Buff Leather

[lt508th]

I am looking for a source for "buff leather", which seems to have become as scarce as hens teeth. If anyone out there is aware of any tannery or leather supply warehouse which is still offering true buff leather, meaning the method by which it is tanned and not the color, I would appreciate the contact information. I inquired with Booth & Co., but according to them, they are likewise unable to locate buff leather and have been unsuccessful in locating any tanneries which are still willing to make it. Thanks!

 

[Capt. Jas.]

I haven't been able to find any since Booth was importing.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

Leather Guy has some listed but I have no idea of the quality, etc

https://theleatherguy.org/collectio...white-buff-for-reenactment-50-sq-ft-full-hide

 

[lt508th]

I haven't been able to find any since Booth was importing.

I checked with a number of sources I know that used to carry buff leather, but it seems most of them no longer carry it, because none of the tanneries are willing to produce it, primarily due to the steps and time commitment required. That said, I'm hoping perhaps some one here knows of at least one source or perhaps even has some buff leather left over from another project they might be willing to part with. Thanks for chiming in, Capt. Jas.!

 

[lt508th]

Leather Guy has some listed but I have no idea of the quality, etc

https://theleatherguy.org/collectio...white-buff-for-reenactment-50-sq-ft-full-hide

Thanks! I did see this earlier this morning, and it is a possibility, but I don't really need quite that much (minimum of 50 sq. feet), but it might come to that. Thanks again for pointing it out!

 

[Cooleys]

Try Joe Najecki at Najecki.com. He’s cut some strap and pouch dividers for me in the past.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

I did hear talk a couple of years ago that there was a small tannery out west that was producing some in small amounts but I can't come up with the information I once had on it.

 

[lt508th]

Try Joe Najecki at Najecki.com. He’s cut some strap and pouch dividers for me in the past.

Good idea - thanks!

 

[lt508th]

I did hear talk a couple of years ago that there was a small tannery out west that was producing some in small amounts but I can't come up with the information I once had on it.

Yeah, I seem to recall that Montana Leather was going to produce it, but I don't think it went anywhere.

 

[Cooleys]

There is a tanner in Montana that supplies buff tanned deer. The leather shop in Williamsburg told me about it while I watched them sew up a pair of breeches. They wouldn’t tell me who it was or contact info though…

 

[lt508th]

There is a tanner in Montana that supplies buff tanned deer. The leather shop in Williamsburg told me about it while I watched them sew up a pair of breeches. They wouldn’t tell me who it was or contact info though…

Thanks, Cooleys!

 

[Capt. Jas.]

There is a tanner in Montana that supplies buff tanned deer. The leather shop in Williamsburg told me about it while I watched them sew up a pair of breeches. They wouldn’t tell me who it was or contact info though…

That's the one. I have the info somewhere.

 

[Cooleys]

That's the one. I have the info somewhere.

Please let us know if you locate their contact info…

 

[lt508th]

I signed up for Montana Leather information a short while ago and here is their listing of deer hides: Deer Leather Archives

 

[springfield art]

Oh my, whatever will the re-enactors do? If anyone can locate or foment a source, it would be them! Good luck!

 

[BillyC]

So what exactly is “ buff leather”? I looked it up and see several different answers from bull elk hide to buffed deer hide.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

Crazy crow has hides. Buckskin, bison, smoked or natural.

 

[lt508th]

So what exactly is “ buff leather”? I looked it up and see several different answers from bull elk hide to buffed deer hide.

Buff leather is/was made from thick cow or elk hides, and the tanning process for buff produces a leather that is supple but very tough and long wearing, and provides good protection when wearing it. For instance, a cordwainers or shoemakers traditional apron is made using a sheeps skin with a piece of buff leather sewn to the top as the chest portion. In that profession, very sharp knives are used to make cuts in leather, and often times the cordwainer by necessity has to draw the knife towards themselves. So, if the knife "skips" or suddenly goes through the leather it is cutting, the buff will not allow the errant knife to cut through to the wearers chest. Does that help explain? Here is a site I found that has what I consider to be the best definition and explanation of buff leather: THE STRANGE HISTORY OF BUFF LEATHER- ITS ORIGINS AND MILITARY APPLICATIONS I'm taking lessons from a master cordwainer, if there is interest, I can post a pic of a cordwainers apron.

 

[BillyC]

Buff leather is/was made from thick cow or elk hides, and the tanning process for buff produces a leather that is supple but very tough and long wearing, and provides good protection when wearing it. For instance, a cordwainers or shoemakers traditional apron is made using a sheeps skin with a piece of buff leather sewn to the top as the chest portion. In that profession, very sharp knives are used to make cuts in leather, and often times the cordwainer by necessity has to draw the knife towards themselves. So, if the knife "skips" or suddenly goes through the leather it is cutting, the buff will not allow the errant knife to cut through to the wearers chest. Does that help explain? Here is a site I found that has what I consider to be the best definition and explanation of buff leather: THE STRANGE HISTORY OF BUFF LEATHER- ITS ORIGINS AND MILITARY APPLICATIONS I'm taking lessons from a master cordwainer, if there is interest, I can post a pic of a cordwainers apron.

Got it thanks. I originally thought the OP was referring to buffalo leather. LOL
I’m really knew to all of this.