Sourcing leather from A. A. Crack & Sons

[zebedee]

I’ve just ordered samples of Carlo Badalassi and others in paler tan/ochre shades in a range of thicknesses from 1.2 mm up to 2 mm. Which jacket makers (I’m presuming JL) would I approach if there’s a sample that I might want a Half Belt or CR made out of? Would I order and pay for the area of hide required and have it shipped to a manufacturer? I’d check if they had it in stock first, etc.

 

[Guppy]

You'll want to make arrangements through the maker and check to ensure they will do an order with customer supplied leather. It's iffy for them, because if the hide they receive from the supplier doesn't meet their standards or isn't enough quantity, that can be a big problem for them. You'll need to ensure that you order enough leather so they can still pick the best parts of the hide to make the jacket, and it's more than you'll likely think. They'll have extra left over, so you might want to specify that they ship the excess to you for your own purposes (maybe you can make something small like a belt or a watch band or wallet with the remnant).

AA Crack have good stuff. I sent out to them for samples some time ago for a project I never ended up pursuing, but the samples I received were really nice.

 

[zebedee]

You'll want to make arrangements through the maker and check to ensure they will do an order with customer supplied leather. It's iffy for them, because if the hide they receive from the supplier doesn't meet their standards or isn't enough quantity, that can be a big problem for them. You'll need to ensure that you order enough leather so they can still pick the best parts of the hide to make the jacket, and it's more than you'll likely think. They'll have extra left over, so you might want to specify that they ship the excess to you for your own purposes (maybe you can make something small like a belt or a watch band or wallet with the remnant).

AA Crack have good stuff. I sent out to them for samples some time ago for a project I never ended up pursuing, but the samples I received were really nice.

Thanks - the Stevedore hide looks good, but it would need splitting. Good info - I might contact JL and see what yellowish/bone/tan colours they have. The various ‘natural’ hides don’t quite appeal (yet).

 

[Trouser Bark]

When supplying hides for a jacket yourself you might be surprised at how much leather it takes. I was.

 

[AerGuitar]

^^ true story. I use an average of 38-40 sq ft to make a size 40. Cost adds up very quickly!

 

[AerGuitar]

^^ true story. I use an average of 38-40 sq ft to make a size 40. Cost adds up very quickly!

I could be off on that number slightly… At least this is what I need to plan for when starting a jacket, it depends on the usable yield for a particular hide/side. There are always varying degrees of scraps. I don’t use most of the belly on full hides, so I may need to buy 50+ ft to get what I need. I believe with tanneries like Badalassi, it is sold as double shoulders and there is no belly to deal with. I guess my point is, buy more than you think you need to be safe.

 

[zebedee]

Thanks for the info - I was going to go the double shoulders route. This may be a long-term plan…