Tandy Craftsman Veg-Tan Side vs Hermann Oak A Grade Veg Tanned Strap Side

Buy the Hermann Oak if you need consistent thickness and clean, tight-grained leather for tooling, straps or holsters. Buy the Craftsman if you want a large natural veg-tan side to practice on, carve, and dye without worrying about trimming defects. Hermann Oak's A-grade sides are firmer and more precisely split, but owners report hard spots, holes and short usable footage often enough that the grade is not a guarantee. The Craftsman is honest C-grade leather: more range marks and brands, softer hand, and a lower bar to entry.

• Choose the Craftsman Veg-Tan Side if you are learning to carve, stamp or dye and want a big natural side where trimming around marks is part of the process.
• Choose the Hermann Oak A Grade Veg Tanned Strap Sides if you need firm, evenly split leather for straps, belts or tooling work where thickness consistency matters.