Leather Questions (Tandy/Leather Factory)

[Cat]

I've done a lot of leatherwork and have tons of tools. I'm about to tackle my first sporran, but I've got a question for all of you that have used Tandy (or Leather Factory, since they're the same company now.) I've mostly only ever worked with belt blanks and smaller tooling leather pieces, and the larger hide pieces I worked with in the past were given to me.

Question: Tandy's website only allows you to purchase full hides. I certainly don't need a 30-square-foot hide at $8 a square foot (nor could I afford it!) So if I go into a store, will I be able to buy only what I need?

I know I could call Tandy tomorrow, but I'm awake and I know that I'll probably forget by morning anyways. Besides, I was already on the forum.

Thanks!

[berserkbishop]

I have never been into a "Tandy" store, but my local leather shop is a tandy dealer. I would say there is a high probability that they do custom work at the Tandy in question and will no doubt have remnants for sale, if not I have some scrap from some saddle bags that I could hook you up with if you are looking to make a "traditional sporran." Good luck.

BB

[Cat]

Thanks! I found out that I could email each individual store, so I shot them an email.

If it doesn't pan out, I may take you up on your offer. I'll let you know! (It's going to be a fairly plain day sporran, FWIW.)

[Canuck]

The leather is sold by the sq/ft. You can get half hides some of them as small as 17 sq/ft. They may also have a scrap bin that you would be able to rummage through

[Howard Clark]

The store here is Dsm has a remnant bin of small pcs. Probably your store does too.

[James MacMillan]

If there is a store near you, go there first, as you will (should) find pieces to your liking.

[Cat]

I called my local store and they said they only sell the hides whole (even though they're priced by the sq/ft), they don't cut them up. I know they have a remnants bin, so I may go down and dig through it one of these days, but that's always hit or miss. They do have some kidskin hides for about $20 for a full hide (which would probably be enough for two or three sporrans), as well as some "economy" deerskin hides for about $30 for a full hide.

I was thinking today that I might just be able to go to a thrift store and find an old large leather purse or something and scrounge the leather from it.

[Kilted in Maine]

I remember this source being posted a while ago

http://www.brettunsvillage.com/leather/sides/

[O'Neille]

I happened to go to one today when I picked my Mom up at the airport in Tucson. They had plenty of small soft hides. In veg tan they only had double shoulders in anywhere from 3 to 12 oz. A full double (10 square feet) shoulder of 5 oz will only set you back about $70.

[Kilted in Maine]

Check out the "gridiron" about 3/4 the way down the page

http://www.brettunsvillage.com/leather/sides.htm

Hmmm - a football sporran to wear to the game?