Where to buy Sheath Leather?

F

Forgedfixedblade

Joined
Jul 10, 2014
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236
Well, I've been itchin to start making me some sheath's and from what I've deduced with the tools I have on hand, the few other simple leather tools and glue I'm gonna need will run me about 50 bucks or so. Where can I find sheath quality leather for realistic prices? Not looking anything fancy, exotic or even a whole hide, just a decent quality utility style leather that I can work a couple nice pouch style sheaths out of. I'd like to find some 1 foot to 18" pieces because the knives I plan on making them for are in the 8" range. Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
Springfield Leather sells 12"x12" or larger chunks of top quality Hermann Oak. They are very nice pieces, but you do pay a premium for them. If you are only doing up to 5(ish) sheaths then I'd try their 2sf piece in 7/8 or 8/9oz. I believe I squeezed out 7 sheaths from one of those, but I also made very careful designs that fit the leather. I was also able to cut the welts from a side of blah veg tanned that I already had.

If you think you may need more I suggest Hide Houses premium double shoulder (import). Very good stuff and the price is stellar. Outside of that, if you know someone that has a platinum (I think it's called) membership to Tandy (or if you have a EID) you can get good prices at Tandy. Otoh, if you have access to those prices Springfield will honor them as well. I just got an order from SLC and saved a lot of money by using my business to obtain wholesale prices.

Lots of good leather out there, some of it priced very fairly. Good idea to ask. :)
 
There's a local leather store in my town (Oregon Leather) that sells some real nice hides. If you can find a local store near your location, they often have "scrap bins" with a variety of great leather pieces by the pound.
 
Agreed, and Tandy/The Leather Factory (tandy's big brother) are great places to get a feel for the various leathers available out there. Sometimes just being able to handle the different types and thickness's means all the difference. You dont have to buy from them, but to get the hands on its a great place to start.
 
That's a good point. I've bought good hides and meh... hides. Whenever I've gone from good to so-so I didn't notice much difference, but going from so-so to good makes a big impression. Good leather is a joy to work with. Takes much less work to deal with. Dyes better, stamps better, less work on the flesh side etc. I'm still learning, but a bad hide will teach you plenty! Tandy has good hides, at least my local shop does. Spend some time feeling it and looking at various pieces, ask questions. I want it supple (as supple as veg tanned gets anyway). I've heard of hides that throw dust in the air when cut(!). Don't want that. Look for imperfections on the grain side. Stretch marks and small imperfections don't bother me. I stamp stretch marks and just cut around small marks. We aren't doing large luggage after all. Flesh side should have short, even nap. Stay away from hairy nap, especially if you'll do work like a pouch sheath where the nap will show (like on a loop that'll fold over).

Btw, high cost doesn't always mean better. The best hide I've bought was also the least expensive. If you can buy wholesale from a high volume vendor who'll hand select you a hide you should be good.
 
I've shown this picture before, but I'll post it again. It clearly shows the difference between excellent and not so excellent flesh.

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Not only is the flesh better on the hide on the right, the leather takes dye much much better, it's more pliable and has faaar less waste.

[edit- just remembered that you don't need a large piece, but most of what I wrote applies to any veg tanned leather]

If you buy a double shoulder, try to get a trimmed piece. Nearly all of a trimmed piece will be usable, wear as a non-trimmed piece will have bits that might be different in thickness and poor quality. Don't want to be paying for an extra couple of feet (or more) that will get binned because it's junk.

The piece on the right cost the same as the stuff on the left, but I got more usable leather. Scraps are good for dye and stamping practice, but you're going to have waste no matter what, may as well pay for less of it. ;)
 
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Oh yes, price matters just a little when finding quality leather. So does the place you get it.

Through the years, I've gotten crap from the most lauded companies and gotten wonderful stuff from the most hammered companies. Timing is everything, and being able to see it in person means so much to me as a buyer. I cant afford to take the time to send a side back for mistakes and or lots of imperfections. It gets worse when I get an attitude for being fussy over my so called perfect leather when it has scars, brands or even worse holes and soft spots. Never gotten an attitude at Tandy or Leather Factory for returning leather, and asking for cuts. That is a good thing. :)
 
Are you talking about W&C? Seems I hear about how absolutely amazing it is, but I've read a lot of bad about their product too. Hermann Oak seems more consistent, just going by what people say. I've had HO and I've had W&C as well as imports from TLF and other places. Chahin(sp) is a Mexican tannery that uses US hides.

I have a shoulder of W&C and I'm not impressed at all. Very dry, dark and the nap looks like the stuff in my picture on the left. Not sure what grade it is so I cannot bash them, it's just an example that price isn't a great gauge of quality. Balance my opinion considering my experience level though. I haven't been buying leather for decades like some here, all of my experience is with the respective companies current offerings.
 
It seems every brand and every tannery will send out a bad product every now and then. WC does good more often than bad. They sent one of my customers not only the wrong thickness but one that felt like cardboard and I've gotten some absolutely stunning leather from Tandy's import line, the best from South America. Not to forget the European imported leather, that stuff is amazing but expensive.

Herman Oak is returning to Tandy/TLF and I couldnt be happier. Its expensive but like you said its very consistent. If I ever move away from a Tandy or my local one closes I can mail order fairly confident of getting a good side.

Leather has gone up again, it does every year it seems, and my prices have to rise along with them every few years. Paying nearly ten bucks a square foot for the good stuff just simply makes me itch. :p
 
To each his own. You guys buy your leather from whoever or wherever it makes you the happiest. I get all my leather from Wickett & Craig and I buy Utility grade saddle skirting sides. I have taken the time to establish a business working relationship with the single person I deal with. Now he is fully familiar with what I like and don't like and he tries very hard to make sure everything he ships fit within those parameters. I have never sent back a piece of leather for any reason. One of my mentors told me a long time ago "every piece of leather has someplace to go". Even the less than perfect stuff will find a use.

Once you take time to establish that working relationship with your tannery, you don't have to touch every single piece of leather before it comes into your shop.

Paul
 
No reason to get angry, I said in my post that WC did more good than bad, but everyone slips every now and then. If you can afford the occasional imperfect side then I envy your position, I cant afford to spend extra, honestly I cant afford the leather period.

Thank goodness for my teaching, which brings in very little but every dollar counts. We have no backup income. The affordable care act declared us too poor to pay their premiums but too "rich" to go on welfare for the free benefits. When the wife got hurt it was time to panic. All we can do now is hope for the best, and watch as math proves that I cannot buy the quality expensive leather any more. Looking for acceptable quality among second rate material is more necessary than ever right now. Selling little used equipment is looking like a possibility.

Again, not disrespecting WC, I just simply cant afford it. I hope this clarifies a little. Right now, paying the mortgage and utilities, well, its hard to do right now. This is not easy to say, my pride is ........................ taking a break from here sounds like a good idea.
 
You know, personal relationships in this profession (and day & age) are important. Very important. I'm learning that more and more. This may be especially true when you go on the trust of someone hand selecting to your needs, or with after purchase cs. Someone who you can call by name and vise versa, they may help you out when you're in a pickle, ect. These needs are definitely things that separate the pro from hobbiest as I see it.

I can see a very firm resistance to changing brands and products here and other places. Loyalty is fierce, but that's understandable. I'm forming my own relationships.

Dwayne, if you find yourself mail ordering (shipping is a real cost consideration) give the Hide House a call. Shipping does push the $5.35 sq/ft price up a little, but if the price is still competitive, you may like it.

I hope you decide not to take a break from here as you have definitely made a positive impact on my work. I hope the very best for you and yours.
 
I've had some good luck with eBay . Some sellers there are mfg's. and sell scraps at reasonable price . I know some people will laugh at the Bay , but I've gotten some pretty amazing stuff for next to nothing .
 
markmiller said:
I've had some good luck with eBay . Some sellers there are mfg's. and sell scraps at reasonable price . I know some people will laugh at the Bay , but I've gotten some pretty amazing stuff for next to nothing .
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Nothing wrong with that at all. If you found a viable source then you done good.

One caution about ebay. There is a seller that sells veg tanned splits at a low price. Splits are great for some things (I'm sure, although I don't know what), but I wouldn't use them for a sheath as I make them. I've also noticed that some vendors recommend certain cuts or tannage for sheaths (or holsters) that may not be ideal for *my* uses. Not everyone makes sheaths from the type of leather that Paul, Dwayne, Dave, Skyler, Rick Lowe, Tal, myself and most others use, but there are other options. I'll leave that to the guys that use them as I don't know much about them. I'd love to hear about them though.
 
leatherman said:
No reason to get angry, I said in my post that WC did more good than bad, but everyone slips every now and then. If you can afford the occasional imperfect side then I envy your position, I cant afford to spend extra, honestly I cant afford the leather period.

Angry?? Not in the least. I merely stated my position in a straight forward manner. I really don't care where anyone chooses to spend their leather supply dollars. That is a personal decision dependent on finances, expectations, and choice. I found what works for me….each of you must do the same.

Paul
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