What Animal Does 1/4 Inch Thick Leather Come From?

[RATTER15]

I am looking at getting into leather work and making goods from leather, I am just curious as to what animal has a hide that is 1/4 inch thick as is readily available to buy.

Buffalo or Bison maybe?

[woofgang]

My german cowhide briefcase is that thick. It weighs a ton!

[Nibble]

Hi, Ratter, a vvv quick googling brought up this....

http://www.eidnesfurs.com/buck.1.htm

Specifically, .... Due to the uneven thickness of raw hides, (a bull elk may be 1" thick in the neck, 1/2" thick in the back and down to 1/4" thick in the belly)


Any good?

[Mick-Talbot]

Not sure how thick the skin is but I would imagine quite thick.

http://www.fursource.com/beaver-fur-pelts-tanned-skins-p-339.html

[DTCwordfan]

there's a few ABers with thick skins that we could nominate......

[Psybbo]

DT, I heard that!

[Graham-W]

I have some oak tanned cowhide which I use for turnshoes for medieval re-enactment. The stuff I use for soles is 1/4 inch thick. Can't remember where I got it though.

[Mick-Talbot]

Mine is second to the Rhino.

[DTCwordfan]

this may or may not help you ratter
http://www.leatherhidestore.com/what-type-of-leather-do-i-need

[Graham-W]

Could have been here: http://www.tannerbates.co.uk/leatherworktools/
They do selection packs for the beginner and also the tools.

[Nibble]

Do they do AB protective thickness though, DT? It might be prudent to lay some in, in current times, IMHO. Remember gness is still running round with "that" axe, etc......... :)

[Graham-W]

BTW A good source of cheap leather is charity shops. Ask if they can save you any damaged leather coats that are handed in. Dirt cheap and excellent for practice and small projects.

[RATTER15]

Thanks all, I would never have thought cow hide was so thick! an Elk is
1 inch thick!! difficult to believe really.

Graham, I wouldn't really be interested in the thin leather from coats, I want the thick leather for belts, collars and cases, sheaths etc but thanks for the tip.

[Nibble]

This one looks fairly chunky though, ratter....

http://www.hideandcollars.co.uk/images/blackcollar_lacedWP7.jpg

[RATTER15]

Nibble, that is the sort of thing I am looking at making, heavy thick leather work. thanks, I love that collar.