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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Safari Scott on May 02, 2013, 07:42:00 PM

Title: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Safari Scott on May 02, 2013, 07:42:00 PM
Hey all, I've finally worn through the face of my black widow tab and I was going to put something on. I know cordovan is the best but I'm a big horse guy and don't particularly like the of shooting With one, is there a way to treat deer or cow or even a synthetic that would have similar durability and slickness?

I'm guessing the answer is no but worth a try...
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: SELFBOW19953 on May 02, 2013, 07:57:00 PM
SS,

I know how it is.  My wife and I have 8 horses, 6 mini's and 2 full size.  We don't do horse products.
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Fletcher on May 02, 2013, 11:24:00 PM
Saunders Pac Tab.  It's plastic, but the only thing tough and slick like cordovan.
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Bear Heart on May 02, 2013, 11:32:00 PM
I am pretty sure they are not slaughtering horses just to make these.
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Safari Scott on May 03, 2013, 12:34:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Bear Heart:
I am pretty sure they are not slaughtering horses just to make these.
Haha I know that, and I certainly don't begrudge those who want to shoot with cordovan tabs, but it just sours the experience for me a little - I just wish they did Kangaroo skin ones, it's tough as hell and those things are a damn near epidemic up North now!
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Hud on May 03, 2013, 12:56:00 AM
You might look in a surplus store, used military, etc. (Goodwill in USA) for something with Nylon in a med. to heavy weight that will fold, but not develop a deep crease.
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Shawn Rackley on May 03, 2013, 01:44:00 AM
right there with u buddy. after i ffound out it was hoarse i never could look at my glove the same again.  i was raised around hoarses all my life roped and everything in inbetween. so gave the glove away to a buddy that had no money and got an american leathers bigshot. with nylon. not the same though. but i did like it so i stuck with it. years later lookin back i dont miss the cordovan. like u know probs with guys that use it. i just dont want to
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Stone Knife on May 03, 2013, 03:52:00 AM
We have a horse and a pony, I have no problem using cordovan. I just use it and don't let it get to me.
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Izzy on May 03, 2013, 05:20:00 AM
Alaskan bowhunting supplies sells a kangaroo glove.
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Roger Norris on May 03, 2013, 06:12:00 AM
I thought cordovan was also made from goat?
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Brianlocal3 on May 03, 2013, 07:48:00 AM
I can Appreciate your preference not to use it. It personally does not stop me but I will say the Saunders PAC tab will serve your purpose very very well. If you like a thinner feel you can buy just the saunder tab , it's the thin plastic only and it's nice or buy the PAC tab and build it to your preference,
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Mudd on May 03, 2013, 09:04:00 AM
I use cordovan tabs and like horses.

I also like the taste of horse or at least I liked what I ate in a fancy French restaurant in the city of Tours, France.

In fact I have fonder memories of my  "viande de cheval" than of my marriage that also happened there....lol

God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Tim Finley on May 03, 2013, 09:39:00 AM
Mudd always has somthing great !! There are cow hide ,deeskin,buffaloe hide and many other materials that I think are better than cordovan . I used to make my tabs from cow hide backed with elk skin now I use the leg skin of deer, down low it is short hair, the hide is fairly thick and it is slick.....Tim
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: savage1 on May 03, 2013, 10:17:00 AM
I am speechless.

Lou
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Mudd on May 03, 2013, 10:52:00 AM
Apologies to anyone who might have been offended by my post.

Please forgive me.

God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: savage1 on May 03, 2013, 01:23:00 PM
I am not offended. I just didnt want to offend anyone myself so I said I am speechless.
I believe in using everything but the oink..
Lou
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Angus on May 03, 2013, 01:35:00 PM
So Cordovan is horse leaather?  Didn't know that!  Here I thought it was something that came from a city in Spain   :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: WINDTALKER on May 03, 2013, 02:28:00 PM
Ok Mudd that was funny. I also did not know it was horse leather... Huh? You learn something new every day
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: FAV 52 on May 03, 2013, 05:33:00 PM
Don't know what kind of leather it was but i made tabs out of my old check book cover ; money slid out of it fast enough ; worked good; tuff and slick; the back of a goat skin glove has worked well also.
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: TRAP on May 03, 2013, 05:51:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Mudd:
I use cordovan tabs and like horses.

I also like the taste of horse or at least I liked what I ate in a fancy French restaurant in the city of Tours, France.

In fact I have fonder memories of my  "viande de cheval" than of my marriage that also happened there....lol

God bless,Mudd
You might need a little sensitivity training Mudd,   :deadhorse:    :deadhorse:    :nono:
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Pat B. on May 03, 2013, 06:16:00 PM
I've been on more than one horse I'd have like to skinned myself!
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Safari Scott on May 03, 2013, 08:24:00 PM
Well at least you didn't get roped into eating snail over there. The one I had tasted like an old eraser dipped in butter. I think it was actually a sea snail too. Rest of the food was pretty great.

I'm really happy to see lots of other friends of equine here, I was starting to think I'd gone soft before!

Oh and I had a great chuckle about the check book   :biglaugh:
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: BWD on May 03, 2013, 08:25:00 PM
I hear tell mule hide is at least half as good as cordovan.
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Roadkill on May 03, 2013, 10:04:00 PM
Most folks in this country have love hate relationship with horses.  "Wild" horses are all over sections of this state.  Stallions stake out the limited waterholes and let none but their band in to drink.  The BLM has about 2000 just out of Reno, and will sell you as many as you want , cheap.  We tax payers pay to feed these unfortunates.  My daughter in law bought one, prisoner broke for $200.  Good little gelding.
There are "wild" horse advocates that happily let these critters over graze and gaunt, starving horses are the result.  There has to be a happy medium, but they have yet to fi d it.  I too believe food for the hungry is reasonable if done properly.  I lived i. The Orient and swore some meat I ate there meowed!
Sorry, but this is close to me as I belive we have political situation over shadowing real world problems.
 Cordovan is primo and go to a thrift store and get a pair of Italian shoes and make a tab from the tongue
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: creekwood on May 03, 2013, 11:27:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by BWD:
I hear tell mule hide is at least half as good as cordovan.
Now that is funny!   :)   (For those not in the know, a mule is half horse, half donkey.)
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Keefer on May 04, 2013, 05:32:00 AM
They all end up as worm meal so get the most out of them as you can is the way I see it...What good is a dead horse besides feeding worms anyway?
Now don't take it the wrong way I love Horse's but once dead they have no idea of what's happening anyway...It's kind of like a "doner" or a "cadaber" helping others with transplants     :rolleyes:    :deadhorse:
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Jake Fr on May 04, 2013, 06:18:00 AM
I have some horses use em for cowboyin here when needed and live to rope and train colts for people but I have rode some that need to be eatin not rode. I remember years ago a boot company here used mule hide as itis tuffer than cow or bull hide
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: stillhunter on May 04, 2013, 09:08:00 AM
Roger, how could you? I love goats! Mudd your forgiven only if I am.
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: JAG on May 04, 2013, 09:32:00 AM
Have worked, riden, and trained horses all my adult life.  Have been a pleasure rider, working ranch hand and rodeo cowboy.  My wife makes a living training and riding and boarding horses.  The great equine is a friend and compainon, maybe even a healer.  But they are still a work animal.  Don't take me wrong, I have shed many a tear over the loss of a 4 hoofed friend/family member.
There are people that will starve one to death, rather than send it to slaughter.  With the horse slaughter in the US shut down, there are many horses dieing from starvation, neglect and abandoment.
So why not use what can be used and still honor our hoofed friends.
If I offended anyone......
Johnny/JAG
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Safari Scott on May 04, 2013, 10:38:00 AM
I agree with you, Jag to a certain extent. If I happened to go by a farm and he had just had a horse die or shot one that was lame or whatever I would be happy to use every part of it, as wasting it would be almost disrespectful.

Unfortunately I doubt this is how cordovan comes around in most cases...
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: MTArrowLauncher on May 04, 2013, 11:50:00 AM
Some....Fabric softener, sugar, dog food, medicine, glue,etc etc are made with or a by product of horse, I find it odd for people to use the products of billions of other apparently "lesser" animals, but draw the line at horse etc. It makes more sense to me to put an animal to use than let it go to waste. When I lived in an AK Village I saw many a garments made from sled dogs that died, no sense in wasting a resource.

This is just my opinion, to each their own  :)
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: gregg dudley on May 04, 2013, 12:06:00 PM
This is the same white buffalo/white deer conversation that we have on here every couple of months.  There is no logic in protecting or revering one species or individual over another.  There is also no reason why an individual can't choose to do so if he wants to.  As humans we are all inconsistent on one issue or another.  It is what makes us individuals.
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: MTArrowLauncher on May 04, 2013, 12:10:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by gregg dudley:
This is the same white buffalo/white deer conversation that we have on here every couple of months.  There is no logic in protecting or revering one species or individual over another.  There is also no reason why an individual can't choose to do so if he wants to.  As humans we are all inconsistent on one issue or another.  It is what makes us individuals.
Well said, everyone makes their own decision on what works for them
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Mudd on May 04, 2013, 12:18:00 PM
Maybe we can get back to helping Safari Scott find some more answers to his question.


Scott there a lot of different leathers that will work well if you use some talc or corn starch on them to keep them dry and slick.

God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: MCNSC on May 04, 2013, 02:14:00 PM
I like carodavan leather tabs. If I were to change I would defiantly try the PAC Tab from Saunders. One benefit would be a more consistent thickness. When I buy Carodavan tabs sometimes there is a difference in thickness.
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: rainman on May 04, 2013, 03:20:00 PM
Go to this website to find out how cordovan leather is made.  www.thetanneryrow.com (http://www.thetanneryrow.com)
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: sagebrush on May 04, 2013, 04:00:00 PM
WOW!!!!!! $395 for a wallet.
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Jakeemt on May 04, 2013, 05:12:00 PM
Why not order some kangaroo leather and make your own tab?
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Safari Scott on May 04, 2013, 07:12:00 PM
Yeah we did get a little off topic from what materials work to a theological discussion on the merits of using horse products   :eek:  

Anyway I think I might just make one with Kangaroo or goat, they should be pretty east to come by down here. Thanks for all the suggestions!
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Al Dean on May 04, 2013, 07:41:00 PM
Take a piece of leather.  Wax it with a good paste wax (Johnson).  Iron with a iron on high.  Repeat waxing and ironing until you get the finish you like.  You are actually cooking the leather to harden it up some.
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: 2fletch on May 04, 2013, 07:48:00 PM
Damascus is goat hide, it's used a lot, and it seems to work well in a glove. It may not be as good as cordovan in a tab, but probably isn't bad. We may have to check that out.

Cordovan involves a lot of processing to get it so slick and durable. The cost of it is high and you may wait a long time. It was about 3-4 months wait the last time I ordered it. You may pay over $100 for a shell that will only make 12-15 tabs. That come out to about $7.00-8.00 per tab, not counting the cost of constrution, etc. A dealer has to struggle to keep their price down, but yet make a small profit.

 :laughing:    :laughing:
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Spookinelk on May 05, 2013, 01:36:00 AM
If God didn't want us to make tabs out of horses he wouldn't have wrapped them in leather...  :deadhorse:
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: LYONEL on May 05, 2013, 04:25:00 AM
You live in Australia mate, stick to roo pound for pound the toughest leather you will find. I was talking to a customer of mine the other day who sells custom made race suits for motor cycle racing, his standard suits are made out of cow leather & his top of the range & best are made out of roo leather. He calls it the carbon fibre of the leather world! Best for abbrasion resistance.
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: moththerlode on May 05, 2013, 10:57:00 AM
They are wrapped in cordovan, not leather ,please try to keep up   :saywhat:  


QuoteOriginally posted by Spookinelk:
If God didn't want us to make tabs out of horses he wouldn't have wrapped them in leather...   :deadhorse:  
Title: Re: Is there a non-horse equivalent to cordovan?
Post by: Angus on May 05, 2013, 11:05:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Safari Scott:
Well at least you didn't get roped into eating snail over there. The one I had tasted like an old eraser dipped in butter. I think it was actually a sea snail too. Rest of the food was pretty great.
I'm half Scots, half French; my French Grandmother loved to remind me that Coq au vin-chicken in wine sauce-was made from the one that *didn't* make it across the road.