Buying Leather..

[KenThis]

Hi all,

I'm looking to do some leather work, nothing too fancy just some pouches, sheaths and covers. Ideally I don't think I want the faff of having to dye the leather. Also I think I'd like to wet form the leather for some items. I'd like to make all of the pieces I have planned out of black leather. I've been looking at some old threads but they're not very recent so I thought it might be good to get some up to date advice.
It'd be great if people could help answer some of the following questions.

Where is the best place online to buy leather for my purposes?
Is 3-3.5mm reasonable to use for sheaths and covers etc.?
Is a shouder the best leather for what I have planned?
How easy is dying leather?
If I want to wet form, can I use pre-dyed leather or should I dye it myself afterwoods?
Apart from tools is there anything else I need to consider?
I have already made some paper patterns for some of the items I want to make, so I have some idea of how much I need, but in general how do you guesstimate the amount of leather needed?
Where is the best place online to buy leather for my purposes?

 

[Janne]

I have bought lots of various leather from Brisa in Finland. www.brisa.fi
Not done much work with it yet, but I got the quality they promised.
delivery - no problem.

 

[Mesquite]

Go for either le prevo or Tandy Leather for your requirements.

Le prevo has a very archaic website so it's better to phone your order through and the staff are happy to advise you.

Dying leather is easy, just don't get it on your skin or it takes ages to get off You can dye before or after wet forming so just get veg tan and save some money.

As for how much? You're on a slippery road so lots

 

[Sundowner]

Got the same problem up here in Northumberland. But somebody pointed me in that direction.....
http://www.leprevo.co.uk
In Newcastle upon Tyne and apparently very helpful

 

[Ed the Ted]

Anyone got tips on getting reclaimed/recycled leather? A few years ago I cut a load(all of it!) off a nice leather sofa that was in a skip in the snow, and it's slowly been seeing me through but now i'm fresh out and dont really want to buy new leather. Thanks!

 

[Dreadhead]

hands down leprevo. give them a ring and tell them what you want to make, they will look after you. I'd recommend Abbey England after them. Tandy leather will try and sell you a bunch of things you don't need at ridiculous prices tbh

 

[KenThis]

Cheers All,
I guess if Dreadhead says LePrevo then it's official.

 

[leaky5]

I use this ebay shop quite a bit. http://stores.ebay.co.uk/LEATHERANDSTUFF-SHOP?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

Wet form before dyeing. I always where gloves when dyeing and well ventilated area depending on the type of dye.

Keep you finger nails away from the leather as much as possible, if you do get marks on undyed leather you can generally wet it and rub them out, but wet the whole visable area to avoid water marks.

Have fun

 

[BushBob]

I just got a load of off cuts of upholstery leather from a sofa manufacturer. The bits are all different colours and the bits are quite big. Easily big enough to make pouches and covers.

If there's a sofa maker near you it might be worth dropping by.

 

[grip]

Im an orthotic/prosthetic technician and use leather every day the firm i work for gets its leather from this place might be worth an email
http://www.aacrack.co.uk/

 

[C_Claycomb]

I have bought what I need from The Identity Store. https://www.identityleathercraft.com/

 

[Sidavidson]

hands down leprevo. give them a ring and tell them what you want to make, they will look after you. I'd recommend Abbey England after them. Tandy leather will try and sell you a bunch of things you don't need at ridiculous prices tbh

How would the quality of a veg tan shoulder from leprevo compare to a Tandy craftsman oak? I’ve just about used up my first lot and looking to buy some more. Thanks


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[dwardo]

There is a tannery in Knutsford if you are up this way. You need to be buying a hide or half hide, they wont just do bits.

Advantage being you get to see before you buy. They dont really do over the counter but are happy enough to show you some stock if you call ahead. Amazing amount of stuff in there.

 

[ferretracer]

http://www.pinchmillleathers.co.uk/

these guys have been at a few of the reenactment markets and they do online as well there others who do the same markets and other reenactment events as well, so could be avenue if any events near to you and seeing your cardiff there a few medieval reenactment events dotted around wales in the summer months

 

[Dreadhead]

How would the quality of a veg tan shoulder from leprevo compare to a Tandy craftsman oak? I’ve just about used up my first lot and looking to buy some more. Thanks


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I find the Tandy craftsman oak often poor quality, and because tandy dont charge per square foot you get overcharged every time often paying for a double shoulder and getting nearer to a single. Leprevo have a cheaper range called Rio which isn't too bad, but their valencia and segovia ranges are good stuff. You could also try abbey england they have very nice leathers

 

[Sidavidson]

I find the Tandy craftsman oak often poor quality, and because tandy dont charge per square foot you get overcharged every time often paying for a double shoulder and getting nearer to a single. Leprevo have a cheaper range called Rio which isn't too bad, but their valencia and segovia ranges are good stuff. You could also try abbey england they have very nice leathers

Thanks for that!


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