Tanned Black Ostrich Hides, What to do? & Introduction...

[AlamoJoe2002]

Back in the late '90's I closed my Ostrich Farm in Criner, OK.  This week while going thru and thinning out my storage shed I came across a box of 8 hides I had tanned by Capital Leather, Johnstown, NY in 2002. I have the invoice and intend to call the tannery to see how they are doing. I need a few ideas on what to do with the ostrich hides. 

I skinned two couches and have really improved on my hand stitching the soft chrome tanned upholstery leather. My attention to hand stitching detail and learning the assembly process of a simple zippered coin purse is getting better. My first attempts are real POS's!

I use generic stitching chisels, 002 John Jams Needles, 0.8mm ritza thread, Uniters Edge Paint and a homemade stitching pony made from the beautiful maple wood from one of the 40 year old couches. I'm not good enough to use marking chisels and a diamond shaped awl. 

I plan to continue making the coin purses/wallets for gifts to family and friends. I want to make two belts for myself...so I need a few straps of belt worthy cow leather...

So...what do I do with the ostrich hides? I'm not experienced with grading...by a few are blemish free in the full quill diamond area. 

Attached is the 4th coin purse I made. I'm beginning to feel like I just might have the patience, interest and pride in learning leather work.

Feed back is requested...

Take Care, AlamoJOE

 

 

[AlamoJoe2002]

So much feedback...what am I doing here?

[crmiller84]

Do you know approximately the thickness of the ostrich hides you have, and are they supple or stiff?  That info would be somewhat necessary to give you any truly good suggestions.

If it is thinner and on the supple side, small wallets/clutches/coin purses are an awesome use of ostrich.  If you have a good cowhide in maybe 6-7 oz to line it with it would also make a beautiful belt.  Inlays in other items are a good use also (holsters/knife sheathes/etc.)

If it is relatively stiff and/or thicker, I'm not sure what I would attempt with it.

Also, what condition is it in?  In storage since '02 would have me concerned that it is very dried out and brittle, but I could definitely be wrong.  I built a holster for a friend out of 12oz saddle skirting that he had in his garage for about 15 years, and after a good couple coats of neatsfoot it worked fairly well.

[BentleyLeather]

I'm not expert but here goes nothing.. 

The thickness will more or less determine what you can do with it. I don't see why grading matters because you have what you have. If one has a blemish use a different area or make a smaller project with it. 

If you are happy with your work then cut it up and make something.

I would recommend you get a decent leather and perfect your skills, pattern and the project you intend to make before cutting on an expensive exotic hide. 

If you get a smaller thread you will clean up that stitching some. 

Or you might simply trade someone else a hide in exchange for them making you an item? It would be tough to determine what could be made without seeing it first hand. 

Just a few ideas. I hope you can find some meaning in it. 

 

[AlamoJoe2002]

Thanks gents. Sometimes I have no clue...and other times, I have no clue...

The hides are thin, supple and soft. Looks new and was definitely packed well for the long storage time. Not very thick...so I think a backing would be necessary to line it for a belt. Not dried out...very hydrated...

I like the idea of trading for some pre-cut in width for 8-10 oz leather to try my hand at making a few belts. All the items I'm making are for gifting...except for a belt and wallet I will make for myself. Anyone in my area want to trade?

Oh, I used 0.8 mm ritaz tiger thread and generic stitching chisels...I don't know the stitch per inch (SPI) on the chisels, but I need another set. What SPI chisels would be used for 0.8mm thread verses 0.6mm thread?

Thanks again! JOE

Edited May 27, 2020 by AlamoJoe2002

[RockyAussie]

@AlamoJoe2002 Working with ostrich and working with cowhide leather are a way different world of experience and way more so for a beginner. I would look for someone that has a good amount of experience with working with ostrich and do some trade deal for the skins if possible. Ostrich skin on the back is normally not that well smoothed for working with and without splitters and skiving machines and the experience to not cut through the quill areas when doing these operations takes a lot of time and experience. I in no way want to curb your enthusiasm to make something from it but I warn you that without a lot of specialist equipment you are going to have a very hard time. Skiving by hand will be near to impossible and if the edges are not folded then you will have a very rough and soft edge to try and make look any good. A 12 sq' skin will normally be thinner and perhaps easier to do something with but your average 15' sq' up will generally be a lot thicker and challenging to work with. Note that in the picture of this bag below that all of the edges have been folded in after skiving and doing all of this without cutting the quill mussel area area is not very easy.  This would have been around a 15 sq footer.

I hope that you find some solutions that work for you.