TR Grade???

TR is Tannery Run and is slightly better in visual quality than Utility. Grading leather is a subjective thing at best and you will get the result of many different interpretations of just what "utility" is. Generally it is fine and perfect for sheathmaking and anything else for that matter. It is also generally a little less expensive. You may run into a brand or other blemish here and there but it is mostly a good value.

I checked your choice at weaver and at that price I would suspect it is import leather and that would kill the deal for me.

You might want to check out Wickett and Craig while you are shopping.

Paul
 
Paul,

Thanks for the suggestion. I can't quite figure out the Wickett & Craig website, as no where on there do I see double shoulders. What am I not understanding? Is the "Tooling/Holster/Carving" leather on their pricing page, http://www.wickett-craig.com/pricing.html, the same? What's the difference in those three grades: standard, utility and special?

Also, what makes the significantly less expensive import leather at Weaver a no go? Is it complete junk?

Thanks, Phil
 
Phil - W/C just started selling the Tooling/Holster in shoulders so call them. They average around 13 s/ft.
On the other hand until the end of the month they have a sale on T & H sides in russet (aka natural) for a flat $90.00 plus S/H. I just got some of them and they were real nice with clean backs and averaged $3.25 a s/ft since they were all 25-27 s/ft/

As Paul noted grading is fairly subjective by tannery/dealer, but is generally based on how clean and free of range marks (scratches, etc) and brands the face is, plus how clean the back is........

I usually deal with Glen Proud at ext 222 when he's around (seems like Paul calls him too) or Matt Bressler at ext 216 - all the folks ar nice there though.....

Imported hides are not "bad" per se - I've had good ones in the past, but it's more hit and miss as to quality and over the last few years mostly miss - plus by buying W & C or Herman Oak you're supporting two of the last three tanneries left in the USA....Weaver does sell Herman Oak, but Herman Oak is much "harder" than W & C - that can be a blessing to some......on the other hand W & C will double or triple plate any hide you want at no extra charge last time I asked....this makes the hide firmer, which can be good for some uses but makes it tougher to work - 98% of the time I just don't need that extra firmness.......

Hope this helps...
 
Thanks Chuck,

I'll give them a call. Hmmm, guess shipping to Hawaii is going to kill me though. Hadn't thought of that. Good point about supporting a US tannery. Hadn't thought of that either. Who would have thought there were only three left? Yikes!

All the best, Phil
 
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