Is Hermann Oak Worth The Price?

Lol, That's just one row. I like dies, I was actually just sitting here trying to figure out how to create more wall space for this months batch and what in the world I'm going to do with all this crap when I retire.
I like helping people as long as they make some effort to help themselves. People that hoard all their knowledge and experience just take up air space.

Strigamort said:
Very surprised to read the last two posts...

Btw, Skyler, I checked out your website last night. Very cool! Just going by your willingness to help us out in the Fiddleback forum, I figured you were a hobbyist. Clearly that is not the case. Should have known better when I saw the pic of your wall of clicker dies! ;)
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Skystorm said:
Lol, That's just one row. I like dies, I was actually just sitting here trying to figure out how to create more wall space for this months batch and what in the world I'm going to do with all this crap when I retire.
I like helping people as long as they make some effort to help themselves. People that hoard all their knowledge and experience just take up air space.
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Well said, and you know I feel the same. From your picture on the website, it looks like you have some time before worrying about retirement!

Honestly though, if I had that same concern, I'd be keeping my eyes open for a proper candidate for when that time comes. One good thing about a forum, it gives you plenty of exposure to a concentration of like minded individuals. There's always the possibility for selling everything piecemeal, as a shop, or gifting pieces to others. :)
 
Glad this got back on track while I was out. :)

I am in no mood for a ..... for lack of a better phrase, **** swinging fest. :p

Less each other and more information please, In fact I have been on the lookout for leather suppliers with a good customer service history because I cannot afford to eat the cost of a bad side. I've learned a lot here, and been able to add a few new future contacts to my list. Its a good thing.

I recently spent nearly ten bucks a square foot for leather that IMHO was not the quality I expected out of such a price.

Argentina of all places has been coming out with some very nice stuff lately, I hope they continue to do such, but the past has shown me that its spotty at best. Same goes for some of those Mexican tanneries, one is pretty darn good at bringing good clean sides but in small quantities, the other tannery is not worth the time, but they process huge quantities which Tandy likes. Fortunately I am not the only one giving them hell when they have nothing worth buying. :) The vocal minority, does make a difference, always make your concerns known. They do listen occasionally.
 
Skystorm said:
Wickett and Craig and their customer service can bite my little gnome buttcheek. Lots of people like them and have good experiences. Mine have all been from bad to wanting to burn their building down bad, they will never see another dime from me.
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Brommeland said:
Yeah, I've got something that Glen can bite as well. A colossal anal orifice, IMHO - and that is the very best thing that I can say about him....
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You guys arent alone with your experience with W&C. I'm not very fond of Glen either. I've had numerous orders with him, and its usually hit and miss with how smoothly an order can be placed with the guy.
 
I'm very relieved to hear I'm not the only one, I was beginning to feel like I was. Money talks, and only one order isn't enough to get good service I understand, but getting what I got was not good. Referrals mean trash as well. If you cannot afford to absorb a bad order, its best to go local.
 
I have not completely denounced W&C, because I just really like their saddle skirting and havent found a better alternative for the price. I think I will just try a different salesman to process my orders next time, I believe they've got 2 others.

I've bought nothing but the Standard grade recently, which is considered their highest grade. I've run into one or two that had some pretty bad thin spots, but the dozen other sides I've ordered this year were pretty good. I've bought the utility and special grade quite a ways back and they were complete junk.
 
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Yeah, even though I haven't used w&c, I'm glad y'all spoke up. It's my opinion that this information should always be shared with your peers.

My own personal way of dealing with it is to always try and post about my positive experiences, but when I have lousy ones, share those as well. I always give the company a chance to fix things and I'll post those results as well. I try to keep in mind that these posts will be around for years so accurate information is important. I'm not used to quality issues being subject to change from purchase to purchase as is the case with natural material like leather, so I think the way it's been brought up in this thread is great.

I was certainly under the impression that w&c was the absolute pinnacle in veg tanned leather, and that HO was a step down. Good to know that's not necessarily the case. I may pick up a side, or double shoulder at Tandy, but thanks to everyone here, I at least kinda know what to look for, and what to stay away from.

Good thread for sure.
 
I base my good opinion of W&C strictly on their skirting leather, because that is all I buy. I buy vat dyed colors and russet and use their splitting service to take 8/10 or heavier down to 7/8. Therefore my flesh side is always pretty clean and level, and the grain side is generally fine. If I were buying unsplit sides the story might be a little different….I don't know, but what I do get is always pretty nice.

Paul
 
sheathmaker said:
I base my good opinion of W&C strictly on their skirting leather, because that is all I buy. I buy vat dyed colors and russet and use their splitting service to take 8/10 or heavier down to 7/8. Therefore my flesh side is always pretty clean and level, and the grain side is generally fine. If I were buying unsplit sides the story might be a little different….I don't know, but what I do get is always pretty nice.

Paul
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Paul, so would you say it is common to get a 10-12oz or heavier and split it down to 8-10oz just so you can get a level thickness across the entire side? My issue is the shoulder is almost always too thin for me to use. If I had a splitter it wouldnt be a problem, since I use 5-6oz for pouches and firesteel loops. But its much easier to just buy a split side for that specific thickness. The only use for a splitter that I would have would be to recover useable leather from shoulders. But... I've got plenty of other equipment ahead of one of those on the "to-buy" list.

I only buy backs, instead of sides. I have no use for that belly leather. That stuff always ended up in the scrap bin back when I was buying sides.
 
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Very informative comments.

One of these days I'm going to try horse butts. I guess that's a topic for a different thread.
 
Goose, it is common for me because I only use 7/8 or 2/3 and the lightest saddle skirting sides available are 8/10 and up, therefore the split is necessary for me. I have found the skirting works great for what I do. The resulting level and clean flesh side is just a bonus. I also happen to have a 14" splitter so the bellies get reduced to top grain 2/3 hence not much loss. Buying the split sides and considering the use of the bellies at 2/3 it's the most economical way for me to buy on a square foot basis. I think my situation is a little unique with regard to what I use so this wouldn't work for everyone.

Also, if I happen to need 4/5 pr 5/6 then I just run 7/8 through my own splitter and I'm good to go with near the exact quantity needed.

Paul
 
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Got it yesterday.

Looking at the smooth side, there is about 1/3 of it that has tiny little specks of hair stuck on. They are stuck on pretty hard - could maybe scrape them off with my fingernail, but don't want to scratch it.

Looking at the back side, the part right in the middle has denser grain than the rest.
 
This is the H.O. piece. Those hairs are stuck on there good, like they were pressed in with some kind of roller.

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Wow haven't seen that before. So you 're thinking some kind of contaminant not actual hairs from the original owner?
 
I can see that happening, those giant splitters they use in the older shops can press all kinds of interesting stuff into the leather.

I got to see an episode of "Dirty Jobs" where he visited a leather tannery, that beast they used was well over 100 years old and still ran like clockwork. But its size and the look of it was fascinating. THey also had a machine that would calculate the square footage of a side, it was nastier looking with all those fingers "feeling" the leather as it was pulled through the machine.
 
Any idea how to get that stuff off without scratching the leather?

leatherman said:
I can see that happening, those giant splitters they use in the older shops can press all kinds of interesting stuff into the leather.

I got to see an episode of "Dirty Jobs" where he visited a leather tannery, that beast they used was well over 100 years old and still ran like clockwork. But its size and the look of it was fascinating. THey also had a machine that would calculate the square footage of a side, it was nastier looking with all those fingers "feeling" the leather as it was pulled through the machine.
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Try a tooth brush. If it's more widespread maybe a hat brush. See if they will brush off. If not ya might try casing the leather in the tub and while wet in warm water rubbing em off with your hands.
 
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