Import Tooling Full Grain Cowhide Leather 5/6 oz (2mm) Medium BROWN

Full Grain Oil Tanned Leather - Pre-Cut Pieces

5-6 oz (1.8-2mm) Thickness | Bourbon Brown | Sizes from 6" to 48"

Premium European Cowhide for Tooling, Stamping & Leather Craft | Made by Craftsmen, For Craftsmen

Ready-to-use oil tanned leather in rich Bourbon Brown, cut from imported European hides and finished with our signature beeswax process. Choose the size that fits your project and start crafting immediately.

Why Oil Tanned Leather

Oil tanning infuses the hide with natural oils during the tanning process, creating leather that's supple, water-resistant, and develops a distinctive pull-up effect. This method produces leather that's easier to work with while maintaining excellent durability.

• Natural Suppleness: Oils keep the leather flexible without sacrificing strength
• Water Resistant: Built-in protection from moisture
• Pull-Up Character: Lightens at bends and stress points for lived-in look
• Rich Patina: Develops beautiful character with age and use

What Makes This Leather Different

• Import A1 Grade: Selected for consistent quality and minimal defects
• European Origin: Sourced from hides known for dense fiber structure
• Medium Weight: 5-6 oz (1.8-2mm) balances flexibility with body
• Bourbon Brown Finish: Rich, uniform color with natural pull-up
• Dual-Side Treatment: Grain side smooth with subtle sheen; flesh side stained with natural drab tone and finished with our beeswax process

Available Sizes

Pre-cut pieces range from 6" to 48" in various configurations. Select the dimensions that match your project to eliminate waste and start working immediately.

Common sizes include:

• Small pieces for wallets, fobs, and practice work
• Medium panels for journal covers, phone cases, and accessories
• Large sections for belts, holsters, sheaths, and bags

Check size options in the dropdown menu above.

Perfect For

• Journal & Notebook Covers
• Wallets & Cardholders
• Phone Cases & Electronics Sleeves
• Belts & Straps
• Bags & Pouches
• Knife Sheaths & Cases
• Gun Holsters
• Guitar Straps & Covers
• Jewelry Boxes
• Upholstery & Repairs
• Armor & Cosplay Builds

The ELW Finishing Process

Every piece of leather we sell receives our signature treatment. The grain side retains its natural smooth finish with subtle sheen and characteristic oil tanned pull-up. The flesh side is first stained with a natural drab tone, then treated with our special beeswax process.

This beeswax finish helps the leather maintain its shape without synthetic stabilizers, creating a natural, durable material that works beautifully and lasts for years.

About European Leather Works

European Leather Works is a family-owned American business dedicated to providing premium leather to crafters and artisans at every skill level. We import select full grain hides from European tanneries and finish them using traditional methods and natural ingredients.

We don't just sell leather; we use it for our own projects daily. Every piece meets the standards we demand for our own work.

• European Hides: Dense fiber structure, consistent quality
• Beeswax Finished: Traditional process, natural ingredients
• Craftsmen-Owned: We use what we sell

Product Specifications

Note: This is natural full grain leather displaying authentic grain characteristics. Minor variations in color, texture, and natural range marks are signs of genuine leather and add unique character to finished projects. Oil tanned leather may show pull-up (color lightening) at bends and folds; this is a desirable characteristic, not a defect. Thickness may vary ±0.2mm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is pull-up leather? A: Pull-up refers to the way oil tanned leather lightens in color when bent or stretched. This creates a distinctive two-tone effect that adds character and shows the leather's natural oils at work. The color evens out with gentle rubbing.

Q: Can I tool and stamp this leather? A: Yes, though oil tanned leather behaves differently than vegetable tanned. It accepts stamps and light tooling well, but for deep carving and detailed tooling work, vegetable tanned leather is the better choice.

Q: How does oil tanned compare to vegetable tanned leather? A: Oil tanned leather is more supple, naturally water-resistant, and develops pull-up character. Vegetable tanned leather is firmer, better for detailed tooling and wet molding, and starts with a natural tan color. Choose based on your project needs.

Q: Is this leather water resistant? A: Yes. The oil tanning process provides natural water resistance. For heavy exposure, we recommend treating with a leather conditioner or our waterproofing spray.