Any suggestion where I could get calf leather or vegetable tanned leather

[David A]

If you want to tan it yourself, I've heard you can use the brains from the calf: "Every animal has enough brains to tan its own hide..."

[ckluftinger]

Here's another option for small amounts of leather: I have bought calf leather pants at the Sally Ann for $2. Black, brown - pink, if you're so inclined...

[Chuck Burrows]

FWIW - there is a sheath making forum her on KNET and at the top there are several stickies with lots of info regarding leather, tools, etc.
For vendors I like:
Here are the sources for supplies and tools and also some on-line tutorials that I have written and recommend...
http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tut...ather-zurl.jpg
http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tut..._baseball.html
http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tut...herstitch.html
http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tut...titchpony.html - this is how to make a stitch pony
http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/mexloop/_mexloop.html

Below are suppliers:
Veg/Bark Tan Leather:
Wickett & Craig - www.wickett-craig.com
I order the 8/10 oz Tooling-Holster or 10/12 oz Skirting and have it split to 8/9 oz - they will split it to whatever size you like if need be...
RJF Leather - http://rjfleather.com/content/index.php
Very nice double shoulders and sides - these are old style pit tanned hides from Portugal and are VERy nice and reasonable

Dyes, all types of leather including some exotics, hardware, etc.:
Leather Unltd - http://www.leatherunltd.com/care/dye/dye.html
Siegel of Ca - www.siegelofca.com
Leather Factory/Tandy

Linen Thread - 5 cord left or right hand twist is a good all purpose thread:
Campbell- Bosworth: http://campbell-bosworth.com/catalog...keywords=linen - I have not used the less expensive Hungarian thread myself so cannot offer an opinion whereas I have used the Barbour's for close to 50 years..

Tools: Cheap but OK:
Leather Factory/Tandy - the Craftsman brand

Tools: Better - Osborne and other better quality tools:
Campbell- Bosworth: http://campbell-bosworth.com/catalog...keywords=linen

Tools: Best:
Jeremiah Watt - www.ranch2arena.com
Expensive but worth it - made by a master saddle maker and a heck of a nice guy!

Gomph-Hackbarth Leather Tools
10754 N. Martineau Road
Elfrida, AZ 85610
520-642-3891
Hackbarthtools@hotmail.com

Robert Beard: http://robertbeardtools.com/index.html


Gore Tool Route 1
Box 306-B Caddo Mills
Texas 75135-9801
800-859-8338


McMillen Leather Tool Company
864 Four Waters Drive
Sunrise Beach, MO 65079
573-374-7880

Barry King
http://www.barrykingtools.com/

I can recommend all of the above having used them for several years (some several decades) - There are many other suppliers including Hidecrafters. Montana Leather, Oregon Leather, Zack White, Springfield Leather, and others including some suppliers on EBay - as always with any unfamiliar suppliers it's caveat emptor.....