Thread: Shell Horse Hide

Just wondering if anyone has a supplier of Shell Cordovon Horse Hide. I know Horween in Chicago produces it but I don't know if they do retail sales.
Check out the Horween web site. Pretty interesting.

Slawman

Contact Horween and see if they may sell direct. Contact information is on their website.

Also, Home » Maverick Leather Company carries Horween and several other leathers.

Horween has a retail branch- Tannery Row

The last time I ordered from them, they took 6-8 weeks to ship. Let them know the size pieces you are looking to get. Shells are typically only 1-2 square feet, so if you want a 3x18 inch piece, they have to pick it by hand.

Thanks all. Chicago is only a little over 100 miles from me so Barb & I may have to make a road trip & visit Tannery Row.

Dave Huffman

What's the thickness of the shell? because modern shell usually comes from a much younger animal that's why it's rarely much thicker than 2.5mm.

Originally Posted by celticcrusader

What's the thickness of the shell? because modern shell usually comes from a much younger animal that's why it's rarely much thicker than 2.5mm.

Interesting question. Got curious and miked my Neil Miller shell strop at 2.11 mm and then a vintage stop I believe is shell and it miked about the same. I wonder if there is a difference in the shell from a pleasure horse compared to shell from a draft horse?

Bob

Pleasure horse? What's that? is that like a comfort or pleasure woman?

Draft horses are usually larger and much heavier than those used for rides and such.

You know the world's heaviest horse was Brooklyn Supreme back in the 30s.


Belgian draft horse Brooklyn Supreme of the 1930s stood
19.2 hands high, weighed 3,200 pounds, measured 10' 2" around,
took a 40" collar, and required 30" of iron to make one shoe.
(courtesy of Jim Richendollar, Draft Horse Archives)

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Pleasure horse? What's that? is that like a comfort or pleasure woman?

Since you asked and for your edification https://www.bing.com/images/search?q...orse&FORM=IGRE .

Bob

I recently talked with a UK shell producer he told me that the thicker shell came from very old working horses mostly draught breeds, he thinks that Kanayama strops which can be 4mm and 5mm thick are produced from much older animals, all the hides that he uses and most other tanneries are from much younger animals, which makes sense you would want to or even be able to produce a fine pair of bespoke shoes or boots from a Kanayama shell being 4 and 5mm thick, and that's basically what the shell market is producing shell for the finest shoes and bags.

Interesting thread...I've noticed that my own hide has gotten thicker as I've aged. I wonder if horses heads get thicker as well?