Recommend a good leather?

[Loudcherokee]

Hello all, 

So I'm at a point in my leathercraft journey where I would like to move up from the cheaper budget leathers and scrap packs and try to make a few things out of some nicer leather.

Thing is, im not sure what I want to work with. I know I want something that looks nice, ages well, will show a nice patina, and that i can finish the edges on. I'd like to try something that has a nice grain to it, and also maybe something that has a nice sheen to it. Not like patent leather obviously, but something that isn't dull. Maybe a glazed something? 

What is a good leather to try that isn't going to break the bank, will be eye catching, and will not bring me to tears if I mess up a cut or stitch line? 

I'm thinking of possibly some horween Essex or maybe horween Dublin. Chromexcel looks nice as well. I'd like something that is somewhat firm but still supple, especially for journals where I like a 5/6 ounce so it has some body. Wallets 3/4 ounce seems to work well with my designs. 

I'd love to eventually work with shell cordovan but that is WAAAAAAAY down the road. But shell has the kind of finish I'm currently attracted to. Kinda glossy but not reflective. If that makes sense. 

LC

[Tugadude]

One of the nice things about Springfield Leather Co. is they sell many leathers by the square foot.  That way you can try various leathers without breaking the bank and investing in a shoulder or side only to find you don't like it.

You need to tell us what sorts of projects you want to make.  Thickness comes into play too.  

Regarding Horween, they are top notch as is Wickett & Craig and  Hermann Oak.  There are others that might be appropriate, but it depends on the project.

There are also some European tanneries that provide amazing product.

[Loudcherokee]

10 minutes ago, Tugadude said:

One of the nice things about Springfield Leather Co. is they sell many leathers by the square foot.  That way you can try various leathers without breaking the bank and investing in a shoulder or side only to find you don't like it.

You need to tell us what sorts of projects you want to make.  Thickness comes into play too.  

Regarding Horween, they are top notch as is Wickett & Craig and  Hermann Oak.  There are others that might be appropriate, but it depends on the project.

There are also some European tanneries that provide amazing product.

Right now as far as projects go, im really liking the journals im making. This one was made from one of springfields $30 oil tan sides, which is a great deal but I have no way of identifying the leather and they said they can't tell me what it is either. 

As far as thickness, I believe this is a 5/6 ounce and that works really well for these journals that are 8x5 in size. 

I would just like a leather that appears more upscale or finished.

LC

[Tugadude]

That is a very attractive journal cover!  As far as "upscale", you might try a textured leather.  Springfield Leather Co. has a Saffiano leather they are selling in bundles.  You can't choose the colors I suppose, but it is some really nice stuff.  You can find it in other places too, or at least very similar leathers.  I bought some small remnants of a textured leather and made some small items with it.  I found that the textured leather, while beautiful, requires a great deal of precision in your stitching, otherwise it looks bad.  I don't know if it amplifies deviations or what, but once I learned that and acted accordingly it was great.

[Loudcherokee]

4 hours ago, Tugadude said:

That is a very attractive journal cover!  As far as "upscale", you might try a textured leather.  Springfield Leather Co. has a Saffiano leather they are selling in bundles.  You can't choose the colors I suppose, but it is some really nice stuff.  You can find it in other places too, or at least very similar leathers.  I bought some small remnants of a textured leather and made some small items with it.  I found that the textured leather, while beautiful, requires a great deal of precision in your stitching, otherwise it looks bad.  I don't know if it amplifies deviations or what, but once I learned that and acted accordingly it was great.

That saffiano looks nice and may work out for a bag project I have in mind as well. I may have to get a bundle next time I place a springfield order. Im not sure it would be stiff enough for the journals though. I suppose I could make the interior a veg tan 4/5 ounce. 

I really like the look of some of the bridal leathers but they are 10-12 ounce and I'm not sure if it would be an appropriate kind of leather for my intentions, or if I can get it split down to 5/6 ounce, and if it would be wise to do so. They have that sheen that I like. Weaver has some English bridal in Havana that is absolutely gorgeous but its $320 a side for 10/12 ounce. 

ETA: added a picture. This is the look and sheen im wanting, but in a pull up. Im not sure something like that even exists. 

LC

Edited February 14, 2021 by Loudcherokee

[mike02130]

https://www.rmleathersupply.com/collections/view-all-leather

[sbrownn]

The Chahin Bridle leather from American Leather Direct is very nice.  It comes in a lot of colors and weights and instead of being split only, the lighter weights are pasted on the back.  It holds stamping well and when wetted for shaping absorbs moisture well and doesn't change color.

[Loudcherokee]

46 minutes ago, mike02130 said:

https://www.rmleathersupply.com/collections/view-all-leather

This stuff is beautiful! 

 

LC

[Loudcherokee]

27 minutes ago, sbrownn said:

The Chahin Bridle leather from American Leather Direct is very nice.  It comes in a lot of colors and weights and instead of being split only, the lighter weights are pasted on the back.  It holds stamping well and when wetted for shaping absorbs moisture well and doesn't change color.

Thanks for the referral! I saved that website. They have some good looking leather also. 

LC

[Brigg]

I agree with the RM Leather Supply recommendation. I would also look at https://districtleathersupply.com/ They sell really nice Italian veg tan leathers by the square foot. The benefit of the District Leather Supply is they offer leathers in A and B grades so if you are curious about a leather you can buy the B grade piece (still really nice) for a cheaper price and experiment with it...not sure if they have really shiny leathers though.

RM leather sell Museum calf which you might like but it is a chrome tan.