Crazy Crow's German tanned buckskin is not as strong as real brain tan, this is certainly true, but it is not bad for bags and such if you can't tan your own or afford the prices brain tan go for these days.
My concern would be the quality of Stitching and what was used to sew it, the overall construction. Not being able to See it, Touch it, or even know 'who' made it - Buyer Beware.
With that said; I bought some of their 'Smoked' German tan (**it was smoked but not REAL smoked, it just had a pleasant 'smokey' smell...which did not last and did not effect the color as true smoke tan would) - but it did make a fine bag I have used for years now and still not showing any wear other then getting dirty.
Trick was using ticking for liner (prevent stretching) , using Welts between pieces to prevent cut through.
Also the piece I got was discounted as 'reject' since one shoulder was not fully tanned (half way to rawhide and worked great for the back panel).
Also I agree; ditch the artificial sinew and use a good linen thread or even leather/buckskin lace (lots of buckskin and elk lace can be found on etc, even real brain tan if you look hard enough).
As for doing your own quilwork - I haven't tried quill yet but that looks like a good beginner's pattern to start with and some good tutorials out there for it.
In the end you will pay more but will have something that won't fall apart after a few outings.
My concern would be the quality of Stitching and what was used to sew it, the overall construction. Not being able to See it, Touch it, or even know 'who' made it - Buyer Beware.
With that said; I bought some of their 'Smoked' German tan (**it was smoked but not REAL smoked, it just had a pleasant 'smokey' smell...which did not last and did not effect the color as true smoke tan would) - but it did make a fine bag I have used for years now and still not showing any wear other then getting dirty.
Trick was using ticking for liner (prevent stretching) , using Welts between pieces to prevent cut through.
Also the piece I got was discounted as 'reject' since one shoulder was not fully tanned (half way to rawhide and worked great for the back panel).
Also I agree; ditch the artificial sinew and use a good linen thread or even leather/buckskin lace (lots of buckskin and elk lace can be found on etc, even real brain tan if you look hard enough).
As for doing your own quilwork - I haven't tried quill yet but that looks like a good beginner's pattern to start with and some good tutorials out there for it.
In the end you will pay more but will have something that won't fall apart after a few outings.
