Hazards of buying skins

[Cuedog]

So far, I have just done business as usual and purchased leather blanks from the popular sources and will continue to do so for now. But, my question is, what are all the problems associated with purchasing genuine skins like Teju Lizard, Ring Tail lizard, Snake, etc., directly? Thanks.

Gene

 

[jazznpool]

My experience with hides (not lizard, snake) is that it is extremely difficult to obtain them skivved to a consistent workable thickness--even when the thickness is specified to the splitter. I do know that I was part of the learning curve for one supplier from New York

Martin

So far, I have just done business as usual and purchased leather blanks from the popular sources and will continue to do so for now. But, my question is, what are all the problems associated with purchasing genuine skins like Teju Lizard, Ring Tail lizard, Snake, etc., directly? Thanks.

Gene

 

[CamposCues]

Teju or Tegu

Not to get off topic but I've never heard of a teju lizard. I've heard of a tegu lizard. I notice all the boot and belt makers list it as teju lizard but anything I've ever seen on reptiles calls them tegu lizards. Anyone have any idea why?

 

[Cuedog]

Campos, I just emailed a couple of sites I found on the net to see if we can get an answer to your question. I'll let you know.

Martin, Can you be more specific regarding your dialog with the splitter? What unit of measurement was used in the description of the thickness you were looking for? Ounces, Millimeters. Irons, or fragments of an Inch?

Thanks for your help.

Gene

 

[cueman]

Not to get off topic but I've never heard of a teju lizard. I've heard of a tegu lizard. I notice all the boot and belt makers list it as teju lizard but anything I've ever seen on reptiles calls them tegu lizards. Anyone have any idea why?

I will guess one is using the Spanish spelling and one is not. But that is just a guess.
You will also find variance in wood spellings like Ziricote spelled Zircote.

 

[Cuedog]

I just got an email back from one of the sites I contacted and you are exactly right Chris. One is the English spelling and the other is Spanish. Thanks.

Gene

 

[Hal2]

Leather warps

I belive the closer to 0.025 of an inch is the most desirable.
Regards,
Hal

 

[jazznpool]

The leather people call it 1-1/2oz. or .6mm which is .024''. I've learned that it is much easier for the splitter to cut down heavier goods to 1-1/2oz than say 2oz. to 1-1/2 oz.

Martin

Campos, I just emailed a couple of sites I found on the net to see if we can get an answer to your question. I'll let you know.

Martin, Can you be more specific regarding your dialog with the splitter? What unit of measurement was used in the description of the thickness you were looking for? Ounces, Millimeters. Irons, or fragments of an Inch?

Thanks for your help.

Gene

 

[Cuedog]

Very interesting regarding the splitter Martin. Here is a partial chart.

The standard term for the thickness of leather is ounces.

The measurement of the thickness of a finished leather in
millimeters (1 mm. = 0.03937 inch),
irons (1 iron = 1/48 inch),
ounces (1 ounce = 1/64 inch):

Inch Ounces Irons Millimeters

1/64 1 .075 .04
1/32 2 1.5 .08
3/64 3 2.25 1.2
1/16 4 3.0 1.6

Gene