Buffalo Hide Suppliers

[Slickshot]

I am looking for some good Buffalo Hide, with a sort of pebble/coarse grain in which to make a sort of Duke style gun belt out of which will be mated with a 3:10 to Yuma holster (once I make it).  I got the inspiration to make one as I saw on this site... (see attached pic).

So if you know of a place I can get this leather (chrome/brown, or dark tan); please let me know.

Thanks,

Slickshot

[GunClick Rick]

Braintan.com ?

frontier era leather

Moscow hides and furs?

[Drayton Calhoun]

You could try Lietzau Taxidermy, at least I think that's how it's spelled, they have a pretty good selection of buff. hide, robes and green hides too.

[Dalton Masterson]

I got that leather from the Leather Guy up in Minnesota or that direction anyway. http://www.theleatherguy.org/BISON-BUFFALO-HIDES-143933.aspx

I have to warn you though, making a money belt from that buffalo is a lesson in frustration. It is very stretchy and very difficult to get to lay flat and straight. Its also pretty difficult to burnish the edges as well, but I hit them every once in awhile with more wax, and that is starting to help.

Good luck.
DM

[Drayton Calhoun]

True,trying to make a belt is interesting, but, it is great for moccasins. Got a pair of Plains style hightops I made nearly twenty years ago, still hangin in there!

[Dalton Masterson]

Drayton,
Those are on my short list of things to build for me. I have 3 of those buff hides sitting here waiting on different projects, so hopefully I can get to them this fall.
DM

[GunClick Rick]

Get your wife to chew it first

[bowiemaker]

Thoroughbred Leather usually has buffalo. 502-315-0315

[ChuckBurrows]

Colorado Leathergoods is another that sells buffalo and they have a website..

as for the stretchiness - like all the softer skins such as deer, elk, or buffalo, you should pre-stretch it. Wet throughly, wring out the excess then stretch - either in a frame of just nailed to some plywood and leave outside in the shade but with plenty of air flow for 48-72 hours. After if still too stretchy do it again. For edges apply several coats of gum trag and or melted beeswax - won't ever be the same as veg tan, but will help.

[Dalton Masterson]

Thanks for that bit of stretchy advice, Chuck! I will try that on my next project with it.
I have to say its a very very comfortable belt and feels like wearing a padded belt.
DM

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Hi, 

Since October Country sells several of their possibles bags in Bison leather, I suppose they could find buffalo leather ...they are the best!

http://www.octobercountry.com/

TTFN,

[Major 2]

Colorado Leathergoods is another that sells buffalo and they have a website..

as for the stretchiness - like all the softer skins such as deer, elk, or buffalo, you should pre-stretch it. Wet throughly, wring out the excess then stretch - either in a frame of just nailed to some plywood and leave outside in the shade but with plenty of air flow for 48-72 hours. After if still too stretchy do it again. For edges apply several coats of gum trag and or melted beeswax - won't ever be the same as veg tan, but will help.

BINGO  Chuck... that is exactly how I did mine, plywood & Gum Teg.

I've made 4 money belts, two are mine , one was gift ( and his main match belt)  and sold the 4th. to a Mounted Cas Shooter

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Hi again,

I would be very surprised if Sandi could not find a source for buffalo Leather ....

http://www.sbearstradingpost.com/

TTFN,