Sources for items please?

[Marcruger]

Hi Folks,

I am in need of sources for a couple of items please.  I would greatly appreciate any "steer" or leads you could provide. 

I bought the buckle below from a vendor at CLA.  I like the plain, simple iron design with narrow edges.  To my eye these go well with common bags, versus fancy brass buckles.I need a 1" width or slightly wider. 



I am also seeking a source for very thin, but flexible and/or stretchy leather.  This is for use in rolled edges.  I have been using some super stretchy buckskin, but it is relatively thick and bulky.  Great for the top edge of a pouch where you hand rubs, but not so much for decorative edging.  Perhaps goat? 

Many thanks in advance, and God Bless,   Marc

[Mike from OK]

PM sent

After my fiasco with the rawhide, my wife took pity on me and ordered some very thin goat skin from eBay. I'm always hesitant to order from there because you never know what you'll end up with... But I am pleased with this stuff.

Mike

[PrairieD]

For your buckles, check with John Rader at Morning Sun Forge...

Mike C.
Pretty Prairie, KS

[Mark Elliott]

I am ordering my buckles from Crazy Crow these days.   They are not exactly what I would like, but they are good enough and I can get them.    As to leather,  I hand pick it at my local Tandy store.  I buy their Calfskin when I need thin stuff for bindings, rolled welts, linings and the like.   It is expensive, but good stuff. 

[Marcruger]

Thank you so much folks! 

[James Rogers]

Can't help with the folk type of buckles but there was a fellow by the name of John Radar on the Traditional American Craftsman  Facebook page recently pounding out a huge batch of them and they looked really nice.
Try Pergamena for goatskin. You might also want to invest in a manual splitting machine to bring your leather to a usable thickness.  I would look at properly restored antique ones. Try Bruce Johnson for those.

[davec2]

Marc,

I have had very good luck with kangaroo leather.

https://www.davidmorgan.com/shop/category/7_11_194/leather-goods/braiding-leather-supplies/kangaroo-hide/

It is available several other places as well.  I made a bag for myself out of it and also sent some to James Rogers and had him make me a really nice bag.  Several times stronger than bovine leather as well.

[Marcruger]

Thank you so much folks.  I will dig into these sources. 

The more leather I am working, the more I am coming to a deep understanding of using the right product for the right job.  There is no "one size fits all" that I can see in leather. 

God Bless,  Marc

[thecapgunkid]

For your buckles I'd start with the re-enactor vendors because some of them keep a sharp eye out for that.

When you dink around with different types of leathers, look for belly cuts.  They will be advertised as such and you don't want to buy thick leather.  Cowhide at 2-4 ounce thickness will stretch a little for you especially if you wet ( but don't soak) it.  Also, try skiving the strips you use to fold over the edges.

[J I]

H & B Forge sells buckles that look similar to what you are looking for. Here is the link.
http://www.hbforge.com/belts-buckles