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Type of Leather
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2022 7:34 am
by Rangerofthesea
Greetings all,
I am trying to decide which type of leather to choose for my coat. My current coat has lasted me about 20 years and been through a lot, it was made with goatskin. It has been stitched up many times and would tear quite easily when moving through the woods, though I didn't mind so much as it added to the jackets character.
I have been looking at a more expensive cowhide leather coat that, from what I have read online, is a bit more durable and weather resistant. Does anyone have any experience with cowhide coats? Is the difference between that and goatskin worth the extra cost?
Re: Type of Leather
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2022 4:51 pm
by jasonofthehill
Don't have any experience with coats, but I do work with leather. Cowhide should be tougher and generally thicker as long as you are going with full grain and not suede. I've not used goat skin before, but it's usually advertised as for it's softer more delicate texture. If by weather resistance you are talking about the rain, you might want to try treating it with mink oil. Make sure to test it on a spot out of sight first, because it probably will darken the color a bit (gonna just have to decide if you like the color it changes to), and make sure to only use it on the outside if it gets on your clothes it could stain. The mink oil will only help for so long if you're stuck in a downpour, and is no help if it gets submerged.
Re: Type of Leather
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2022 8:32 pm
by Rangerofthesea
jasonofthehill wrote: ↑Wed Jun 01, 2022 4:51 pm
Don't have any experience with coats, but I do work with leather. Cowhide should be tougher and generally thicker as long as you are going with full grain and not suede. I've not used goat skin before, but it's usually advertised as for it's softer more delicate texture. If by weather resistance you are talking about the rain, you might want to try treating it with mink oil. Make sure to test it on a spot out of sight first, because it probably will darken the color a bit (gonna just have to decide if you like the color it changes to), and make sure to only use it on the outside if it gets on your clothes it could stain. The mink oil will only help for so long if you're stuck in a downpour, and is no help if it gets submerged.
Thank you, thats been really helpful. I had not considered mink oil, I was looking at something like beeswax to make it water resistant, given me something else to think about now. It's mainly rain and wind I want to protect myself from so will opt for the cowhide.
Re: Type of Leather
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2022 3:37 am
by Eofor
Have you any access to deer leather? In my opinion it's the ideal blend of suppleness and strength.
Re: Type of Leather
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2022 7:12 am
by Iodo
the absolute ultimate choice for a coat is brain-tan leather, because of it's breathabitity, if you can get some
Re: Type of Leather
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2022 1:34 pm
by Jack
I'll second deer hide /brain tan if this is a DIY project.
Hard to beat real buckskin in this specific application if you're going the DIY route.
I specify DIY because most if not all buckskin you buy commercially is most likely going to be chrome tanned leather that is "buckskin colored" and not brain tanned/smoked deer hide.
All that aside there is a drastic difference in durability between goat and cattle hides and I'd definitely go with the latter if those were my only choices. Hope that helps you make a decision. Best of luck.
Re: Type of Leather
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2022 1:37 pm
by Cimrandir
Late to the party and only parroting what others have said but yes, brain-tan is the way to go. Greg made his jerkin from brain-tan and it looks wonderful and according to his field reports, it functions like a beast too.
Re: Type of Leather
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2022 9:04 pm
by Greg
Cimrandir wrote: ↑Fri Jun 03, 2022 1:37 pm
Late to the party and only parroting what others have said but yes, brain-tan is the way to go. Greg made his jerkin from brain-tan and it looks wonderful and according to his field reports, it functions like a beast too.
True dat.
Re: Type of Leather
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2022 10:07 pm
by Elleth
I would think it would depend somewhat on application, yes?
It's my understanding that while braintan is outstanding against the various scratches and abuses of the train (and weathers exceptionally well, and breathes like nothing else)... it's so-so for wind resistance and not very water resistant, yes?
Thus, I'd think for general woods tromping a nice lined braintan outer layer would be fantastic - for wet island winds perhaps a solid cattleskin is still in the running?
For what it's worth I've played a bit with braintan leggings, but never a proper jerkin. I do quite like it, and would love love LOVE to make a proper woodsy jerkin someday - but I still think it's wise to be aware of its limitations.