Oak Leaf Tooling Sides at Tandy

[Patrick Henry Brown]

Found out this past Saturday that my new rig doesn't meet NCOWS guidelines. Not a problem, I'll use it for SASS, qandd make some holsters for the NCOWS. Just got in a new flyer from Tandy and the back cover lists Oak Leaf Tooling Sides - 8-9 oz. @ $5/sq. ft. Being a newbie, is this suitable for holsters and such? Good price? Is there a better source for less money? They say the sides average 22 to 27 square ft, so this would be a substantial purchase. HELP!

[JD Alan]

It's their second best leather, Live Oak being the best, at least on paper. From what I've seen, you really have to examine the leather yourself. The last time I looked at leather at my Tandy store, I couldn't see much difference between the two grades. Nothing looked good to me. The local stores don't get to hand pick their leather, so at any given time the quality can fluxuate quite a bit. 

I picked up my first piece of Herman Oak leather last week from Oregon Leather. I think they called it their TR grade, which I believe was several grades below the best they have. I paid $4:05 per sq foot, and it looks better than anything I've ever seen at Tandy for any price. The back side is really impressive, very smooth.

Having said all that, I am the least experienced guy here, so I'm sure you will receive some good advice from the rest of the gang.
The guys on this forum are first rate. JD

[T.C. Grant]

Found out this past Saturday that my new rig doesn't meet NCOWS guidelines.

Why doesn't it meet NCOWS guidelines??

[Patrick Henry Brown]

Front side of the holster is too low.

[Irish Dave]

I'll second JD in as much as being best to actually examine leather if at all possible. I've used Tandy leather and several other marketers as well. Have found good and not-so-good from all. Hafta say there is variation from one hide to another that I've noticed every time I have been able to inspect the stuff before purchase -- no matter what the source.

Just my $.02

[TN Mongo]

Add me to the list of guys who want to see the leather before I buy it.  I have purchased all my leather from the Leather Factory here in town (a Tandy Store).  I'm sorry to say it varies in quality each time I go.  I check every month or so and when I find a good batch, I stock up.

I would love to find another source that I could count on the quality being consistent.  If any of you guys know of a great source that you would trust to ship you good leather, I'm all ears.

[Dalton Masterson]

I like to see my leather too, but being 3+ hours away from a leather supplier (Tandy in Omaha), I just order it. The manager has done a good job of sending me the best that he has. I did get 1 bad piece, but he noted that in the invoice, and said I could send it back for refund or exchange when the new stock came in.

You can catch that stuff on better sales sometimes, so check around.
DM

[ChuckBurrows]

Well I'm six hours one way from the nearest supplier so all my leather is ordered -

My favorite is Wickett & Craig - I order direct from their factory in Penna and normally use their tooling and holster in 8/10oz. It comes in sides (24sft avg) or double shoulders (14sft avg) - In the last 15 years of using it I have never once had a bad piece - as with all sides from any source the outside edge can be a bit flanky (soft/spongy), but it has always been minimal.

I've also used Herman Oak and it can be purchased from several sources such as Golliger's in California, Montana Leather, and Oregon Leather.

JD TR grade is usually a mixed lot of leather - usually a mix of #1 or A grade and #2 B Grade, but dependent on the tannery can be a mix of B and C. Grading is mainly based on how clear of blemishes and how tight the grain on the face is, but can also include how clean and tight the back is.

[JD Alan]

Thanks Chuck. I just posted about my Herman Oak purchase, completely forgetting I'd already done so. I'm turning 60 in June, but sometimes I think my brain is cresting at 85 or so