- Joined
- May 6, 2014
- Messages
- 17,422
- Reaction score
- 16,411
I visited our local Tandy Store in the new location and sure enough I waited too long for one of the sales. (Story of my life.) At least I was able to pick up some items/supplies I needed and had a chance to look over the Stoned Oil and Kodiak Oil Tanned Leathers that Brown Bear has mentioned he likes to use for Shot Pouches/Shooting bags. So everyone knows what leathers I am referring to, I linked them below.
Stoned Oil Sides, 4 to 4.5 oz. https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/stoned-oil-cowhide-leather-sides
Kodiak, 4 to 5 oz https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/kodiak-oil-tanned-cowhide-leather-sides
My first impression when looking at them was, “These are NOT the Oil Tanned leathers I remembered from the 70’s/80’s.” The colour goes all the way through the leather nicely and they were not nearly as “oily” as I remember oil tanned leather. So that was a very good thing.
Now, I was taken aback that the hides were not as thick as I would expect in the Ounce size ranges mentioned and thinner than comparable Veg Tanned Leather in the same ranges. The Stoned Oil Hides were more like 3 to 3 1/2 oz. had they been Veg Tanned and the Kodiak hides were more like 3 1/2 oz. to 4 oz. or only slightly thicker. The Kodiak hides were noticeably thicker, but not by much at all. ( I do want to say I am not a full time leather worker. So someone else who is a full time leather worker may be a little more accurate than I, in these estimates.)
OK, so why did the leather seem thinner than the “regular” thickness one might expect in that Oz. weight of Veg Tanned leather? The very knowledgeable Lady who assisted me, explained that due to the Oils/Waxes put into these hides, they were heavier than comparable thicknesses of Veg Tanned Leather that does not have the Oils/Waxes in it. I am so used to the Oz. designations of leather meaning a certain thickness, that I forgot it was from the actual weight of the leather. Sort of a duuhh moment for me, but very important to know.
Next, I was extremely eager to feel the Temper of the leather to see how flexible it was. My first Shooting Pouch I made was of the wrong Temper leather (too flexible), before I knew better, and all it did was fold in on itself when I reached inside to get something. (All that work and it proved useless as a Shooting Bag.) Well, I was in for some surprises here as well.
The thinner Stoned Oil Sides had what I consider a better Temper than the thicker Kodiak Sides. Now, THAT just did not make sense, at first. However, it all has to do with how the smooth/grain side of the leather is finished. The thicker Kodiak sides had machine worked graining and the thinner Stone Oiled Hides were smooth. That impressed worked graining on the thicker Kodiak Hides work-softens the leather, so it made it more flexible than had it not been done. Further, I have to say I did not like the look of the machine worked graining for a Shooting Pouch/Bag. It did not stand out as much on the Brown Kodiak Sides, but it REALLY stood out on the Black Kodiak Sides. Now I realize for those who are not concerned about making a more period correct looking pouch, the machine worked graining on the Kodiak hides doesn’t mean anything. For those who are concerned about a more correct appearance and texture, the Stoned Oil Sides are the way to go, IMO.
Period “Stuffed” Leather was smooth on the grain/smooth side and they hand worked oils and waxes into the leather, especially on the rough/flesh side. Though this process is done mainly by machines with the Stoned Oil Sides, I found that leather to be a very good imitation of period leather and in a thickness that many people prefer for a Shooting Pouch/Bag. So now I am going to watch the monthly sales pamphlets and see when the Stoned Oil Sides come up on sale. Personally, I will pass on the Kodiak Oiled Sides for reasons mentioned above, though they seem like they would make a good leather for those who are not concerned about a more period correct leather.
My thanks to Brown Bear for a very good tip on the Stoned Oil Hides. :thumbsup: :hatsoff:
Gus
Stoned Oil Sides, 4 to 4.5 oz. https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/stoned-oil-cowhide-leather-sides
Kodiak, 4 to 5 oz https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/kodiak-oil-tanned-cowhide-leather-sides
My first impression when looking at them was, “These are NOT the Oil Tanned leathers I remembered from the 70’s/80’s.” The colour goes all the way through the leather nicely and they were not nearly as “oily” as I remember oil tanned leather. So that was a very good thing.
Now, I was taken aback that the hides were not as thick as I would expect in the Ounce size ranges mentioned and thinner than comparable Veg Tanned Leather in the same ranges. The Stoned Oil Hides were more like 3 to 3 1/2 oz. had they been Veg Tanned and the Kodiak hides were more like 3 1/2 oz. to 4 oz. or only slightly thicker. The Kodiak hides were noticeably thicker, but not by much at all. ( I do want to say I am not a full time leather worker. So someone else who is a full time leather worker may be a little more accurate than I, in these estimates.)
OK, so why did the leather seem thinner than the “regular” thickness one might expect in that Oz. weight of Veg Tanned leather? The very knowledgeable Lady who assisted me, explained that due to the Oils/Waxes put into these hides, they were heavier than comparable thicknesses of Veg Tanned Leather that does not have the Oils/Waxes in it. I am so used to the Oz. designations of leather meaning a certain thickness, that I forgot it was from the actual weight of the leather. Sort of a duuhh moment for me, but very important to know.
Next, I was extremely eager to feel the Temper of the leather to see how flexible it was. My first Shooting Pouch I made was of the wrong Temper leather (too flexible), before I knew better, and all it did was fold in on itself when I reached inside to get something. (All that work and it proved useless as a Shooting Bag.) Well, I was in for some surprises here as well.
The thinner Stoned Oil Sides had what I consider a better Temper than the thicker Kodiak Sides. Now, THAT just did not make sense, at first. However, it all has to do with how the smooth/grain side of the leather is finished. The thicker Kodiak sides had machine worked graining and the thinner Stone Oiled Hides were smooth. That impressed worked graining on the thicker Kodiak Hides work-softens the leather, so it made it more flexible than had it not been done. Further, I have to say I did not like the look of the machine worked graining for a Shooting Pouch/Bag. It did not stand out as much on the Brown Kodiak Sides, but it REALLY stood out on the Black Kodiak Sides. Now I realize for those who are not concerned about making a more period correct looking pouch, the machine worked graining on the Kodiak hides doesn’t mean anything. For those who are concerned about a more correct appearance and texture, the Stoned Oil Sides are the way to go, IMO.
Period “Stuffed” Leather was smooth on the grain/smooth side and they hand worked oils and waxes into the leather, especially on the rough/flesh side. Though this process is done mainly by machines with the Stoned Oil Sides, I found that leather to be a very good imitation of period leather and in a thickness that many people prefer for a Shooting Pouch/Bag. So now I am going to watch the monthly sales pamphlets and see when the Stoned Oil Sides come up on sale. Personally, I will pass on the Kodiak Oiled Sides for reasons mentioned above, though they seem like they would make a good leather for those who are not concerned about a more period correct leather.
My thanks to Brown Bear for a very good tip on the Stoned Oil Hides. :thumbsup: :hatsoff:
Gus
Last edited by a moderator:
