What Kind of Leather?

[Leda EmBorr]

So I want to make myself a belt, some pouches, maybe even toppers for a short pair of boots.... but when I go online to buy some leather, I have no idea what to get. I'm faced with vegetable tanned hides and oak something-or-other hides and butts and shoulders and bellies.... split hides and such... pigskin, calfskin....

Help!

Here in northern NJ there just aren't any places that sell leather like that. What's available to me in this area are small bags of leather scr-aps at the local craft shop... mostly really thin leather that's like suede on one side and really soft and textury on the other. Can't really use that for much. NYC has leather scr-aps in some fabric stores that I have seen, but that's all.

So, yeah, ok---- I know the difference betwwen suede and leather, and that suede is the inside of the leather... and that rawhide is something that's pretty thick and probably not dyed already...

But does rawhide mean that it's not tanned? And what's tanning anyway? Does that mean it's dried in the sun or something?

Sorry, if these questions seem a bit elementary, but my leather education comes from the local shopping mall... once I bought an italian leather pair of boots that were really nice.... and I have deerskin suede gloves that are really strong.

So all you folks who know about this stuff, please, please, please chime in and enlighten me!

[Ani-Chay Pinn]

What??? You live in New Jersey and you haven't heard of Leather Facts?

Go, you must go. Beyond your wildest dreams, they have, literally, EVERYTHING in leather; skins, hides, belt blanks, twine, cord, leftovers, accessories, in every color and many different animals. They WILL have what you're looking for. But they only take cash. Or credit from customers who have accounts. And you can't just walk in; you have to ring the bell so they can buzz you in. I don't recall if they have much of a selection of leather working tools.

Leather Facts Inc., 262 W 38th Street - New York, NY --- 212-382-2788

[Jeffrek]

For pouches etc you really want a 7-8oz leather. Depending on how your constructing the pouch you may also need some 10oz for the ends to act as a stiffener and give shape.

If your going to dye it yourself to match other stuff then vegetan is probably your best bet.

[Mon-Jas Charan]

Leda ... I use 7 to 8oz Shoulder Leather. I think Tandy is having a sale right now ...

[Leda EmBorr]

adavenport said:

What??? You live in New Jersey and you haven't heard of Leather Facts?

Go, you must go. Beyond your wildest dreams, they have, literally, EVERYTHING in leather; skins, hides, belt blanks, twine, cord, leftovers, accessories, in every color and many different animals. They WILL have what you're looking for. But they only take cash. Or credit from customers who have accounts. And you can't just walk in; you have to ring the bell so they can buzz you in. I don't recall if they have much of a selection of leather working tools.

Leather Facts Inc., 262 W 38th Street - New York, NY --- 212-382-2788

LOL... you sure this is leather I'd be looking for here Ani?!

Can't say I've heard of the place, but it sounds---- intriguing, to say the least!

[Leda EmBorr]

monjas said:

Leda ... I use 7 to 8oz Shoulder Leather. I think Tandy is having a sale right now ...

Ok... but you pretty much have to buy the whole side of beef, right?

[Saberbelt]

Leda

I have some leather here that I have no plans to use - shoot me a PM with what you need and how much, I think I can help so you don't have to buy a side of leather

Dave

[Ani-Chay Pinn]

ledaemborr said:

LOL... you sure this is leather I'd be looking for here Ani?!

Can't say I've heard of the place, but it sounds---- intriguing, to say the least!

Yeah, honestly and truly. They sell leather. Mostly hides; they do sell by the sqaure foot, but they have many sizes--small to big--to pick from. And they do have a bargain bin in back, too. I assume that most of their business is wholesale and for designers, and this is just their retail outlet. Next time you're shopping in the city, you will be amazed by the selection. ;D