How do I not buy leather like an idiot?

[Brigg]

I am new to leather crafting and I am loving it. What I am not learning, or have not figured out yet, is how to buy leather.

I have been buying cheaper leathers in the correct weights for my projects either as half hides/full skins or as a bulk lot. I have also tried discounted scraps of higher end leathers and learned that I like Rémy Carriat Arbola, Haas Novanappa and Haas Boxcalf...I also love working with Walpier Buttero but it is too firm for my taste.

So far I've gotten a very nice re-tanned Italian navy calfskin hide (hit), Sepici tooling side (miss), Coach saffiano bulk lot (miss).

Would it be best to:

1) Buy name brand leathers by the square foot for specific projects (most expensive/sqft and not possible for Remy Carriat...maybe there is a good alternative?)

2) Buy name brand leather in full or half hides in two or three colors (expensive up front but cheaper/sqft) 

3) Get samples of similar (regularly stocked/produced) leathers from no-name tanneries and then buy full or half hides when ready (time consuming, potential high quantity purchase required).

4) Buy discounted one off hides (potentially the cheapest if you don't make mistakes but can not buy repeatedly)

What would you recommend?

It seems to me that most people I talk to at places like Maverick Leather, Hide House, Springfield leather, etc. are understandably not familiar with the name brand leathers I like.

[mike02130]

Rocky Mountain Leather.

[Webicons]

It all depends on your style and your current skill set.  I think everyone has a hard time selecting the proper leather at first.  I found it very helpful to purchase swatch books from different tanneries.  This way you can see and feel, which goes a long way.  The books range from 10-20 bucks.  I also cut a reference piece from what I order and staple them to a book with the name, vendor, sqft cost, etc. 

you can also purchase thread charts that include the different color and thickness. 

Have fun and post what you make! 

[Brigg]

On 1/31/2021 at 10:26 PM, mike02130 said:

Rocky Mountain Leather.

Yeah this might be the way to go for now. It's expensive but I can get what I want (other than Rémy Carriat).

20 hours ago, Webicons said:

It all depends on your style and your current skill set.  I think everyone has a hard time selecting the proper leather at first.  I found it very helpful to purchase swatch books from different tanneries.  This way you can see and feel, which goes a long way.  The books range from 10-20 bucks.  I also cut a reference piece from what I order and staple them to a book with the name, vendor, sqft cost, etc. 

you can also purchase thread charts that include the different color and thickness. 

Have fun and post what you make! 

Which tanneries do you recommend buying swatch books from?

[Webicons]

4 hours ago, Brigg said:Which tanneries do you recommend buying swatch books from?

That all depends on what you like and what you’re going to make.  
Alran for Chèvre is an easy one.  
Horween is great and the swatches are free (if you’re nice).
Wickett&Craig has monthly sales and is what I learned with.  
Then you get into some pretty expensive stuff like Badalassi, Shinki and Haas (Barenia).  
The list is endless but I do recommend name brand stuff for projects.  Many dealers won’t tell you the tannery and relabel.  You definitely want to be able to get the same stuff if you like the leather. 

[LindanHotAir]

I have purchased from Hide House in Napa, CA.  I was able to get samples and a match for a repair. They had a rough time with earthquake damage but they rebuilt and are up and running.