Jump to content

Recommended Posts

  • Members
Posted

I have been buying Tandy double shoulders when on sale, 9-10 oz for my amateurish holster attempts. I want to try somebody else’s product. Many other suppliers offer single shoulders or sides. I like bigger pieces for less waste of several small projects. What is the upside/ downside of shoulders vs. sides? Will thickness be consistent on sides? Thanks. 

Posted
1 hour ago, 327fed said:

I have been buying Tandy double shoulders when on sale, 9-10 oz for my amateurish holster attempts. I want to try somebody else’s product. Many other suppliers offer single shoulders or sides. I like bigger pieces for less waste of several small projects. What is the upside/ downside of shoulders vs. sides? Will thickness be consistent on sides? Thanks. 

Not a definitive answer but the best part of a hide (and usually the thickest) is the top part of a side. it can also be the longest if you're making belts. It's also the most scar free part of a hide because the shoulders and rump get itched a lot, sometimes on sharp stuff like barbed wire.The lower part of a shoulder and the belly can be thinner and stretchier. Someone will correct me if I've got anything wrong and no doubt come up with more answers.

  • Members
Posted

Ditto TOXO. I buy sides for much of the same reasons as above. I also feel I get the most sq feet for my $. As above, I use the back or top of the leather for belts. I then cut off the belly and use that for dog leashes or narrow straps, and generally lighter use stuff. The in between or bend part I use for holsters. You have an advantage in that you can see the leather you are getting.  I cant due to location, so I buy Hermann Oak to be sure of the quality I'm getting. I buy b grades, but you may want to try a craft grade HO, you may be surprised at the difference in the leather.

Not so retired RN. Living on the Washington Peninsula.

 

 

  • CFM
Posted
5 hours ago, 327fed said:

Thanks. So craft grade is above B?

No, Craft is more like C.

Hoka Hey! Today, tomorrow, next week, what does it matter?

  • Members
Posted

Download the Springfield Leather Catalog.  It has an extensive description of how to choose leather for your projects.  Also, they have some Youtube videos addressing leather quality, grades, etc.  Hermann Oak tooling leather is my favorite because of its consistent substance.  I buy sides and can use most of a side for straps to make tack.

  • Contributing Member
Posted (edited)

RIDICULOUS to pay good money for bad leather.  The difference between a side of "C" (or worse) leather and A grade is like $20 (im talkng holster leather since that's what you stated you were making).

The leather world has become BURIED in retailers with pretty stories about why you should buy their CRAP and thank them for supplying it.

Stick to Hermann Oak or Wickett-Craig leather.  If you don't want to store / stock 10 or more sides (as H.O. requires), you can and should call Cheryl at Goliger Leather, and she'll sell you individual sides.  Very solid, very clean Hermann Oak leather.  Costs me a bit more because of shipping from CA, but allows me to get a side or two of a weight I wouldn't ordinarily stock.

Just FYI... Hermann Oak FROM Hermann Oak is $7.81 per foot.  I buy backs (sides with belly removed) and that's currently $9.26.  Not $10...Not $12....Not $15... like you see from some of these "retailers".  Anybody selling you a PIECE of $8/ft leather for $12-15 per foot is NOT doing you a favor.  Shouldn't be necessary to say that, and yet these days ....

http://www.hermannoakleather.com/products-and-pricing/strap

 

3 minutes ago, 327fed said:

Wow. That Springfield catalog is a PHD in leather . Answered so many questions. Saw lots of exotics I never knew existed. 

How much do you pay for stories?  Cuz I can talk ALL DAY LONG if I'm getting paid for it. ;)

 

Edited by JLSleather

JLS  "Observation is 9/10 of the law."

IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.

5 leather patterns

Posted
On 1/9/2022 at 12:25 PM, JLSleather said:

RIDICULOUS to pay good money for bad leather.  The difference between a side of "C" (or worse) leather and A grade is like $20 (im talkng holster leather since that's what you stated you were making).

The leather world has become BURIED in retailers with pretty stories about why you should buy their CRAP and thank them for supplying it.

Stick to Hermann Oak or Wickett-Craig leather.  If you don't want to store / stock 10 or more sides (as H.O. requires), you can and should call Cheryl at Goliger Leather, and she'll sell you individual sides.  Very solid, very clean Hermann Oak leather.  Costs me a bit more because of shipping from CA, but allows me to get a side or two of a weight I wouldn't ordinarily stock.

Just FYI... Hermann Oak FROM Hermann Oak is $7.81 per foot.  I buy backs (sides with belly removed) and that's currently $9.26.  Not $10...Not $12....Not $15... like you see from some of these "retailers".  Anybody selling you a PIECE of $8/ft leather for $12-15 per foot is NOT doing you a favor.  Shouldn't be necessary to say that, and yet these days ....

http://www.hermannoakleather.com/products-and-pricing/strap

 

How much do you pay for stories?  Cuz I can talk ALL DAY LONG if I'm getting paid for it. ;)

 

I did not realize that Hermann Oak was doing 10/sides minimum. Thats not that bad at all....


Trevor 

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...