Leather for Grips?

[DavidV]

I'm looking for leather to make grips for my selfbows but I have no idea what is what... I know what I'm looking for but I'm not sure what it would be called or sold under. I'm looking for something thin, it will stretch and fit tightly around my handle, and it should be slightly textured. Actually my mom has a purse that fits all of those qualities but I think she'll get mad if I borrow a few pieces of it  :rolleyes:  

Tandy leather has Remnant bags of scraps for less than 15 dollars a pound depending on the type. They have upholstry leather, suede, and Latigo. Any advice?

[Pat B]

Go to a thrift store and buy a cheap ladies purse and use the leather from that. Old boots or even old leather jackets can be bought cheap and in most cases the leather is still good for what you want it for.
If you want to buy new, 2oz to 4oz garmet or upholstery leather is what you are looking for. A furnature or auto upholstery shop should have scraps they will give you.

[7 Lakes]

Flea bay has sheep skins, deer works well also. Stingray & just about anything else you want.  

We have a goodwill store that you can often find leather clothing or purses.

Might even wander over to the shirts/coats isle.  I found a nice woolrich heavy wool shirt coat that fit me perfectly for $2.50.

[Sharp Shooter]

David, do you like this leather? If so, how big of a piece do you need and I'll send it to you. Tony

[DavidV]

Sharp Shooter, that's exactly what I was talking about! I couldn't take any more hand-outs right now plus I don't have any bows ready for grips yet and I have no idea what size they'll be. What kind of leather is that and where could I get some similar pieces?

[Pat B]

7lakes, did Abe Lincoln have internet service?

[fujimo]

veg tanned leather is usually thicker, moulds well when wet, and takes tooling and carving well.
chrome tan leather( purses, shoes, upholstry etc)is thinner, retains its shape better- wont stretch as much( usually- dependant as to where on the body it came from)
it is usually way stronger for its thickness, than veg.
latigo is a combination veg/ chrome tan- and then impregnated with oil.
belly leather has the most stretch - then shoulders- neck is very thick and very creased  (nice texture sometimes), backs the least stretch- butts the most workable- good quality and mouldable.

i like to use chrome tan for my handles- as do most people. latigo- is too oily to glue effectively.
just check which way the piece wants to stretch the most- and put that stretch direction running the way you want.
g'luck

[Gray Buffalo]

Good will, Lady's purse

[Roy from Pa]

Tanned deer hide is hard to beat.

[Sharp Shooter]

David, I have a local leather shop here, I think this was buffalo. Tony