What Type of Leather are You Using

E

ecallahan

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I’ve got myself thoroughly confused. For knife sheaths what type of vegetable tanned leather are you using? For instance Wickett and Craig has American Vachetta, English Bridle, Traditional Harness, Carving and Skirting. The descriptions are somewhat similar in a few cases. I’d appreciate knowing what you are using. Thanks!
 
Currently I'm using Herman Oak but the last couple pieces I've had has me leaning towards Wickett and Craig for my next order. I agree their website is kind of hard to decide which is the right choice for sheaths or holsters. I plan on calling them and talking with them but I'm thinking on getting the "carving".
I know Dave-Horsewright leather uses their leather, maybe he'll chime in here and give us some info.
 
I'm a strong advocate of Wicket and Craig leather. For day in and day out I use their skirting leather, russet, 8/10 oz. For other projects I have used both their harness and their English Bridle. But for sheaths and holsters I use the skirting. Randy makes a bunch of holsters too and if he is using harness leather for them it must work. I just have never have tried it.

That being said I usually have a side of Herman Oak around. Its easier to find in lighter weights So I have a side on the shelf right now of 5/6 oz.

Why do I prefer the Wicket and Craig over the HO? Consistency consistency and consistency that I've found lacking in the HO. Also and a big ALSO. Ya unroll a side of Wicket and Craig and it always seems like there is more useable leather in that side than in a side of HO. Remember that bottom of the side wrinkled up piece that you can't even use for welts, cost just as much as the good stuff up by the spine. More bang for my $ from the Wicket and Craig.
 
I actually should have said I have used Wickett and Craig harness and skirting for years with no issues. Each has its place and use. Holster and sheath main bodies are always skirting, sometimes with overlays of various types. I have used thin harness for overlays on holsters where the customer wanted more water resistance than the skirting would provide with reasonable coatings. It does a good job of shedding water but is a bit more easily scratched. I also use harness for a number of smaller cases I make for various items. Harness does not work well by itself on items that require molding.
Randy
 
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SwissHeritageCo said:
I use Hermann Oak shoulder specifically for the uniquely hard temper, but it's expensive when you consider the amount of usable leather that you actually get.

I intend to try Horsewright Horsewright 's suggestion on my next order.
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A great example of the consistency I'm talking about. The temper on the last side of HO I had was firm like you are looking for. This side that I have currently, very flimsy, slamost like not the same leather.
 
Horsewright said:
A great example of the consistency I'm talking about. The temper on the last side of HO I had was firm like you are looking for. This side that I have currently, very flimsy, slamost like not the same leather.
Click to expand...

I've noticed that with the hermann oak sides too. Some of them can get a little "foamy" feeling, they take a nice burnish but I'm betting that don't hold up nearly as well. It's one of the reasons I went back to using shoulders exclusively. It's essentially a premium leather because out of each shoulder only 2/3rds is usable and even the usable parts come with a fair amount of marks.

Not to mention that Hermann Oak measures thin compared to other leathers I've used (at least from Springfield) but considering the hard temper, having it slightly thinner doesn't bother me much.
 
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