Is this a good deal?

[Dusty Z]

I just found these guys, and they are advertising at 50% off.
http://www.oldwestgoods.com
I am totally new to this cowboy stuff, and need some leather for my NM 5.5" Vaquero, but am afraid of screwing up and buy something that I shouldn't have.
Is this decent leather?
No offense to these guys, but I'm a little skeptical of a 1/2 off sale. Does this leather usually sell for more?

Thanks!

[Deadeye Don]

Dusty,  I believe this is a new company advertising on this website, thus the grand opening sale price.  I  do not have personal experience with the goods they sell, but I have found that with leather goods, you usually get what you pay for.  The prices of these particular goods is low compared to many other established companies.  Since you are looking for inexpensive leather goods you could try this company or look at other companies  such as Cabelas.  If you are interested in purchasing something used you might try putting a wanted ad on this CAS City website.  Safe shooting. Deadeye.

[Skullyville Tom]

As a guy that was in sales or related to sales for the majority of their life...I get real suspicious at 50% off sales, most of the time it really means they jacked the price up before discounting it 50%, and even at 50% off it may not be a good deal.  Let me emphasize, I don't know this company or anything about them except what they advertise.

The short version is simply, let the buyer beware!

[Major 2]

 

The holsters Slim Jims and Mex loops are Oklahoma Leather Products of Miami Okla.... Cabela's sells the same line
in brown & not sure about the black ...for about $20-$ 25

It is soft , and oily ,  , I did not see his all 1/2 off prices (did not look)

Shotgun Slides are also OKLA Leather,  as are the belts, I assume.


The prices he shows at his 1/2 price sale,  is the Catalog price @ Calbela's... 

[Skullyville Tom]

I wish Oklahoma Leather would change their name, I've seen their products, and they aren't doing Oklahoma any favors by using that in their name. 

[Deadeye Don]

I havent seen their holster and belt products, but I do have a few of the suede rifle covers that I am very happy with.  Safe shooting.  Deadeye.

[Wymore Wrangler]

If you want to get good quality off the shelf go to Kirkpatrick or the Fort Old West Outfitters for COWS brand leather...

[dangerranger]

I have a set of these that I started out with. they are serviceable. but they are thin.To keep there shape Id have to wet them every so often and let them dry into shape. I have given them away twice to new shooters and they keep coming back. at the time I started I didnt have the moneys for a good set so these did well till I could replace them.I paid about $23 each for the holsters, so at 50% there about at market price. Im kind of glad I started with them as after Id shot for a while I changed the style I wanted.  just rember that good leather starts at around $300. anything less and they have probably cut corners somewhere. good luck. DR.

[Bad Hand Dan]

I have to chime in... I have been shooting CAS for two years. I found the prices for the gear was just absurd. So I decided to do better. The 199 rig on the site is equal to the 700 dollar Alponso's rigs. He wants 199 for a single holster. If you want to spend more than I charge, then that is fine.

I shoot with the CAS World Champions. I use a black tooled lined rig. I don't shoot as well as them, but nobody else does either.   I stock the OK Leather because it is best priced authentic 1800s. To buy from them wholesale requires a fairly large investment as well.

I will be offering lower prices than other folks soon on Beaver Brand Hats, Shooters boots etc etc

My feeling is that CAS will not grow faster unless we lower the huge cost barrier. 4 guns, leather, hats, shirts, boots, gun cart, ammo, etc. etc. etc.

I know I'm not Cabelas. OK, not to worry. I will continue and eventually get to be bigger. Good luck and God bless.

Bad Hand Dan
http://www.oldwestgoods.com
818-331-5640

[Major 2]

Sir , I don't wish to cross you or seem argumentative..

I agree the cost of Cas Shooting is sky rocketing... you have seen it in 2 years... you should see it from 20 years.

But I ask you...
You offer your Okla. Leather Slim Jim @ $26 ..1/2 price from the $ reg. catalog price of $52
and you offer the Okla. Leather Cheyenne Double loop @ $29.50.. 1/2 off of your regular price of $59.50...

These are listed in the latest Shooting catalog from Cabela's  Slim Jim  XW-223294 & the Cheyenne is XW-22-3296 at $21.99 each.

Sir,  I know you don't have the budget of Cabela's ,
I applaud your effort, to keep prices down...and wish you success. 

but I stand by my opinion the product from OKLA. Leather is entry level quality only at best,
by answering this question as it was posted...

"....I am totally new to this cowboy stuff, and need some leather for my NM 5.5" Vaquero, but am afraid of screwing up and buy something that I shouldn't have.
Is this decent leather?  NO
No offense to these guys, but I'm a little skeptical of a 1/2 off sale. Does this leather usually sell for more?" NO

[Bad Hand Dan]

Major,
No worries, this is not an argument. I'm trying to help CAS, as I have a great love for the sport.

Cabelas does have a HUGE budget, although eventually I intend to manufacture my own holsters and go below them. I am currently 4(slim jim) and 8(cheyenne) dollars above their price. I honestly had not shopped them yet.

I do feel a bit attacked, especially as even a huge company like Cabelas doesn't even bother to carry the black OK Leather line. They are only carrying the bottom of the line brown oiled line. Surprising, given their buying power.

Feel free to challenge me, I don't mind, I have been planning a lowest price guarantee for the site, and you have motivated me to go ahead. Thanks for the push!

God Bless and shoot straight!

Bad Hand Dan

[Major 2]

 believe it or not.. my only intent was to answer the question.
there is a market for entry level , and Cabela's has that covered...
Sadly, the very persons who need that low end , will have to spend again to get quality , having then spent twice....

" ... I have been planning a lowest price guarantee for the site, and you have motivated me to go ahead "
if I have motivated you to offer a good product for a fair price , then sir you will have many customers.

"Quality lasts long after the price wears off..
Experience and quality isn't expensive, it's priceless."

best of luck....

[Bad Hand Dan]

I apologize if my 4 and/or 8 dollar price difference from a large retailer seemed like unfair pricing.

I was largely going off a standard pricing formula I learned from retailers I had worked for in the past.

I realized WHY Cabelas only offers the cheapest brown oiled OK leather. They are buying ONLY those in BIG quantity to assure someone like me can't compete. Well, I decided to match them on the goods you mentioned, so we will see if I survive.

The bottom line is that some leather makers CAN give top quality at a much lower price than others. This is not going to be a popular opinion among custom leather makers, but I stand by my products.

God Bless

Dan
http://www.oldwestgoods.com

[Dalton Masterson]

Personally, I used Oklahoma leather until I started making my own. Was functional after a kitty litter nap to soak up oil. I have one that is really quite stiff, but its also short. I wish you luck sir, we need all the vendors we can get! DM

Addendum: I just looked, and the stiff one I have is a Triple K brand, not Oklahoma Leather. Triple K is a very good lower price option, if ya wanna go that route. Cabelas also sells it. DM

[Triggersmith]

2 cents worth (maybe more as I charge more for quality replies) from a leathercrafter 
1.  I buy 1st quality leather.  Not cheap imported crap
2.  I use several materials in the construction process.  (cement,dye, thread, etc.)
3.  I use skills that have taken me years to learn and develop.  (pattern making, tooling, finishing etc.)
4.  I hand punch and stitch everything I make.
When I'm finished I may have spent days from beginning to end of the making of a holster. 
So to answer your question  "Is this a good deal"  No it isn't a good deal.  It cheapens the craft, there is no pride in workmanship, and I wouldn't put a $2.00 capgun in one of those holsters let alone a $300.00 and up pistol.
Your choice.  Quality costs a bit more and lasts a whole lot longer.
Triggersmith

[Bad Hand Dan]

Howdy Triggersmith,

Good point! I build Street Rods, and if someone wants a '55 Chevy from me, it won't be cheap. The craft versus functional value will always be an ongoing battle. I'm switching to drag cars, so I can prove my point with time slips from the track. No complaining about the cost of aircraft quality fittings when I blow someones doors off.

I am very happy to have been engaged in this conversation. I know there are folks with many years invested in making VERY high quality leather goods. I admire you all a great deal.

My mission to lower the overall cost of getting into CAS is not meant to hurt the real craftsmen/women out there. I just got myself a super high quality rig from a Mexican leather maker and it got me excited about supplying this to other folks. Like anyone, I like a good deal. OK Leather is US made, so I thought that is pretty good. It is absolutely fine for a new shooter.

Thanks for all the interest in this and support I am recieving from cascity! I'm off to ship another order now.

God bless you all,

Bad Hand Dan
http://www.oldwestgoods.com

[Deadeye Don]

Although I personally appreciate and purchase good quality leather goods, we all do need to remember that not everyone can afford to plunk down 2-3 hundred for a holster and gun belt.  I do think that you get what you pay for in leather goods.  That being said there is plenty of room in CAS  for lower end leather products.  We all want to encourage pards to join up and have as much fun as we are having.  I would hate to see someone not be able to get involved in CAS simply because they were unable to find lower end and less expensive leather goods.   Companies like Oldwestgoods  should be encouraged and not discouraged.  I
have not lost sight of the original posters question and think it has been answered honestly.   Safe shooting. Deadeye.

[Triggersmith]

I'm not at all against good quality, low priced equipment.  Mexican tooled leather has been excellent for decades.  I just worry about someday seeing a  $10.00 holster with the makers stamp that says "China Leather Company."  Where does the "low end"  end?
Triggersmith

[Bad Hand Dan]

A BIG thanks to Deadeye! I truly appreciate your support. Starting and running a small business is not easy and I really work hard to make my customers happy.

I spoke to OK Leather this morning. I am planning a visit to their factory. They employ over 40 people as they manufacture their goods.

OK Leather confirmed I am indeed at quite a disadvantage as a small business. Cabelas gets big discounts and could put me out of business if they decided to.

I'm going to keep doing my thing and offering things you cannot get anywhere else, such as my cowboy t-shirts. And I'll offer the best in customer service!

It is important we have an entry level type of gear in any sport or entertainment. In my more reckless days as a pro musician, I used to pick up a 200 guitar and just destroy guys who had 5000 dollar guitars. I've grown up a bit since then, and I say to each his own... God doesn't allow me to play guitar any more with my brain cancer and whatnot. But I still can be a duelist and have fun.

God Bless you guys and keep the craft alive. When I've got more spare bucks I'll be shopping the hand made section.

Bad Hand Dan
http://www.oldwestgoods.com

[Triggersmith]

I'm a musician too.  I played a Hammond B3 with twin Leslies because I hated the sound of a cheap, crummy Farfisia.
If a person can't afford to buy a decent leather rig, likely he can't afford to buy a mechanically sound weapon.  That is scary.
It's nice to live in a country where we have freedom of choice.  I choose not to buy cheap stuff.
Well,   Bye
Triggersmith