Newbie question about chrome vs veg tan

[Klara]

Back to the original question of chrome vs. veg tan: The way I see it, most serious leatherworking videos and books (Stohlman, Valerie Michael, Nigel Armitage) are made with and for veg tan and the techniques shown just don't work with chrome tan. Advice about working with chrome tan I have found packaged as "fashion accessories in leather", "make your own handbag" - books along these lines. I haven't bought them, so don't have any details. But I believe that chrome tan often enough borriws techniques used with fabric - rolled edges are just a form of hem. And there is a glovers needle with an edged point that cuts through leather and replaces the awl - I strongly suspect it has its name because it was used for sewing gloves.

Personally, I mix and match whatever works for my project (many of my dog collars are veg tan exterior with chrome tan interior over the padding) and I'd recommend you do the same. Figuring out what works is a big part of the fun (at least for me).

Regarding the price of materials vs. the price of finished goods: I once thought the same thing as you. Then I discovered that good-quality veg tan IS expensive (if a price seems too good to be true,  something IS wrong! ). And pros who need to make repeatable goods can't work with scraps and leather from sales, they need to pay full price for a reputable suppliers permanent line. The brilliant thing is that as amateurs that need not concern us: We can buy whatever catches the eye and then find something to do with it. Or have a precise idea in mind and find the perfect piece of leather. And if we don't count our time - because it is a hobby and you don't get any money for sitting in front of the TV either  - the things we make can be a lot cheaper than if we would buy them. 

 

[CrankAddict]

6 hours ago, Klara said:

Regarding the price of materials vs. the price of finished goods: I once thought the same thing as you. Then I discovered that good-quality veg tan IS expensive (if a price seems too good to be true,  something IS wrong! ). And pros who need to make repeatable goods can't work with scraps and leather from sales, they need to pay full price for a reputable suppliers permanent line. The brilliant thing is that as amateurs that need not concern us: We can buy whatever catches the eye and then find something to do with it. Or have a precise idea in mind and find the perfect piece of leather. And if we don't count our time - because it is a hobby and you don't get any money for sitting in front of the TV either  - the things we make can be a lot cheaper than if we would buy them. 

 

You definitely bring up some good points there, and yes, my subsequent trip to the leather store did cost me a bit more   This time I bought Herman Oak vegtan english bridle by the square foot.  That said, it was still "only" $10/sq ft.  I think you could easily make 10 watch straps from 1 sq ft.  Those watch straps could sell for $60 each even as a no-name business.  So $600 of product from $10 of material is on a different scale from woodworking where a $1500 table might have $300 worth of maple in it.  Not that any of this matters for a hobbyist like me, but it was just nice to get into a hobby for once that turned out to be a little cheaper than expected versus the other way around haha.

 

Also, on the topic of education, I ordered the Armitage book as a first step.  Hopefully that will contain a lot of his wisdom in one resource.