what leather do i use

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longbow-hunter

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I'd like to try and make some of my own items like I see here and don't know just what thickness of hide to use. I see they are talked of in ounces and would like some advice on what to use for making: centre seam mocs
winter mocs
knife sheath
shot pouches
thanks for any advice. this is one great web site.
 
I like oiled sides from Leather Unlimited, which are 5 1/2 weight, for mocs. They are really soft, tough and are even tougher with inner-soles, soles and sole pads glued to the bottom with contact cement. The sides run $60 and last a long time for me.
http://leatherunltd.com/leather/oak/oak.html
:hatsoff:
 
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I'm not expert like some of the rest here, but I use elk and deer hides. For knife sheaths, I line them with rawhide, because the skins are pretty thin. For bags, I line them with something a little more firm like canvas. Maybe not HC or PC, but what the....
 
if youre going to make a molded knife sheath you got to use veg. tan leather. as for the oz. and what not ive yet to learn how the leather weight system works :confused:.
 
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Ugly, and not near finished, but elk hide with rawhide liner.
 
Here is a chart that gives relative weights to thickness. http://www.brettunsvillage.com/leather/conversions.html
From what I am told the weight of on square inch of leather cut from a hide is how the weights are figured and hides can have different thicknesses thru out the hide.
4 to 5 oz would be a sturdy shooting bag but not so thick as to make it hard to work the hide.
 
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If you are interested in historically correct leathers in the 1700's to 1800's, then "veg tanned" is appropriate. The "ounces" scheme can be simplified as 1oz equal leather 1/64" thick, and 6oz is leather 6/64" thick.

For moccasins, you might try deer /elk hide, or Tandy's deer tanned leather. It will be soft and stay soft after being wet. Some sew a thick leather sole on to aid in comfort and durability over rocky ground.

Knife sheaths seem best with veg tanned, as it can be wet-molded to shape and stays hard. 6oz works good for me.

Shot snakes seem to need a fairly soft leather, so 2-3oz seems appropriate. There are other items shaped like gourds that are wet-molded to carry shot or ball. As best I can find, shot snakes are a mid-19th century device, and the gourd-like bags are hard to authenticate historically ... but they sure work great and look neat!

Oil tanned, chrome tanned, and latigo leathers are all great products but likely didn't exist in the 17th and 18th century.

If all you want is to make some leather items, you are best served by going to a leather shop in your area, getting advice, and handling yourself the product.

All the best in your efforts.
 
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