Expensive Hobby

[JimNiner]

I’ve only been doing leather work for about a year but have come to the conclusion that this is an expensive hobby- at least the way I’ve been approaching it. I really admire the talented craftsmen that post on this site and aspire to get close to that level of work. I made a few wallets and belts - all as gifts - and found that the leather became pretty costly. I used Herman Oak precut blanks doubled up and hand sewn and the belts probably cost me $35 each with the hardware included.  The wallets weren’t bad expense wise but I did a bag and wound up spending another big chunk of change. I suspect there are much more economical ways to make these projects- I would certainly like to hear any suggestions. I was a woodturner prior to trying leather and I guess I was spoiled with the free wood. I enjoy leather but I am wondering about the long term since leather (and everything else) is getting more expensive. Do most leather crafters rely on selling some products just to finance the hobby?

[Hags]

I was the same way a couple of years ago. I tried the budget shoulders, 4 for $100 oil tanned sides, and other less expensive routes. I found that while there are a few worthy mentions (maverick leather in Oregon has some great sales), I just get more value out of a side of Hermann Oak. For me, I do sell a few holsters.  This helps defray the cost a great bit. I'm looking at $250 to the door here for 7/8 oz B grade side, and the same for a 4/5 oz side. I try hard to find a purpose for all the scrap I generate,  but still have a big box under the bench. I find i can use small pieces of 4/5 for a lot of speed loader pouches, wrist bands, mag pouches etc. But, there also I have invested time in making quite a few molds for these items. So I guess yes, it is not cheap, but let me ask you. Do you fish? That ain't cheap either...

[fredk]

1. don't buy pre-cut blanks or pieces. Buy the leather by the square foot. It works out waaaaaay cheaper in the long term. Buy from a seller who quotes $X per square foot, not from a place that prices $Y for approx A to B square feet because you'll most likely get a smaller piece for the money, thus the sq ft price will be higher

2. shop around to buy that leather, you can get quality leather from many places and prices can vary as well

3. If having to pay shipping or delivery to you consider investing and buying in more than you need now. Its the same delivery charge from my supplier for one piece of hide of 20 sq ft as it is for three hides that size

[JimNiner]

Thanks for the replies and advice. I don’t mind the upfront costs for tools and machinery - it’s the ongoing cost of the raw material- Leather. As mentioned , there are better ways to buy leather than what I have been doing - mainly for convenience. Thanks again.

[BattleAx]

Check out Wickett & Craig you buy the sides from them I have been using them for years and have had no issues. Here is a link to there website.

 http://wickett-craig.com

 

 

[jrdunn]

... Or consider getting your pilot's license,  Just sayin'.

[Tugadude]

Free wood?

[chrisash]

There is another different side to leatherwork; and that is using Chrome leather, far cheaper but uses the same skills

[Handstitched]

G'Day,

Not sure how this compares in the US & UK, (really ex$y I'm guessing), but I pay $250-300au per  4mm veg tan butt or shoulder, its what I use for belts etc.  3.5mm veg tan side is around $300+ . The 5-6mm heavy VT ,  was $550au - for a shoulder. I was warned that will be higher by the next time I buy some more, I'm dreading it. Not all of it is Aussie, some is Italian.   I don't worry about delivery, I drive 2-3 hrs and pick it up. 

Way back when... I was kinda lucky I guess, that I started my 'hobby-to-be-business'  when tools &  materials were cheap- ish, S/H tools were still available, and so were the 'ye olde( paper)  classifieds' .  But now its all online  , tools, materials,  and delivery costs can really mount up.... especially now.  

If I was to start it as a hobby today, I might think twice about it. 

HS

[Tugadude]

Funny that there's a parallel topic about why the hobby/craft doesn't need to cost a lot...

Everyone finds their own "happy medium".  If you cannot afford or don't have access to certain tools, you find work-arounds.  That's always been the case.  My father was a farmer in the first half of his life and there weren't any local stores where you could purchase parts for all of the various farm implements.  So if the tractor broke down, you found a way to fix it.  If you needed a part that you couldn't get but the fields couldn't wait, you figured out a way to make one.  The farmers could fabricate all sorts of things when the situation demanded it.

So some purchase top-shelf Terry Knipshieldknives and others use snap-off razor knives from The Dollar Store.  I think it is soon to be the $1.50 store, but never mind.  

Regarding leather, places like Springfield Leather offer discount sides for as little as $30.00.  You can do a lot of practice and learning with that amount of leather.  But yes, if you only buy HO pre-cuts, you are taking the expensive road.

I'm not saying the $30.00 sides are equal to the HO blanks, not at all.  But I've used several of them and had excellent results.