A business question for the group. What would you say is the yield on a veg tan side? I'm pricing a basic job out for someone and I don't want to undercut how much leather I'll need. I know each piece of leather I need is about 8x5 or so on some eye glass sleeves and want to buy hides as they are much more economical.
So for instance if I buy a 22ft hide is it safe to say may 10% is unusable for the project based on scars and marks or possibly more? I know so many say the main item you need to calculate right for is your leather or you can kiss your profit away haha.
Thanks all,
Matt
@Matt Roach Some great points from @dm and @Fadi Great advice guys.
Depends a lot!
Apart from all the point cited above, the yield of a hide for making wallets is totally different from making bags.
When making a wallet, you can cut around small scars and nicks, and you can even hide some of the scars (like on tslot for example). But, for a bag for example, 2 or 3 scars in the wrong place can mean you might need an extra side to complete the bag.
So, for big projects, always buy Grade A leather in bend of double shoulders if available (less waste areas). For small goods, you could get away from B Grades
Hi Matt,
Like almost everything in leather craft – it depends!
2 factors I consider is the quality and where it comes from.
Many tanneries have a best, mid and low end veg tan leather. The low end is not good for anything of quality and the mid isn’t much better. Get to know which one you’re buying.
European hides have less scars on them because they don’t use barbed wire on their cattle fences. They tend to be more expensive for North American users than the local stuff.
Another thing to consider is that the belly and shanks are of almost no use for what you’re doing, so your estimation of 10% is reasonable and maybe on the low side. If you are wanting to get maximum use of the leather then I would suggest getting a bend or shoulder (single or double) instead of an entire side.
Moe