Sourcing your own leather for a jacket in the USA?

[JLStorm]

I recently contacted a US jacket manufacturer who did not have the weight of leather in stock that I was interested in, but they said that I could provide my own leather for them to use. This is an option that I never even considered. Does anyone know how to go about sourcing a very small quantity of leather for use in a single jacket? Im interested in goat, cow, or bison/buffalo.

Any suggestions?

 

[TheSnark]

You should be able to obtain any number of hides of cow, bison, elk or deer from Uber Tanning. No where near as cheap as manufacturers can obtain for larger orders, but it is possible.

http://uberleather.com/leather_prices.html

Do you mind sharing which manufacturer is willing to do the work? I'd like to talk about a custom elkskin jacket myself.

EDIT added: BTW, I can't vouch for all their hides, but I have a motorcycle jacket from Uber, and the deerskin is excellent.

 

[JLStorm]

You should be able to obtain any number of hides of cow, bison, elk or deer from Uber Tanning. No where near as cheap as manufacturers can obtain for larger orders, but it is possible.

http://uberleather.com/leather_prices.html

Do you mind sharing which manufacturer is willing to do the work? I'd like to talk about a custom elkskin jacket myself.

EDIT added: BTW, I can't vouch for all their hides, but I have a motorcycle jacket from Uber, and the deerskin is excellent.

US Authentic. We havent talked about pricing though, so Im not sure how much less a jacket will be if using a hide I purchased elsewhere.

 

[Navin323i]

You should be able to obtain any number of hides of cow, bison, elk or deer from Uber Tanning. No where near as cheap as manufacturers can obtain for larger orders, but it is possible.

http://uberleather.com/leather_prices.html

Do you mind sharing which manufacturer is willing to do the work? I'd like to talk about a custom elkskin jacket myself.

EDIT added: BTW, I can't vouch for all their hides, but I have a motorcycle jacket from Uber, and the deerskin is excellent.

That's a cool site... thanks for providing the link.

One question... on that site it indicates that #1 Elk is $150/hide. How many hides would be needed to make a jacket? Is one hide enough?

 

[TheSnark]

How many hides would be needed to make a jacket? Is one hide enough?

You'll probably need two elk hides. See the website on a different page for number of hides needed for a jacket:
http://www.trophyhidesleather.com/how.html

 

[Southernwayfare]

What about Horween? Do they only do wholesale? Never hurts to ask...

 

[JanSolo]

http://www.wickett-craig.com/

Good place for heavy veg tanned skins.

 

[JLStorm]

Turns out US-A wont work with anything over 3.5 oz They say leather that heavy isnt for use in clothing. My 6+oz jacket is insulted...

 

[Navin323i]

You'll probably need two elk hides. See the website on a different page for number of hides needed for a jacket:
http://www.trophyhidesleather.com/how.html

Ooops... sorry for not noticing that page before.

 

[Navin323i]

Turns out US-A wont work with anything over 3.5 oz They say leather that heavy isnt for use in clothing. My 6+oz jacket is insulted...

Seriously? Does US-A not realize that plenty of companies out there use leather heavier than 3.5oz for use in jackets? That makes no sense what they said. :eusa_doh:

 

[JLStorm]

Seriously? Does US-A not realize that plenty of companies out there use leather heavier than 3.5oz for use in jackets? That makes no sense what they said. :eusa_doh:

Quoted from their email:
"Anything over 3.5 oz is not for apparel. I can use heavier hides but I will
need to skive the seam areas and that will be costly."

 

[crimsonofsam]

Beware of Shaul Dover!I made a very expensive mistake per a custom jacket.Check out Johnson leathers if you want fantastic customer service.

 

[TheSnark]

Ooops... sorry for not noticing that page before.

No problem... but keep in mind that the number of hides required very much depends on the design of the jacket. Generally speaking, a jacket with fewer, larger sections of leather will require more hides than a jacket with numerous smaller sections. Features like one-piece backs, bi-swing backs and reinforced kidney panels (and other things) require additional leather. For that reason, the number of hides/jacket quoted on the website can only be considered a guideline... you may need more. Best to discuss the design on the jacket with the manufacturer beforehand.

 

[Vornholt]

Beware of Shaul Dover!I made a very expensive mistake per a custom jacket.

I've never tried to source my own hides for a jacket, but I've always had excellent service from Shaul at US A.

 

[Tony No-Toes]

Lanlitz Leathers has an elk hide option. Not sure of the color options other than the gold/butterscotch pictured here: http://langlitzjapan.com/leathers/elkskin.html

Email Dave Hanson and he can tell you what the options are. leathers@langlitz.com