Is this leather good?

O

Omega Leather Works

Joined
Jun 13, 2007
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Not sure what I was expecting exactly, but I'd like your opinion on whether or not this is normal.

The leather is Hermann Oak 12x24 that I payed 30 something dollars for. It has a couple of marks that I won't be able to fix. They also wrote on the back with what looks like sharpie. Why in the world would they do that?

Anyway, should I send it back, or is this all normal?

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I consider Hermann Oak to be one of the better tanneries. There shouldn't be that many marks (but I only order the 12x12 pieces), but the writing is normal. I suppose it's simply how they keep up with inventory/orders or whatever. I usually notice it a corner, but if it's written elsewhere-I'd send it back.

The pictures aren't showing for me btw.
 
Son of a b... This was supposed to be posted in the Sheaths forum.

Well, I'll sample ya'lls opinion anyway.

Thanks LF, I expected better, but I'm not sure if my expectations were set too high.

Hopefully The Weatherman will see this too.
 
Can ya fix the pics? I'd like to see, Strig, maybe I can help.
 
Sorry, apparently nothing seems to be working for me today. :(

Pics fixed. :)

I'd estimate the crease as being about 4-6" long. Maybe I can do it so that the crease is on the back of a sheath, but it's not something that I'd ever sell if I were selling them. Just thought that, outside of a big piece from W&Craig, Hermann Oak was something that I could expect to be nearly flawless.

I realize, of course, that this is leather, a natural product, but the reviews indicated near perfection. I've emailed Springfield Leather to see what they say.
 
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My expectations would have been higher too. For that price I would expect a project piece from mid shoulder, premium mark free surface and no writing. Red writing on leather is kind of normal as it tends to disappear under almost all dye colors. Black is just being careless with the leather. I can't believe a reputable supplier does that...

The mark on the front is possibly fixable if it is just a slick spot from something sliding across it. If its a scar it won't be. Can't tell from that pic. And if the black is in a corner you will probably be able to work around it.

-Eric
 
Writing like that is normal, even if you buy it by the side it will have some. Usually its gonna have the weight and the square footage. That looks like they've marked it 8/9 oz. The mark on the grain side is human caused, thats not a range mark or scar. The corner of something hard got drug across there to burnish it like that. Try to either cut around it during your lay out or use it on the back side of your project. If you case the leather and then "slick" it, (burnish it hard while still damp, I use a piece of Ligum Vitae), you will loose a lot of that mark. Not all of it but quite a bit. If your project won't work for ya with that, then send it back for sure.
 
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Thanks guys. Still not sure what to do because I have very limited experience making sheaths. I just don't know how much it will impact the look on the finished product, but either way, I'm a little disappointed. Stuff happens, but I could have got a much larger shoulder from Tandy for less.

I believe you Horsewright, that the writing is normal, but I'm still surprised that they wouldn't simply use a sticker, or as Eric said, at least a red ballpoint. Weird.

I also agree that it's burnished from something hard. It was well packaged in a nice big cardboard box. At first I wondered why they tossed in a free shoelace, but realized that it was meant to be tied around the roll. It was also in a plastic bag which was nice. Only thing about all that nice packaging is that I can't see how it could have happened in transit.

Well, I guess I'll see what Springfield has to say and go from there. I'll be sure to post their reply. I've decided to not send it back as I need to start this project now, so in fairness to Springfield, if they can't do anything that's fine. If they can offer a discount on a future purchase or something along those lines, I'd be more than pleased, as I said, crap happens, but I've had exceptional cs though in the past so we'll see.
 
So I got a reply from a gentleman named Kevin at Springfield. It certainly looks like excellent CS is alive and well in Missouri as they've decided to skip the discount and simply send a new piece. With that kind of quick and courteous service, I'll be adding them to my list of companies that I'll gladly purchase from again in the future.

I don't feel like I made it clear that the leather, outside of the obvious, is quite good. Nearly flawless in fact. The flesh is well prepped from what I can tell in my limited experience. Certainly the highest quality that I've purchased.

:)
 
Good deal. Good luck on your project. Show us when you are done.
 
The world of leather working is a whole new universe! Have fun with it and always measure twice, cut once! Don't ask me how I know!
 
I buy shoulders of leather. You save money in the long run, but end up with a few more creases and inconsistencies. They're easy enough to work around though, when you have a whole shoulder to work with.
 
I'm lucky enough to get my leather from a horse harness maker in New Hampshire .
He allready knows how to select good leather .
 
shane_o_ca said:
I buy shoulders of leather. You save money in the long run, but end up with a few more creases and inconsistencies. They're easy enough to work around though, when you have a whole shoulder to work with.
Click to expand...

The savings by buyjng a sboulder or double shoulder are well worth the up front ouch. A piece of advice, don't have it batch dyed... I bought a batch dyed double shoulder of really nice 8oz veg tanned leather...Great deal but dang if I'm not getting tired of mahogany leather. My customers have liked it as it goes with blackn or brown equally, but man... seems to go on forever... lol.
 
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