Buffalo Pros and Cons

[Superfluous]

How does Buffalo hide compare to other hides (e.g., horse, cow, etc). I am particularly interested in rigidity/stiffness/pliability?

Separately, from a historical perspective, how and when was Buffalo hide used over the years?

 

[Seb Lucas]

Like any hide its qualities will depend on how it was treated. I've had two buffalo hide jackets in 3oz leather, they were like firm cowhide.

 

[gtdean48]

I have buffalo hide boots. They are stouter than other hides I have. Tougher to break in than any other boots I've owned.

 

[armscye]

Are we talking Bison or Water Buffalo here? I know nothing of Bison, but my experience with water buffalo is as follows:

1. Very common in Pakistani and Indian scooter jackets, where it provides a combination of low cost and toughness. There are dozens of $150 buffalo jackets on eBay. One brand I know of is Xelement

2. Very often dyed black to cover color variations. Brown jackets seem antiqued, since the color is mottled.

3. The leather is finely wrinkle-grained (not pebbles like goat), and a bit rubbery feeling.

4. It is alleged to be as tough as equivalent weight horsehide, and just behind kangaroo in abrasion resistance. I have found that stitching on a button is well nigh impossible-- the needle won't penetrate through the rubbery, "sticky" interior of the leather.

5. Whether because of the construction or the hide, my water buffalo jackets don't break in much. They seem permanently somewhat stiff. Lexol doesn't seem to help-- yes, it is somewhat absorbed, but it doesn't produce the softening effect normally seen with cowhide. In that regard, water buffalo seems similar to goat.

6. Water buffalo washes in cold water without shrinkage, though it seems to get more matte.

7. Water buffalo is seen in Europe as a preferred hide for motorcycle wear.

 

[schitzo]

What did the buffalo say when his son left for college? Bison

 

[Grayland]

What did the buffalo say when his son left for college? Bison

:drum:

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Here's my Aero A2 in Water Buffalo hide. It isn't stiff...but has a very nice crisp finish similar to some well aged grainy polished appearing HH...

 

[nick123]

What did the buffalo say when his son left for college? Bison

I've gone through great plains to raise you....on your own now buddy.

 

[ykurtz]

The Bison I've seen used for jacketings have been very soft/pliant albeit quite thick (4 oz.) Very bendy leather and abrasion resistant. It wears hotter (to me) than any other hide I've tried; I imagine it would be apropos for Fall/Winter and not so much for Spring/Summer. I believe you can also shave down the Bison to 2.5-3 oz, but I think you might as well go with cowhide at that point.

 

[Sloan1874]

I have a buffalo A-2 from the 80s, and it's still in fantastic condition and has an amazing patina/grain.

 

[Plumbline]

I have both Bison and Buffalo ...... the Bison is Horween in black is thick yes less stiff than FQHH and has a really pronounced grain which I like a lot and which is wearing in very nicely ... it's stunning leather.





The Buffalo is my Aero Californian and it's an amazing hide which has softened up really nicely and developed an amazing grain ( it's 12 years old
and has travelled over 1 million air miles with me)





I'd happily buy either again ...... thick, durable and with real character from the get go.

 

[Superfluous]

Plumbline, how was the Buffalo in terms of rigidity/stiffness/pliability when you first received it?

 

[Plumbline]

It was a bit stiff ... but not as unweildy as FQHH or Horween CXL Steer ..... the Bison was slightly stiffer ..... is softened up to folding in a heap when laid down after about 2 months of regular wear ..... now it's floppy as a woolen coat but still mighty thick.

 

[Seb Lucas]

As I said, I think the key is how it is treated in the tanning process. I've seen very stiff unyielding buffalo along with much softer buffalo. It generally has nice looking grain. I'd get a sample of it to look at before deciding as I think it will be helpful to see the specific hide before making a commitment.