Wheres the best place to get leather?

[S.Kenton]

I am wanting to make a possibles bag. Wheres the best place to buy leather? I'm kinda looking for 6 oz cowhide and I need it to be cost effective, due to my hours being cut at work. I seen some on ebay...but wanted some input first from the experts before I bid or buy.
thanks!

 

[Jim Evans]

Tandy :thumbsup:

 

[SpottedBull]

Brettuns Leather is the best I've worked with...
http://www.brettunsvillage.com/leather/

 

[deanscamaro]

I think everyone has their favorite place. Mine is Leather Unlimited at:
http://www.leatherunltd.com/index.html

They seem to have reasonable prices and good customer care. I use their oil tanned, half hides, which run 5-7 oz. I have bought small pieces at Tandy, but have been able to get better prices on the Internet.

:hatsoff: :grin:

 

[DoDabber]

Leatherunlimited is my first choice. Good prices but a little slow in shipping. Definitely cheaper than Tandy.
I also frequent thrift and goodwill stores. Search the ladies clothing area for good deals on quality leather apperal that you can take apart and use.

 

[rabjr]

http://www.theleatherguy.org/

 

[T.C.Albert]

Wickett and Craig...definately.
TCA

 

[Josh Brady]

I get most of my leather from a Amish harness shop. He doesn't stock much light weight leather (2 - 3 oz.), but does stock (4 - 7 oz. & heavier) for about half the price of Tandy.

 

[S.Kenton]

I found that the Leatherguy on ebay had awsome prices compared to the ones I've checked on. I paid 28$ ( shipping included) for an 8 sq ft piece of 5 oz cowhide in chocolate color. The only thing I don't care for is that it's " buffed" which I take it is similiar to suede..mabey? Any how..you guys think that will make a nice possibles bag? I'm kinda, gonna, base mine after the Eastern Longhunter bag..with game hooks and all. Whatcha think?
I thank you all for your much needed input..as usual you guys are a GREAT source of information.
Kary

 

[S.Kenton]

hmmmm.. never thought of checking out Goodwill..I might still do that! Never know whatcha might find..lol

 

[T.C.Albert]

I thought I should mention this just in case...high grade vegetable tanned tooling leather generally does not come pre-dyed and would be an unusual find in a second hand shop in any form indeed...not that its a bad thing, but even though chrome tanned pre-dyed modern commercial type leathers can be easily found and recycled from boots, purses, coats etc, they are an entirely different type of leather and in my experience, projects made using them will turn out accordingly.

 

[S.Kenton]

I wanna say my leather is chrome tanned and pre-dyed. I didn't know there was a difference...So what is the " buffed" leather referring to? I don't know alot about this stuff..obviously..

 

[BillinOregon]

Mr. Kenton: T.C. and others know way more about leather than I do, but one reason some folks like to avoid chrome-tanned leather is because the process wasn't even invented until 1858. Chrome tan is usually more supple than vegetable-tanned, and holds its shape even when exposed to water. But veg-tanned is just a lot more traditional, and also allows the leather to molded almost like clay, and makes carving and tooling a joy, even for a total klutz like "meinzelf."

 

[T.C.Albert]

Kary..what Bill said...but about "buffed" leather, maybe its been actually buffed down to even and correct the flesh side. Other than that I have no idea what it means...to me,buffing leather means to shine and polish an applied wax coating...while buff leather refers to its color...and "buff" hides or robes come from the plains critter bearing that moniker ..(sorry, had to throw that in :grin: )There are a lot of terms both in the industry and in general use that really confuse me about leather all the time...but if it is sueded like you mention earlier, that probably means its a split...sorry I cant say more with out actually having the leather in hand..however, per one definition buffed leather is:
"Sandpapering the leather with sandpaper or emery paper for various reasons such as the creation of a suede like nap on suede, a nubuck finish on grain, or for the preparation of corrected grain leather. Sometimes done on the flesh side to tidy up its appearance."


TC

 

[DoDabber]

I agree. pre-dyed leather is difficult to come by in any thrift type store. I avoid any chrome dyed leather. It will eat a carbon steel knife blade in about six weeks if the blade is left in the sheath. I have run into some good deals though. A lot of suede and some light weight leather vest, mini skirts etc.. These I use for small possible bags, medicene bags and things like that.

 

[S.Kenton]

THANKS GUYS..good info from all of ya!..Did not know about the chromed tanned leather eating knife blades..I have my own sheath and will attach that to my new bag..Thanks again!
Kary

 

[wolfchoker]

For one of the largest suppliers of Leather and hides of all makes and models, contact www.hidehouse.com They have several locations in CA. and the prices are great and discounted for larger orders. They have a wholesale price structure for resellers and a price for the individual user. If you have somebody in a business. see if you can have them order what you want, pay them the money and have them order it and use their tax number.

 

[Brasilikilt]

I thought I would mention that I used to work for an upholstery shop.
They would throw away some rather large pieces of leather after cutting everything they needed out.
Also, when they re-upholstered old furniture they would simply throw all that leather away as well.

I managed to scrounge a whole mountain of scrap, some pieces almost as big as a whole deer hide.

When looking to buy leather, stop and ask your local upholsterer first...it helps to bring doughnuts

 

[S.Kenton]

GREAT IDEA..BUT..I'm afraid the doughnuts wouldn't make it to the upholstery shop..specially the bavarian cream.. :grin:

 

[MSW]

FWIW, my eldest daughter runs a leather working business making stuff for Renaissance Faires. She uses HideHouse and is very happy with their service and prices