Sheath leather

JTknives

JTknives

Blade Heat Treating www.jarodtodd.com
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jun 11, 2006
Messages
8,647
When I lived in Utah I got my leather from a local place and was able to pick exactly what I wanted but now that I live in the middle of the sticks in washingtion I need to order it. Where are you guys getting your leather, I know there is Tandy but I hear not so great things about them. Also what leather are you ordering I'm guessing a 7-9oz veg tan but I have not used much cow hide as I always bought the horse hide as I loved how dense and solid it was. Thanks guys
 
So far, the best leather that I've used is Hermann Oak harness leather from Springfield or Weaver. I just bought a side of harness leather (not Hermann Oak, but still made in USA) from Waterhouse but haven't tried it out yet. If you have a federal tax number (EIN) you can save a ton of money with Springfield, Weaver, and Waterhouse.

Jesse
 
Herman oak or wicket and Craig are the best. There's a whole sub forum dedicated to this topic. Places to buy it would be Hide House in California, Sharidan leather in Wyoming, or direct from W and C.
I find the W&C sews much easier if I oil it a little before I sew it. It's really dry, and an awl and needles don't want to slide through it easily.
 
Wicket and Craig. Considering the quality, their pricing is quite reasonable, and they're good people, too.
 
Tandy is expensive but always has sales to get you there. I just pick up stuff from them when it is on sale. I got a double shoulder of veggie tan for $60...about 1/3 regular price.
 
I use Wickett and Craig and Herman Oak. They are distinctly different leathers. Most sheaths I use HO in 7/8 oz. For little larger knives I use the W & C 8-10 oz. I buy most of my leather from Hide House and some from Weaver. I get a lot of supplies from Sheridan Leather and they do carry your horsehide which we use on a few projects like certain holsters and headstalls. Check out sheaths and such the subforum here. Lots of help from some of the best in the business.
 
I need to order another hide soon. The last one I ordered was 8/9 oz. W&C skirting in the lowest grade. It's worked, but I would prefer some higher quality stuff this next time. I was thinking of 7/8 oz English Bridle. Would that be a good choice for sheaths? Also, I don't see that thickness listed on their website. Will they split it?
 
J. I'd stick with the upper grades of the reg veg tan with Wickett and Craig. particularly if you do any wet molding or stamping/tooling on your sheaths. The bridle leather is designed to be against a sweaty horse and so it has a ot of extra tallows and waxes in it for water resistance. It is great leather and I always have a side of the W & C English bridle leather on hand. But I don't use it for sheaths. Kinda the same with harness leather its not what it is designed or tanned for. The bridle leather is great for any strap work and also lining, belts etc and thats how I use it. On this rifle scabbard the flap strap and the saddle straps are W & C chestnut English bridle. The scabbard itself is W & C russet saddle leather.

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Great for belts: Chestnut English Bridle.

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But for sheaths I stick to veg tan: here a mix of HO and W&C. The Herman Oak are the lighter colored ones.

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JTknives said:
When I lived in Utah I got my leather from a local place and was able to pick exactly what I wanted but now that I live in the middle of the sticks in washingtion I need to order it. Where are you guys getting your leather, I know there is Tandy but I hear not so great things about them. Also what leather are you ordering I'm guessing a 7-9oz veg tan but I have not used much cow hide as I always bought the horse hide as I loved how dense and solid it was. Thanks guys
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Where did you buy from in Utah? My last couple of sides from Tandy were horrible. If I hand pick shoulders from a stack of 50-100, I may find a few decent pieces. Will probably try W&C when I run out, but would love another local source.
 
JTknives said:
When I lived in Utah I got my leather from a local place and was able to pick exactly what I wanted but now that I live in the middle of the sticks in washingtion I need to order it. Where are you guys getting your leather, I know there is Tandy but I hear not so great things about them. Also what leather are you ordering I'm guessing a 7-9oz veg tan but I have not used much cow hide as I always bought the horse hide as I loved how dense and solid it was. Thanks guys
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Wow, Rice is way out in the sticks! I live in Pullman and found that Moscow Fur and Hide in Moscow, ID has some nice veg tanned tooling bellies. If you're OK ordering, Oregon Leather Co in Portland is where I would buy when I lived there and they have great leather at good prices.
 
Travis at western trade I believe was the name of the store. I know he moved his store and had a bad axadent with a leather knife but I think he is still at it.
 
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