Leather types and grades

[Red Cent]

I would like to know about the different leathers. On some sites I see different grades such as "A" grade. Other places I read there all kind of grades and it depends what I am reading at the time.

I buy at Zack White. The store is about an hour and a half away. I buy their double shoulder veg tanned. The last one was an 8-10 oz for $5.95/sq yard. The computer receipt says "8/10 oz import double shoulder Mexico".

Please pitch in and let me know what you buy.

[Cliff Fendley]

Thoroughbred leather who is now the supplier for most of the big commercial makers in the country happens to now have it's main warehouse in Louisville just a few minutes from me.

That gives me the opportunity to go hand pick my leather.

They offer 9-10 oz backs for maximum yield for some of their big customers and that is what I usually pick through, although usually when they get a load these are almost all very nice hides so it doesn't take much picking. They have those backs in black also, I looked through a stack yesterday and they all looked good so I just grabbed what I needed. I get maximum yield now. No belly leather to worry about, good clean, firm, consistent leather with great flesh sides too.

I also get some clean 4 oz sides, I cut money belts and bullet loops from the backs of them and use the rest for lining.

Their leather is US sides and are tanned to their specs at the Teneria tannery in Mexico. This has been great for me, not only a great supplier but close enough for me to hand pick my leather. Great guys to work with also.

They also have a lot of various other stuff. I also got some really nice chrome tanned Bison the other day to use on some chaps.

You can get Thoroughbred leather at Hidecrafters and Sheridan leather I believe.

If you are a business and buy several hides at a time you can probably buy from them direct. http://www.whitepages.com/business/thoroughbred-leather-louisville-ky I usually deal with Mark Coxon, tell him I told you to call.

[Red Cent]

Cliff, would this be comparable to the ones you mentioned.
http://www.zackwhite.com/9--10-oz-Premium-Bullhide-Double-Shoulder_p_1805.html

I would think this is a grade below.
http://www.zackwhite.com/8-10-oz-Vegetable-Tanned-Imported-Double-Shoulders-Mexico_p_3633.html


" Backs are gummed with natural veg solution for a clean, smooth flesh side."
Is this the high grade/premium used for unlined holsters? And/or really nice holsters?

[Cliff Fendley]

I haven't used leather from Zack White so don't know how it compares, I don't know what tannery it comes from or how it's tanned.

RJF leather also distributes Thoroughbred leather.

[Red Cent]

The second one comes from US cattle and is tanned in Mexico. Sounds comparable. The 8-10 oz at $5.95 does not crack when rolled and is easy to sew (if one can sew). I think I may pick up a premium double shoulder the next time.

[Red Cent]

I made a mistake on my first post. Please excuse the newbie. The price of the lower grade leather is $5.95 per square foot, not yard. The top grade leather goes for around $6.20 per square foot.

I posted on leatherworker.net and was told they would need to know where it was tanned before they could give me an idea of grade.

[Bugscuffle]

I have gotten some good leather from tandy, but it is pretty much hit or miss. I got some very nice horse hide from Zack White, but any time that you are buying leather mail order, you are buying a pig in a poke. It is way, way better to be able to put your hands on it before you put down your cash, especially wityh some of the restocking fees that these guys charge.

[bedbugbilly]

I agree with you Bugscuffle on the leather from Tandy.  I have found some good at times . . . other times it's pretty iffy.  At the store I usually go to, it all depends on if they've received a new shipment.  The last year or so I've noticed that the quality of some of the hides just doesn't seem to be there . . . . probably depends on how new their shipment is and how much it's been picked over.  I find that I have to usually  sort through the pile all the way and then set what looks good aside as I go, then decide from that pile.  I wasn't able to get to their store one time so just called in an order for a double shoulder in the thickness I needed.  I won't do that again.  Whoever sorted it culled out the worst one there I'm sure . . . I needed 8 ounce and that piece varied from 2 to 20 ounce.  The last time I was at the store though, I found several 4 ounce sides that were beautiful . . . and they came home with me.

As Cliff has said many times . . . you get what you pay for. 

Cliff . . . . can anyone stop at Thoroughbred and purchase leather or do you have to be a commercial account?  i.e. do they sell retail?  That sounds like a place I should visit the next time I'm down that way to visit my cousin.

[Cliff Fendley]

I don't know for sure, you may have to be a business. There is no retail store front and it's actually just a warehouse in the old part of downtown Louisville with signs that say employees only. I know some others here locally that get leather directly from them but they are all businesses.

You may also have to buy several sides at a time but not certain. I usually buy anywhere from 7-10 hides at a time from them. I never just pop in without calling but that is mostly because I'm wanting to make sure he has got a good selection of what I'm looking for. Whenever I'm going into Louisville for parts or other things and getting low on leather I'll call and see what he has. It is hit or miss because when a truckload comes in they fill orders and it goes back out. They supply several distributors like RJF, and also supply Galco, El Paso Saddlery, and many other commercial makers.

They also have lots of other odd types of specialty tanned leather. Example, they supply the leather for the military boot contractors. It's some kind of water and fire resistant leather that is in dessert tan and airforce greenish/blue. I'm thinking about getting some of it to make some aprons for heat treating and welding.

I picked up some chrome tanned Bison the other day that I'm going to make some work chaps for me and my helpers to wear when we are working in ditches. I run an excavating company so we spend a lot of time walking in ditches with tree roots rubbing our pant legs.

I would think if you set up an appointment you could go there if you were wanting to purchase several hides. Just give Mark a call if your traveling through Louisville and ask him. 502-315-0315

[bedbugbilly]

Thank you Cliff - greatly appreciate the information.