a duffle bag and wanted opinions on stiff vs a softer pull up leather.

What I have now is a few sides of 3/4, 5/6, and 8/9 bridle leather. I mocked up a design in each thickness and just wasn’t happy with the way it looked. From every picture I can find out google, it seems most duffle bags aren’t made out of soft leather?

If I went soft, so I use a stiffer leather for the handles and strap?

Suggestions, comments, and pictures welcome! Thanks

[RecoveringA55hole]

Using this bag as an example

https://buffalojackson.com/collections/dry-goods/products/jefferson-leather-duffle

 

they mention it’s a soft veg tan leather. Anyone recommend a side purchase?

[chrisash]

My question is with the end of the zip so low down, what happens in the rain especialy if you have to put the bag down, looks a good chance of the zip edge wicking up the water, other than that a nice looking bag but not in my price range

[terryHHI]

Leather temper is a source of regular discussion in my house. I made my son a backpack out of 5/6 Wickett and Craig English Bridle.  It seemed a little stiff when first made. After a year of use it has a beautiful soft temper.  

I bought W&C 5/6 harness and had them stake it 4 times to soften the leather.  I think staking is the process of running the leather through a set of roller to loosen the fibers.  I’ve made several totes and a doctor bag with this leather and I love it.  Bag below has been used regularly for about a year. It shows some wear mainly from sliding it under airplane seats. 

I’ve made a couple messenger bags with 7/8 W&C harness, not staked.  I was going for a more rustic style and the heavier leather worked great. The 7/8 I used would be too thick/stiff for a duffle bag of the style you showed. 

You can buy a single side from W&C and have it split and stake to your specifications.

I’d guess the Buffalo Jackson leather has been tumbled to soften the leather. 

 

[chrisash]

Thants a great patena, I think leather bags, always looks better with a bit of use and the die not being 100% cover also adds to the look