I purchased 4 double shoulders on sales and had them stored in a dark dry place 6 months ago. I started using it yesterday and the leather seemed very soft and 'floppy'. I had no idea that there was a difference. GREAT POST! To bad in the morning I am going to find out I have 4 8/9 oz double shoulders of leather I do not know what to do with. Dennis
Who did you buy it from? You should be OK since double shoulders are generally veg/bark tan and not chrome tanned. Not all Veg tan is as hard as a rock or should it be.
Now for a couple of notes:
Chrome tanned leather is widely imported and is cheaper than vegetable tanned.
Another indicator that your actually getting Veg tanned leather is price. Premium quality Veg tanned is going to be in the $7-$8 per sq. foot for 9-10oz....chrome tanned can be had for about 1/2 that cost.
Generally speaking chrome tanned is cheaper but far from always, there is a lot of higher end that can cost as much or more than even premium veg tan.
As to paying $7-8.00 a sq/ft IMO you're paying too much. Wickett and Craig sells for around $5.50 a foot or you can buy it on sale every month for between $90.00 and $120.00 a side (approximate 24 sq ft) dependent on type. This is the leather Paul Long, Sandy Morrisey, myself and many others use. Yes you can pay more but there is no need to. You can also buy pre-dyed veg tan from W & C in black, brown, and cherry - Paul L uses it and it saves dying for those who can use pre-dyed leather.
Another source I've recently come across is RJF Sales out of Elmira, NY 607-742-8969. This is old fashioned pit tanned leather from Portugal and based on the sample is VER nice. Roger sells sides and double shoulders (the latter usually the most economical for many builders) and prices range from $4.50 to $6.50 a square foot.
As to salts (CT) vs acids (VT): Yes chrome tanned (actually more often today they use other metallic salts or aldehydes to tan with) will stain and rust a blade especially if the leather is wet, but even the best veg tan will do the same since it is naturally acidic (about 4.5 on the PH scale - 7 is neutral- while one might have the bright idea to neutralize veg tan to lesson the acid content it is NOT recommended - it will ruin it - trust me!). So despite the type of leather, IMO one should NEVER store their knives or guns in leather of any type for any length of time. Sealing the inside of the sheath or holster will help, but not stop rust. And yes I know there are exceptions - to experiment I have stored knives and guns in dry leather for long periods of time without problem, but do not recommend it.
As to how to tell the difference? IMO once you've handled both types it's easy to tell the difference, although another test is to dampen/case the leather and try stamping it - generally on CT the water will just bead up on the surface at first and then soak in and a stamp will not leave a good impression at all, where as on veg tan, natural or drum dyed, the water will soak in immediately and the stamp will make a good clean impression.
Also for what it's worth - the various grades of veg tan such as premium, regulkar, etc. or #1, 2, 3, or A, B, C, refers to how clean and free of range marks and brands the face of the leather is. A #3 for instance, even though cheaper can be just as good a leather as #1 or A grade, but will have more marks and possibly brands on it - for my aged look I like #3's but for those preferring the least amount of surface dings then get #1 grade by whatever name used. Backs are the premium cuts as well with no belly leather anywhere, but the price will run $1.00 to $2.00 more per sq foot, and generally it isn't necessary for sheaths and holsters.
