Author Topic: Costs and Where to Buy??? (Read 2528 times)

Cheyenne Ranger · « **on:** February 06, 2004, 08:08:24 AM »

So to do leather working, what are we looking at in leather (weight and whatelse?) and in tools?

Costs?? remember if I want to have fun doing this I want to use more than a sharp rock to cut the leather.

And some suppliers?

Thanks,
ÇR

Lazarus Longshot · « **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2004, 08:41:27 AM »

Cheyenn Ranger,
The Leather Factory in Missouri City is where several of my friends (Dirty Foot and Yankee Z) get their leather, supplies, tools, etc. I don't know if their prices are good or not, as I have nothing to compare them to. I know it's on the wrong side of Houston for you, but I don't know of anything on your side of town. I understand that the local Tandy store folded a while back.

Here is The Leather Factory corporate website, with an online catalog:
http://www.leatherfactory.com/

Local store info, from the website:
Manager: Mike Ator
Street Address: 1703 Texas Parkway
City: Missouri City
State: TX
Postal Code: 77489-2171
Main Phone: 281-208-9293
Toll Free: 877-662-3265
Fax: 281-208-9354
Email Address:houston@leatherfactory.com

MOGorilla · « **Reply #2 on:** February 06, 2004, 10:03:06 AM »

Glad to see this forum up. I would advise taking it slow at first, I used some waxed linen thread, a punch and some needles from a craft shop and my exacto knife to cut for my first holster. I can reccomend both Tandy and the leather factory. I have also used the internet quite a bit. I both my first 1/2 hide-26 square feet out of Canada, they had a great return policy and insisted on sending me a 2" square sample first. I will look into who that was. If you are going for fur trade ear items, I recommend Moscow Fur and Hide in Idaho. They are on the web too.

Dalton Masterson · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2004, 01:45:41 PM »

Tandy is up and running well again, and I think they are owned now by the Leather Factory. They have good specials usually every month. www.tandyleather.com I haven't tried any other outlets yet, as I am pretty new at this too.

DB Leath · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2004, 01:26:57 PM »

Ranger I am just getting started really.....I use Hidecrafter myslef. The man that owns it used to be VP of Tandy years ago. The business is family run and the folks are friendly.

I used a beginer kit I had years ago and added a few tools for sewing leather.

The biggest help to me was a few books

1 Sewing Leather

2 Making Leather Pouches

Good Luck

DB

SoloKane · « **Reply #5 on:** February 08, 2004, 01:51:17 PM »

Lazarus, thank you for posting the info about the Leather Factory store in Missouri City. I went down there after reading your post, and stocked up. The prices were very reasonable.

All this time, I did not know Houston had a leatherwork supply place. I've been going to Southern Shoe Supply for leather and dyes, near downtown. Man. it was nice to find the Leather Factory store! It's got all I need.

Thanks, pardner!

Lazarus Longshot · « **Reply #6 on:** February 16, 2004, 04:40:38 PM »

SoloKane,
Glad I could help! Cheyenne Ranger and I belong to the same Cowboy Action Shooting Club, so I know where he lives. I'm just glad the post was useful to you, too!!!

jrdavis · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2004, 07:55:38 AM »

might also try www.hideandfur.com...Moscow hide and fur

whitecloud · « **Reply #8 on:** February 24, 2004, 01:09:12 PM »

try this also http://www.brettunsvillage.com/leather/

dancbtmkr · « **Reply #9 on:** September 16, 2004, 08:27:01 AM »

http://www.twleather.com/index.htm

Better prices than the other guys. These boys are stright outta texas. I've done business with them and I'm totally happy.

Bull Harris

Rancher · « **Reply #10 on:** September 27, 2004, 03:30:54 PM »

I've found the Leather Factory stuff to be higher in price and somewhat lower in quality than some other places. Its not bad if you can go to the store and physically rummage through the sides of leather and pick out what you want but they're a last resort for me on a mail order deal. I like Mid-Continent Leather in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They sell good stuff and the staff that I've dealt with have always been knowledgeable and great to deal with. Seigel of California is good too. Good specials and they have some hard to find leathers as well. Their "Diamond Tan" leather is really top notch for chaps, but the sides run a little bit small sometimes. You can find both of these places on the web.

Best suggestion I can make is buy the best knives you can find and keep them sharp. A knife that is getting dull will slip out of a thick, hard piece of leather that you're trying to cut and if your hand or arm happens to be in its path when it runs, its gonna hurt. I'm missing part of the tip of my left thumb and have another scar or two as a reminder. I guess I learn slower than most.