Thursday last I went to Northampton to my general supplier. Northampton was a major centre for the shoes making industry in times past. Industrial scale shoe making has been moved overseas like so many other manufacturing businesses however the design and development departments of many famous name shoe makers are still based in the town. I had a chat with the owner. I had brought swatches as references for the items I was to make. This kept me focused as I could easily spend all my money buying interesting leather. The shops has two parts. One part is out warehouse which is racked out of one side to hold hundreds of rolls of leather of every conceivable colour, weight and finish. Under the packaging desks, on the other side of room are more more racks but this area has all the high quality leather which are stored flat. It was from these racks I got a bridle shoulder. This is for my exhibition pieces of bridles and halters. I also got a very nice piece for one of my commissions.
The other part of the site is "The Shed". This is a more casual affair. More racks on the walls but also pallets on the floor. Leather everywhere. Everything from Buffalo to lamb kips and again all kinds of finishes. The tricky bit is that no two hides are the same and the finishes can be a bit dodgy with blemishes here and there. However the hide is good quality, notwithstanding the blemishes, and it is cheaper. You just have to figure out how to cut the piece from the hide and work out the benefit of wastage versus cheapness. I found many decent hides I just had to focus on what was needed for my immediate needs.
Then the fun begins. Estimating the size of the hide. You have to pay for all the hide even though it irregular in shape. Multiplying the square footage by the price. Then some chin scratching and sucking in wind. Maybe even a low whistle. Cost, counter cost. Eventually a shake of hands and one of the chaps wraps up the purchases. Everywhere I go they wrap the hides in brown paper.
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