Bag Makers ???

[Short Arm]

I have a few ? to ask about the leather you use.


1.VEG TAN 2.BRAIN TAN
3.OIL TAN

What oz. size do you uses
1. 2-3 oz
2.3-4 oz
3.5-6 oz

DEER HIVE BRAIN TAN ?
1. Yes
2. Other
Thanks for the help

 

[jethro224]

I like oil tanned cow hide in 4.5oz weight. It's tough and relatively weather resistant. Others will surely have different opinions and preferences.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

I use vegetable tannage. Thickness varies depending on what is being made.

 

[necchi]

Pretty tuff questions actually, because leather weight and it's "tan" is directly related too it's flexability and use.

For bag making, you kinda need something that's going to hold it's shape when stitched into the shape you want and not act like a plastic bag full of water when gear is tossed in the bag.

Thickness chart; http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/infoandservices/leatherguide/leatherguide.aspx
And Tanning techniques;
Veg tan generally leaves Leather less flexable,
3-4oz Veg Tan is flexable enough for bags and will retain shape, but you get into 5-6-7oz and it's more like a belt, saddle or tooling grade leather.
Chrome Tan leaves leather more flexable in a heavier weight and a 6-7oz will make a nice bag and used by many market makers. I have an October Country that's .090 thick and I've used some thats .110 and still nice.

Both Veg Tan and Chrome Tan can be "oiled". Not a big deal when choosing one or the other because you can treat your pouch with any of several products to "water proof" the finished bag. http://www.ldsleather.com/leather_tutorial.html

Braintan anything is usually soft,Buckskin can be some pretty thin stuff, I use it for small "medicine/tobacco" pouches and as a covering for leather or rawhide sheath's but it doesn't have enough body for a larger bag by itself.
Brain tan Elk hide makes a good bag when it get's up around 6-7oz or more, Buffalo is even thicker.

Good luck, Other's will chime in too

 

[Short Arm]

Thanks folk for your help. This is what is the info I was looking for.

 

[rabjr]

I've used all three and try to stay within 3 to 5 oz.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

I guess you also need to know whether you want to attempt historical period bags or bags that appear old timey and are for rendezvous/hunting situations. This will determine your leather types as well.

 

[Short Arm]

Would like to make both. But the period bag I would not make them look old. I like to let the weather and time do this.

 

[groundhoginwv]

Be sure to get TC Alberts book, its worth the price I assure you.

 

[Short Arm]

groundhoginwv , have had Mr. Albert book now over a year. Lot of good info.

 

[preston cook]

thought you was in business with beaverman he is supposed to be a bag maker :rotf:

 

[Short Arm]

Tucker we are not in business together, but we do respect each others craft. We are friends and have a lot of mutual friends in the area and on the boards.

I may be given the opportunity to proceed along this line and that is why I'm asking these questions.

Thanks again folks for all the help. All the info you've given has been great.

 

[shortbow]

I generally like veg tan because of the hand and the light stiffness, in the 4-5 oz range usually, that's for bullet pouch sized and a bit bigger. In small bags and pouches I usually use buckskin commercially tanned or pebble grain oil tanned.