Hey all, I have a funny question about leather working. Can it be done without animal products?
It seems very unlikely that there would be a synthetic material that could be tooled like a real hide, and I haven't been able to find any faux leather thick enough to try it on anyway. Does anyone know if you can buy a synthetic hide of appropriate weight for sheath making? Maybe there is some kind of heavy fabric that could be stained or dyed? The next best thing I can think of is a Free Range supplier of some kind, but have had no luck tracking one down.
Has anybody come across anything like this in their travels? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
An interesting question Paul. Curious, exactly what do you mean by "free range"?
Maybe it would be a good idea to check some of the leather crafting, or saddle-making forums. I know that I have run across them while surfing the internet, but don't have an address for one.
Free Range refers to the raising of animals in humane conditions. Like cows being able to be outside and graze naturally, no use of genetic enhancements, etc. It's a term for organic meat mostly, but leather comes from the same place so I would imagine there is some kind of equivalent.
I will check in with a leather working forum, and see if I can't find an answer somewhere.
