Are these cosmetic or could it effect the strength?

[wildmanh]

I cut out a bunch of leather the other day to make Machete sheaths with and didn't notice till this morning that one of the pieces has a lot of scratches in it. I don't feel right using the scratched piece for someones sheath but for me, I wouldn't mind. My question is, do you guys think the scratches are deep enough to cause me problems down the line? Like week spots that might some day develope into cracks or splits? The sheath I'll make out of this leather if I use it, is a fold over pouch and the bend is were the majority of the deep scratches are.

Is it safe to use or should I scrap it? Thanks,

Heber

 

[wildmanh]

I showed the customer the pictures and he doesn't mind the scratches so I'm going to use it for his sheath at a discount. Guess I won't be making my sheath out of it after all. I'll post some pictures of the sheath after it's finished.

Heber

 

[sheathmaker]

If the scratches do not go all the way through the top grain layer, you will probably be all right as far as strength goes. The location being in the fold area presents the possibility that they will be subject to stretch stress and could "open up" and become wider and even more visible. You will be able to see it at that time if it happens and can make an alternate decision about delivery to your customer. My policy is that anything going to a customer has to be first quality from the beginning to end, so that piece of leather would be set aside and used to make smaller parts working around the scratches and they would wind up in the trash as scraps.

Paul

 

[Hmathews]

I agree with what Paul said. If there is a blemish on a piece of leather I will work around it or trash it. I don't believe it is a good policy to put out work that is less than the best you can do. That customer might be happy, but I would worry about what about the person he shows it to is going to think about my work.