Buying leather site unseen?

[weo]

Hello all. Hope the end of winter is going out like a lamb for all.

Is it OK to buy a shoulder or side of leather for sheaths from Tandy (or anywhere else, I guess) site unseen? Due to a medical condition, I am unable to drive or do any forging for the next couple of months, and live over an hour from a leather store (and don't have anyone to drive me). And because I'm pretty much confined to home, I thought I'd learn some more leather skills.

Is trusting an employee not to cull the pile to send to someone who they may never have to face in person?

Thanks
~billyO

 

[sheathmaker]

Billy, I buy almost all my veg tan leather sight unseen from Wickett and Craig.....but I took the time to have a dialogue with a specific salesman and let him know what was acceptable and what was not, and so far he has taken pretty good care of me regarding my personal perimeters. Make a call and get to know someone on the other end and then deal with that person only.

Paul

 

[Horsewright]

I too deal almost exclusively with two leather suppliers. At both I have my "guy". That relationship really helps and I'll give ya a coupe of examples of pro and con. The pros: had two recent oops from my main guy. I'd ordered Ginger and got black (chap leathers). So the Ginger was immediately rushed out along with a UPS shipping label to send the black back. Then a mismarked sample card. I'd always wondered why that camel color was marked merlot but heck. Now I know in that particular chap leather line merlot really is a wine color. My sample card was wrong. They were gonna send me another UPS label but what the heck its REALLY nice piece of leather. We're keeping it. The con: Nichole had forgot where we order the horsehide from for her IWB holsters and had ordered from someone else besides our other guy that has the horsehide. This is a big natioally known firm that she ordered from. The piece they sent us was still rawhide all the way through the center of the entire piece. Literally uncuttable. she tried and then I tried. Couldn't even begin a cut. Able to snick an end off and saw the rawhide. They wouldn't take it back since it had been cut (which of course means they were gonna re sell it to someone else). We asked them if they were willing to lose a customer over a $25 piece and they were, so be it, they have. Build a relationship with someone.

Get well soon my friend.

 

[BillNye]

The only hides that i will buy from Tandy is the euro bends. I do not like how soft and loose the grain structure is on most Tandy hides. I have had good experiences with both Wickett and Craig, and Zack White.

 

[Alberta Ed]

I've found the folks at Tandy here in Calgary knowledgeable and accommodating. I would think if you explained to the people at your leather supplier what you were looking for they would be able to fill your needs.

 

[weo]

Thanks for all the replies. If I may ask another question: As I'm quite new to sheath making (6 sheaths under my belt so far) I'm not well versed in leather terminology. Would you be able to educate me on what to ask for (other than weight) when buying over the phone?
Again, thank you.
~billyO

 

[Horsewright]

Veg tan is the type of leather. Other terms usually have to do with the size of piece. Then you are talking about sides, double shoulders, shoulders etc. A side is the cheapest way of buying leather but its 20-25 square feet of leather.

 

[golfer1]

I had a really great expeience with Wickett and Craig. I am one of those who know nothing about leather but you have to start somewhere. I called W&C, they sent out samples, I still didn't know how to "talk leather" so called them and said so. I was hand carried through an order and they have a customer for as long as they will put up with me. Give them a try is my suggestion you will meet a nice guy "salesman" and hopefully have the same experience.

 

[weo]

Thanks Dave and golfer1.
I should have made it clear that I may know the basics (veg-tanned, what weight means and what weights are appropriate for sheaths). My brain was going towards, what other questions/requests should I make. For example, "Please make sure there aren't a bunch big scars running through the piece" should be a given (I hope). Do I need to ask about this? should I be concerned with coloring? uniformity terms? how soft the piece is? etc, etc.
Again, thanks.
~billyO

 

[golfer1]

Didn't have to ask the question with W&C, they told me there would be none. You just need to give them an idea of what quality you want and what you would like to do with it.

 

[M. McCord]

The only hides that i will buy from Tandy is the euro bends. I do not like how soft and loose the grain structure is on most Tandy hides. I have had good experiences with both Wickett and Craig, and Zack White.

I've had good luck with Tandy as long as I've been in the store and sorted through the hides to find a piece with a tight grain. Last summer I picked up two double shoulders on sale. I think I paid $39 or so each.
BUT I would not buy sight unseen from Tandy..

Thanks Dave and golfer1.
I should have made it clear that I may know the basics (veg-tanned, what weight means and what weights are appropriate for sheaths). My brain was going towards, what other questions/requests should I make. For example, "Please make sure there aren't a bunch big scars running through the piece" should be a given (I hope). Do I need to ask about this? should I be concerned with coloring? uniformity terms? how soft the piece is? etc, etc.
Again, thanks.
~billyO

Tell them what you're going to be using the leather for. Sometimes a piece will have a scar or hole in it but still be usable for most projects.
More concerning to me than a scar or mark on the surface would the how natty the flesh side of the hide is. I've seen some down right furry pieces in the stores.

As for Wickett and Craig or Hermann Oak, the samples I've seen have all been fine pieces. But keep in mind Tandy is the Walmart of the leather industry. Baseline quality. At least that's the way I look at. And that's not to say quality pieces can't be made with products purchased there. Hell, most of the stuff I've made has been made with leather, tools and dyes purchased there.