- What is a single bend?
- A single bend is one half of a hide, cut along the backbone, covering the shoulder through the butt. It gives you one large continuous piece rather than two smaller sides.
- What can I make with 4 to 5 oz. leather?
- This weight works for bags, totes, straps, belts, upholstery panels and structured garments. It is too firm for soft linings and too light for heavy-duty harness work.
- Can I dye and finish the natural leather?
- Yes. Vegetable-tanned natural leather accepts water-based and alcohol dyes, oils, waxes and finishes well. Test on a scrap first, since the uptake can vary across the bend.
- How much usable leather is in one piece?
- Expect roughly 9 to 11 sq. ft. per bend, but shapes vary. Plan cuts around edges and any natural marks, and buy more than your pattern calls for.
- How does it compare with chrome-tanned leather?
- Veg-tan is firmer, molds and stamps better, and ages with a patina. Chrome-tan is softer, more uniform and cheaper, but it does not tool or burnish the same way.
- How should I store it?
- Keep it flat or loosely rolled in a dry, dark place away from direct sun. Natural veg-tan darkens with light and picks up moisture, so avoid damp basements.
- Where is the European Veg-Tan Single Bends cheapest?
- At Burch Hill Tack, for $89.99, as of our latest check.
- Where can I buy the European Veg-Tan Single Bends?
- 2 stores we checked sell it, including Burch Hill Tack, Amazon.