Types of leather

[Vasilex]

I'm getting more into falconry right now, I do want to get falcon but want out of college and have a better place for my bird to stay and all. I've heard roo skin is the best for pretty much anything. Very durable, I've also heard the thickness, size and so on but what I haven't heard is the type. I mean suede, rawhide...etc. I'm thinking more of a suede texture to it. Though, not quite sure.

Vasile

[Aaron]

I am sure someone will tell you about needing to be an apprentice and about your choice of birds so I am not going to say it...

But the leather is smooth like this:



*edit pic wasn't showing up...hmmmm

[Vasilex]

Even as a apperentice my choices are limited to the American Kestrel and the Red-Tailed hawk, would most likely choose the Red-tailed hawk. But just curious on the type of leather "most" (used lightly) likely to be used. Read up a bit more and oils ruin rawhide, so that's gone now...

[Tiercel78]

Kangaroo leather(very strong) is probally the favorite as of lately.-Zach

[Beibhan]

tanned 'roo hide I believe is the term. This is the Northwoods wording:

Quality bark-tanned kangaroo leather for making hoods, anklets, jesses and bewits. Twice as durable and puncture-resistant than most leathers. Must be cut and oiled, per our instructions, for maximum strength. Sold only as half or whole skins. Note: Half skins are half the cost of whole skins. Lighter weight skins are available by request for raptors smaller than Coopers Hawk or Tercel Peregrine Falcon. They are smaller skins and cost less. (Please Note: These kangaroo skins are from species that are legally harvested in Australia.)

They sell books on leather working and making falconry equipment. You can always teach yourself that stuff while you are waiting. If you get good you may be able to sell some of it.

You want smooth texture so blood and dirt clean off easier.

[Pogo]

I like the idea of having a little blood stain on my birds jesses. I think I'll frame the first kill jesses with the blood stains on them. ;D

[Bob Dale]

Roo is the best, kip is my second choice. Elk is good, too. I make all my own leather goods. It isn't difficult. Hoods are a bit of a challenge but practice makes perfect. There are several places to get roo hides. Ebay has them every once in a while. I've gotten hides off of ebay for $50 and less. Hides are usually 5-7 square feet. Some of the internet sites sell them for $125 and more. One hide will last you along time. One side is usually smoothed or finished and the other side is rough (suede).
I prefer good, thick roo hide. Be sure to check the thickness before you buy.
I don't use rawhide at all. To hard.

[Vasilex]

Beibhan said:

tanned 'roo hide I believe is the term. This is the Northwoods wording:

Quality bark-tanned kangaroo leather for making hoods, anklets, jesses and bewits. Twice as durable and puncture-resistant than most leathers. Must be cut and oiled, per our instructions, for maximum strength. Sold only as half or whole skins. Note: Half skins are half the cost of whole skins. Lighter weight skins are available by request for raptors smaller than Coopers Hawk or Tercel Peregrine Falcon. They are smaller skins and cost less. (Please Note: These kangaroo skins are from species that are legally harvested in Australia.)

Aww, that about does it for me. Haven't been to northwood in a longtime. Veggie tanned, I heard is good from some other place. Yeah, practice...need practice in making hoods, jesses, anklets and so on, before I get a bird. Have been reading and read alot of books, err a few. Some highly recommended books by alot of people, they just didn't say what type or texture of leather to use. Guess, just one large Roo hide would be suitable for almost everything used that is leather, that veggie tanned hide?

[Bob Dale]

The tanning process used isn't as important as the quality of the hide. Make sure it's the right thickness for the type of bird you're going to fly. Have fun!

[Weasel]

Anyone have any idea what the term "chrome tanned" means. I have heard this term several times and was wondering what the process is.

[jondarp]

Weasel,

I ofund this on a leather tanning site:

Chrome tanned leather is tanned using soluble chromium salts, primarily chromium sulfate.

[Weasel]

Thanks...

[Bob Dale]

It makes a difference in the way the leather looks, which is very secondary to me. Good, strong, ugly leather is better than weak, flimsy, pretty leather.

[Weasel]

You mean you don't use the leopard print leather for equipment?

[Bob Dale]

What?... and waste good underwear material?