REED Leather HIDES Cow Skins 40 Square Foot Camel - Durable Craft

In this review of the REED Leather HIDES Cow Skins (40 square foot, Camel) the bottom line is simple: crafters who need a large, consistent piece of genuine cowhide will appreciate the soft but sturdy feel and the useful thickness for mixed projects. The reviewer found it particularly well suited to leather repairs, bags, book covers and small accessories because the hide combines a glove-like softness with enough substance to hold tooling and stitching without flopping. The video material that accompanies the product also makes setup and handling straightforward to follow.

Key Features

• 100% Genuine Cow Leather: The hide is made from full cowhide so it works well for durable items like cases and heavy-use accessories.
• Thickness ~0.8-1.2 mm: This roughly 2.5 oz weight provides enough body for edging, stitching and light tooling while remaining pliable.
• Large 40 sq ft Size: One large hide reduces seams for projects that need continuous leather such as book covers or larger bags.
• Camel Color: The consistent natural camel tone is easy to dye, match, or leave as a neutral base for mixed-color designs.
• Multi-Use Crafting: The hide suits a wide range of crafts from fringes and trims to repairs and accessories, making it a versatile workshop staple.
• Chrome Finished: The chrome finish gives a smooth surface that accepts tools and edge work predictably.

Who It's For

The REED cow skin hide is best for hobbyists and professional leathercrafters who need a large, consistent piece for multiple items or for pieces that span several patterns. Its softness and modest thickness suit those who plan to sew, glue and perform light tooling rather than heavy saddle work.

It may be less appropriate for projects that require very thick harness leather or for artisans who need vegetable-tanned hides for deep tooling and burnishing. Buyers who require exact, uniform measurements should note that size perceptions vary and to check cut layouts before high-precision work.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Soft, supple feel that is easy to work with for hand stitching and edge finishing.
• Consistent color and thickness across the piece for predictable results in multi-part projects.
• Durable chrome finish and 0.8-1.2 mm thickness that balance flexibility with body.
• Large coverage reduces the need for seams and joins on bigger projects.

Cons

• Size reports are mixed, so some buyers may find the usable area differs from expectations.
• Not as thick as harness or saddle leather, so not ideal for very heavy-duty structural uses.

Specifications

Material	100% genuine cow leather
Finish	Chrome finished
Thickness	Approximately 0.8 - 1.2 mm (about 2.5 oz)
Coverage	40 square foot
Color	Camel
Typical Uses	Arts, crafts, repairs, purses, cases, book covers, bookbinding

Our Verdict

The REED Leather HIDES Cow Skin is a sensible choice for crafters who want a large, soft but sturdy hide that performs well for accessories, repairs and bookwork. It represents good value where consistent color and manageable thickness matter, though those needing very heavy structural leather should look elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this hide suitable for sewing machine work?
Yes, the 0.8-1.2 mm thickness is compatible with many domestic and light industrial sewing machines when using appropriate needles and thread.

Can the camel color be dyed?
Yes, the chrome finish accepts dyes and finishing products, though results vary by dye type and preparation.

Will this leather hold tooling and stamping?
It accepts light tooling and stamping well, but for deep, traditional tooling a thicker vegetable-tanned hide is preferred.