Where to buy leather?

[Jokerman]

Im on the hunt for some leather. I want some good quality black leather to make a laptop sleeve out of. I have a design drawn out but can't seem to find a place that sells leather without buying in bulk. I just want to make a prototype for know. Can anyone recommend a place?

 

[frenchy]

Originally Posted by Jokerman

Im on the hunt for some leather. I want some good quality black leather to make a laptop sleeve out of. I have a design drawn out but can't seem to find a place that sells leather without buying in bulk. I just want to make a prototype for know. Can anyone recommend a place?

buy an old leather jacket at a thrift store and take it apart,better yet an old messeger bag or attache case??
i use old braided leather belts for the leather for my bike grips

 

[TimH]

Originally Posted by Jokerman

Im on the hunt for some leather. I want some good quality black leather to make a laptop sleeve out of. I have a design drawn out but can't seem to find a place that sells leather without buying in bulk. I just want to make a prototype for know. Can anyone recommend a place?

Hi Jokerman, you may like to contact Tandy Leather or a leather merchant in the US and see if they have an offcut or similar small skin of about 6 -8 sq ft. I imagine you would need softy cow side in about 1.00 mm to 1.5mm maximum thickness and in full grain if you want the best. Similarly Nappa (Hair Sheepskin without the hair)might suit but this is more suited to clothing and does not stand the wear of cow hide. Hope this helps, Tim Hardy

 

[impolyt_one]

You need to decide whether you are wanting garment leather or saddle/belt leather first. 'Leatherworking' and hobbyist places like tandy tend to sell the latter and not much of the former, other places vice versa.

 

[otc]

Originally Posted by frenchy

buy an old leather jacket at a thrift store and take it apart,better yet an old messeger bag or attache case?? i use old braided leather belts for the leather for my bike grips
I like that....will consider applying to a bicycle. How did you affix the ends? I already bought matching cloth tape to shellac onto the bars of my current project but that technique is going on the list.

 

[watchcollector2454]

on a similar note, does anyone know where one can find kangaroo leather?

 

[Roy]

Originally Posted by watchcollector2454

on a similar note, does anyone know where one can find kangaroo leather?

I know a place in Amsterdam that deals with exotic leathers. But I imagine it would be hard to deal with them on such long distance.

 

[watchcollector2454]

i'm in the uk so i'm not too far away. maybe i could stop by if i go there for a visit. would really appreciate more details

 

[impolyt_one]

Kangaroo leather isn't all that rare or exotic, as Kangaroos are culled for food regularly and is a common garment weight leather for smaller things.