Fellow Canadians! Where do you buy your leather?

[jshep]

I've typically just bought from the shop in town. But at the rate I go through leather it's adding up and got me thinking that I should consider other options, everything else I use I tend to buy wholesale and this got me going down the rabbit hole of the internet trying to find a Canadian tannery or wholesale option. I've had no luck with this with the exception of a couple guys that tan leather out of deer hides or I might find a supplier that's little cheaper but then the shipping costs within Canada make it not worth it. Right now I'm using around 6-8oz latigo leather for strapping on backpacks and paying around $15CAD a sqf which seems to be the going rate in Canada for retail? Has anyone found a good online supplier, tannery or wholesale in Canada? Similar to Hide House or anything like that? There are quite a few options in the US but as other Canadians know it's the shipping and duties that kill that option and make it too pricey. Curious if anyone has found anything in Canada? Or if you're Canadian and buy from the US what's your experience like and who have you used?

[HBARK]

I get my leather and a lot of supplies from Weaver in Ohio.I get some things from Tandy in Canada but have not been happy with their leather for quite some time.Weavers is usually pretty quick and have never ,had any issues with the leather that they sent.I do not know of any other suppliers in Canada.

 

[Sheilajeanne]

I live within easy driving distance of the nearest Tandy's, so I can make sure the leather I buy is up to snuff. You're right about the shipping fees from the U.S. 

[Northmount]

Vancouver https://www.lonsdaleleather.com/leather

Vancouver Upholstery leather https://www.vanvilleleather.com/products

Longview Leather, south of Calgary AB  http://www.longviewleather.com/

OA Leather Supply,  Saskatoon SK  on FaceBook

Buckskin Leather with locations in Nanaimo, Calgary, and Edmonton https://www.buckskinleather.com/

And there was another here in Calgary that I can't find at the moment.

Edmonton https://www.halfordsmailorder.com/hides-leather-and-fur

Nanaimo might be the best option for you to check out.

Tom

[Arturomex]

I have to believe there's more than one leather store in Vancouver but are you referring to Lonsdale Leather when your say, "the shop in town?"  I don't really see them as a big latigo supplier but I've used several veg tan double shoulders that were OK. Not great but OK.

You have Tandy in Surrey.  As Sheiliajeanne notes, there's a lot to be said for being able to pick your own leather or, depending on the quality on any given day, picking not to pick any leather. It's disappointing to walk out of a shop without the leather you went in for but not nearly as disappointing as opening a package of second grade leather you paid a premium price for on the 'net.. It's worth checking the Tandy Canada website periodically to see what's on sale. I imagine there are a lot of opinions about the quality of leather from Tandy. I find that sometimes the quality is there, sometimes it's not. This, of course, makes it very difficult to plan any kind of production.

Another source you might want to check out is Buckskin Leather. They have B&M stores in Calgary, Edmonton and Nanaimo. If you're talking a fair size order, it's definitely worth while talking price with these folks. Web site here: https://www.buckskinleather.com/ I see that they are now also a Weaver Leathercraft distributor. 

[Hardrada]

These are the suppliers that I've used so far:

In Canada:

• https://www.lonsdaleleather.com/ — I've bought leather and tools and supplies from them. They're in Vancouver and they ship by post, so transit times are slow (~1 week to Regina).
• https://www.longviewleather.com/ — Bought tools from them only. They're in Alta., so the ETA is within 3 days.
• Tandy, of course, but I haven't been happy with their leather either. I was satisfied with the chrome-free pig lining and suede, but not with how they packed them (they folded them. Yeah, atrocious I know, I wasn't impressed).

In the US:

• https://www.rmleathersupply.com/ — I've been buying most of my leather from them. Also purchased tools and supplies. Transit times can be slow (unless you pay for faster options, which can get expensive—it all depends on how quickly you need the goods). For small parcels, I've paid no duties.
• https://www.buckleguy.com/ — Purchased W&C English bridle and hardware. Not impressed with their hardware being made in China; so, other than leather, I think the only hardware I'll buy from then from now on are their Riri zippers which are made in Italy and/or their CS Osborne tools.

Also, in Canada (but I've not purchased anything from them so I can't tell you about them from personal experience):

https://www.buckskinleather.com/ — They're based out of Alta. but have branches elsewhere. They do not have an online shop, so you'll have to phone them (which might be a better option, actually).

Edited February 2, 2020 by Hardrada
Addendum

[Arturomex]

On the same track as Tom, there. Not to hi-jack this thread but I wonder, Tom, if you you've ever dealt with Buckskin in Calgary? I was actually in the Nanaimo store this afternoon. 

Regrds,

Arturo

[Hardrada]

The main issue I've found is that no single supplier carries everything you may need, which requires ordering from multiple sources with the subsequent drain on your pocket: the only ones happy about this are the courier companies.

[Arturomex]

4 minutes ago, Hardrada said:

The main issue I've found is that no single supplier carries everything you may need, which requires ordering from multiple sources with the subsequent drain on your pocket: the only ones happy about this are the courier companies.

I couldn't agree more. And it seems to me that any time I've imported something worthwhile from the US, customs brokers have been quite gleeful as well.

Edited February 2, 2020 by Arturomex

[Northmount]

1 hour ago, Arturomex said:

I wonder, Tom, if you you've ever dealt with Buckskin in Calgary?

Was in front of their store one day a couple years ago while on other business, and not feeling to great that day.  I've never been in their store, but need to check it out some day.

Tom

 

[Hardrada]

3 hours ago, Arturomex said:

And it seems to me that any time I've imported something worthwhile from the US, customs brokers have been quite gleeful as well.

Oh man, don't even get me started about the Canadian BullShit Agency...