Well folks, things are always changing at SLC! We are upgrading some of our storage space with a new roof! We’ll also be moseying on over next door to store even more products very soon.
Of course, getting things ready for the roofers caused us to move some things around and you’ll be seeing the fruits of that labor very shortly. With all of the purchasing Kevin and Rusty do, there is bound to be more than a few things that slip through the cracks. But that just means that we have even more new products just waiting to be made available for purchase.
The roof isn’t the only thing getting more secure. You may have also noticed that our website is now fully secure as well! With that increase in security, you should also see improved load times during your visits, If you are experiencing performance and cosmetics issues on our website, please clear your cache!
In the mean time, we’re still rotating staff around here and there trying to find the perfect fit of personnel new and old, but that’s an update for another day.
Until then, we’ll see you around the internet. Happy days!
Generally, the only times we would offer to cut belt strips is when we are selling the leather in belt strips, which we have a wide offering of. If you would like the leather cut into belt strips, that is usually a possibility. The charge depends on the leather – size, type, amount etc. If you would like something cut into belt strips, split (skived) or even leather shapes call us at toll free at 800-668-8518 or 417-881-0223 and ask about those services while ordering your leather.
Stories have been a part of SLC since the beginning. Heck, we even named our blog after one of Kevin’s favorite pass times. Today, we bring you a story that’s full of passion, determination, and ingenuity with results so miraculous, there’s no way it could have ever happened. Join us for a narrative about a man named Kevin, his arrows, and an absurd amount of deer.
Hey, Kevin! What’s up with all these holes in the deerskins? The skins are pretty nice, but how’d the scratches, holes, and tears get in there?
Kevin was hoping to keep this a secret, but since you asked- he’s decided to share the story, an absurdly fictitious and completely untrue story. A very embarrassing tale of a man who really wanted to try his hand at bow hunting one deer season. You see, Kevin is normally a rifle hunter. But this time he wanted to really get down to basic hunting roots. For we all know the hunter with a bow is the real hunter.
For years, Kevin has relied on his tried and true 30-06 to help him get the best buck around. But, as we said, this year he wanted to try the bow approach.
Let’s all get in the scene- it’s early morning right at day break. The air is crisp and there’s just enough chill to remind you winter is coming. Which is also why we hear so much bleating from does and grunts from those prize-sized bucks. Kevin has selected his favorite blind, at the tip top of the highest peak overlooking a large hay field below.
Kevin’s been patiently waiting for his buck to show himself. It’s getting to be lunch time and he’s hoping the deer can’t hear his stomach growling over the slight rustle of leaves slowly falling to the ground.
He decides it’s time to go in for a quick warm up with his wife’s tasty chili, but then he sees it. He sees the culmination of all deer, the granddaddy of them all, the prize he’s been waiting for all morning: the 37 point buck he’s eyed all fall is right at the end of the hill. About 35 yards away.
Rats! He thinks to himself. He knows if he is going to drop this deer with an arrow he has to be closer.
As we know, Kevin is a somewhat crafty man and never lacking in ingenuity. He has a brilliant(?)…flash! He’s brought way too many arrows with him. There’s a large sinkhole not far from the base of the hill.
Perfect for a punji pit! What’s that you ask? Stay tuned and you’ll see.
Kevin scrabbles down the hill without a sound, and surveys the sinkhole.
Then he begins his task of creating a large punji pit with all his arrows… well all but one. He starts crafting the pit by sticking the arrows, pointy part up towards the sky, in the bottom of the pit. He finishes and looks over to check on his prize buck, who’s still lazily grazing in the afternoon sun.
Kevin takes his one arrow left over and lines up his shot. He’s not aiming for the buck though, he’s aiming behind it. He’s hoping to startle this big guy into the pit.
He takes one long steady breath and holds it as he sends his arrow flying through the fall air. It lands perfectly just behind Mr. Big Buck. As it lands Kevin notices something he didn’t before. He’d been too focused on the buck to see the huge herd of deer in the cedar trees.
All the deer begin running towards Kevin, and his gigantic punji sinkhole. Before he can count the deer they all begin falling into the pit.
When it’s all said and done, Kevin has to drag over 200 deer out of the woods, skin them, and process the skins. What a mess! Needless to say the skins have holes, drag marks, scars, and rough areas on the grain side of the skins…but the flesh sides turned out pretty darned good!
The details: These special purchase deerskins come in a variety of pleasing natural colors (gold, smoke, and saddle tan). The skins are pretty nice, but many have scratches, holes, and tears. But with a deeply discounted price we know you can forgive us for their less than perfect condition.
We call this craft grade, and it means it’s perfect for all you visionaries out there. You can make many items which you want to have a soft feel. Think pull-string satchels, moccasins (these won’t hold up for longtime wear, but will be very comfy), festival clothing, gloves, and wallets just to name a few.
While we are not experts on snake-proof boots, a bit of research is telling us that leather is generally a good bet against their fangs. As 8-10 oz is on the heavier side of things, it sounds like a fairly safe bet. Still, we encourage you do some research independently to be sure!
There are lots of great finishes that you could use, the choice you end up making will depend on how hard you want it to be, how shiny you want it to be and how much abrasion resistance you’re after.
I’ll preface this by saying that leather gets scratched, that’s just a fact. You won’t totally be able to protect it from little harms that may come along the way. If it’s an item that will be seeing a lot of heavy use, you may consider using a leather that is more naturally abrasion resistant first and then sealing it well.
Now, there is a post all about finishes coming up soon, so we’ll try to keep this answer as simple and specific as possible.
An acrylic finish is what we suggest. It will keep your work flexible and give you some abrasion resistance, as well as seal in any color you may have added. You can build the acrylic up for a thicker finish, but you’ll want to do it in thin layers to avoid cracking and peeling.
If you’re looking for more hardness, you might try a polyurethane based finisher. It is also relatively thick and will stiffen/harden your project considerably – the degree depends on the ratio/product you’re using.
Oil based sprays like Master’s Quick Shine will give you a high gloss finish and an excellent seal, but won’t do much in the way of protecting your work from scratches. Lacquer will give you similar shine but can also be susceptible to scratching.
