Where to get thinner cordovan for cavalier tab ?

[J from Denmark]

My old cavalier tab has 3 thin layers. 1 thin cordovan facing, 1 thin rubber middlepiece and 1 thin leather backing

The new ones have 2 thicker layers. 1 thicker cordovan face and 1 thicker leather backing

Does anybody know of a place to get the thinner layers still.
Or maybe something of similar properties that I can just cut and fit myself ?
Thanks
Jacob

[Roughcountry]

J  I'm betting that the couple of tannery's that still produce cordovan worldwide make it strickly for the shoe trade. That will mean one thickness is produced.
You need a leather tool called a splitter. I've split cordovan and you have to be real carefull or it will cut thru the surface grain. The blade in the splitter must be scary sharp and you need to take a very small amount in a pass thru it.

[Hawkeye]

Robin,

Would something like a belt sander work to do this, too?

[J from Denmark]

Hmm, dont have a splitter..

I just came to think about that my old tab is actually a cartel tab. Does anyone know if the cartel tabs are still made with the thinner layers ?

[Roughcountry]

Hawkeye, yes a beltsander would work if you could find away to hold the leather on a flat surface. You might be able to use barge cement and then rub it off the surface grain, it may not hold on that slick surface though.

J, check around someone in the shoe repair industry. Most leather shops have a couple different splitters. Don't let anyone try to split your cordovan in a twist handle osborne splitter, won't work. You need the flat table kind with the ajustment wheels on top.

You can do it with a round knife and sciver but it takes a very trained and steady hand.

[Bradd]

Tandy Leather used to have horse butt hide (fancy name for Cordovan...lol) in different thicknesses.

[mike g]

Why don't you just buy a Cordovan tab from Alaska bowhunting supply there like $10 ea and last a life time....