#2 Hermann Oak Natural Belt Bend

Leather Type: Cowhide
Tannage: Vegetable Tanned
Cut: Belt Bend
Average Size: 10–11 sqft
Temper: Firm
Item Number: (Add Item Number)

#2 Hermann Oak Natural Belt Bend

Looking for the legendary quality of Hermann Oak leather at an exceptional value? Our #2 Hermann Oak Natural Belt Bends offer the same premium vegetable-tanned leather, cut from the strongest and most uniform section of the hide, while allowing for additional natural character marks that many craftsmen are happy to work around.

By removing the belly and shoulder, the bend provides long, straight cutting areas that are ideal for belts, straps, tack, and countless other projects. A full bend will typically yield 16 to 18 strips measuring 1½ inches wide and averaging 55 to 60 inches long, making it an economical choice for both hobbyists and production shops.

Unlike our #1 Belt Bends, #2's may feature additional scars, range marks, or an occasional butcher cut on the flesh side. A vertical scar may also be present. These natural characteristics are reflected in the grading but rarely prevent you from producing beautiful finished projects with a little thoughtful layout.

The dense fiber structure and tooling qualities that have made Hermann Oak famous remain unchanged. Whether you're building work belts, ranger belts, tack, holsters, knife sheaths, straps, or practicing your carving and stamping skills, these bends provide the same dependable performance that leatherworkers have trusted for generations.

Tips for Working with Vegetable-Tanned Leather

Before carving, stamping, or tooling your Hermann Oak leather, it's good practice to slick the grain surface. Doing so helps smooth fat wrinkles, compact the grain, and minimize burnish marks, resulting in more even dyeing and antiquing. Keeping oxalic acid on hand is also recommended for removing oxidation spots that may occur during tanning or after tooling.

Since 1881, Hermann Oak has been tanning premium leather in St. Louis, Missouri. Their slow, traditional pit tanning process produces some of the world's finest vegetable-tanned tooling leather, earning Hermann Oak a reputation for exceptional quality among saddle makers, leatherworkers, and craftsmen worldwide.

Please Note: #2 Belt Bends are carefully selected to provide excellent yield but may contain additional natural characteristics such as scars, range marks, or an occasional butcher cut on the flesh side. Fat wrinkles are considered a natural part of the hide and are not graded unless they are deep enough to create a break in the leather. As with all vegetable-tanned leather, color, grain, and markings will vary from hide to hide, making every bend unique.

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