What to do with scrap?

[chiefjason]

I've given a lot of it away.  A buddies son is getting into knife making so I sent him away with a trunk load of leather to make knife sheaths.  Apparently my scraps are nicer than what he orders online .  Sent about 30 lbs to a boy scout troop along with some tools I've upgraded or bought in lots that I don't need.  

I keep enough around for patterns, roughing out stuff, and welts.  But once it starts pilling up I start looking to give it away.  

If you are looking at making stuff start offering longer belts to use the panels.  Not sure why you would limit your length to 55".  Gotta be some big folks out there looking for belts.  

[billybopp]

You could, of course, sell them.  There is a market for shoulders for sure.  But imagine the marketing possibility of selling accessories made from the very same side that your belts are made from.  10-12 is thick, but if you get a skiver you could make wallets, key clips, and/or any of the things mentioned above.  If you don't want to go to the expense of buying a splitter or the time to produce those items, partner up with somebody that can do those things and sell them to your customers on a consignment basis with your partner.  Everybody wins that way!

- Bill

[Tugadude]

Invest in a splitter and the thickness is no longer a limitation.

[Handstitched]

What size are the off cuts?

I have made belts with off cuts  of belt leather  , make a billet & buckle end, attach each piece in between  with ' D rings' to make a full length belt , some skiving may be invoked to fold the ends over.   Perhaps decorate with concho's, spots , spikes,  etc ? Ladies sometimes like the thin belts, blokes sometimes like the wider ones. 

Another idea, I have made one piece knife cases with belt off cuts too, with some thin leather on both sides  to make an ' expandable' gusset.  Machine sew or by hand. Sold heaps.  I'll have to take a pic. 

HS