How do i stiffen Deer Leather?

[gregrlevy]

Hi

I have some deer leather that was chrome tanned. But it is very soft not very stiff like veg tan. I want to make wallets out of the deer. Is there a way to stiffen the deer leather?

 

Thanks

Greg

[Professor]

Try a thin stiff lining material. Perhaps four ounce veg tan glued flesh side to flesh side to the deer skin. I've used thin stiff ridged plastic upholstery material to stiffen soft pigskin. I oriented the ridges of the plastic to follow folds in the finished project.

You might also try impregnating the flesh side with a lacquer wood finish.

[gregrlevy]

Thanks

Greg

[LatigoAmigo]

7 hours ago, gregrlevy said:

Is there a way to stiffen the deer leather?

I have had pretty good luck with what is referred to as "bonded leather." Here is a link to an Etsy site that sells it, and there are others. The big advantage is that the material is thin, strong, even color and relatively inexpensive. I have used it successfully many times.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/757729222/salpa-bonded-leather-reinforcement?ref=landingpage_similar_listing_top-3&frs=1

[gregrlevy]

Hi

 

Thanks a lot! This looks like it will do the trick. Do you use contact cement to attach it to other leather?

 

Thanks again

Greg

[LatigoAmigo]

3 hours ago, gregrlevy said:

Thanks a lot! This looks like it will do the trick. Do you use contact cement to attach it to other leather?

I sure do.