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

In this review of the REED Leather HIDES Cow Skins (40 Square Foot, Navy) the bottom line is clear: this is a practical, workmanlike leather hide for crafters who need a soft but durable supply of genuine cowhide. The reviewer found the hides ideal for a variety of small leather projects because of their consistent thickness, glove-like softness, and chrome finish that balances suppleness with toughness. For anyone making purses, cases, book covers or repairs, this hide delivers good value and predictable performance.

Key Features

• 100% Genuine Cow Leather: The hide is made from real cowhide so projects gain an authentic leather look and long-term durability.
• Chrome Finished: The chrome finish provides a smooth surface and consistent color that is easier to dye or finish for accessories.
• 0.8 - 1.2 mm Thickness: At roughly 2.5 oz thickness the leather is thick enough for structure yet thin enough to stitch and shape for bags and book covers.
• Multi-Use Material: The hide works for a wide range of crafts including fringes, repairs, cases, and binding because it holds edges and tooling reasonably well.
• Consistent Color and Texture: Customers report uniform color and a soft, supple hand that makes cutting and sewing more predictable.

Who It's For

The REED Cow Skins are aimed at hobby leatherworkers, small-scale makers, and crafters who need a reliable, midweight leather for accessories and repair work. It suits those who prefer a chrome finished surface for easier surface treatments and for projects where softness and flexibility are important.

Those seeking very thick harness leather or full vegetable-tanned hides for heavy structural saddlery should look elsewhere, since this product is best used for garments, wallets, bags, book covers and decorative pieces rather than heavy load-bearing gear.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Consistent thickness and color make cutting and assembly straightforward for multi-piece projects.
• Soft, glove-like texture that is pleasant to handle and comfortable in finished wearables.
• Durable chrome finish provides good resistance to wear and an even surface for dyes or finishes.

Cons

• Size expectations are mixed among buyers, so individual hides may vary in usable layout and require planning to avoid waste.

Specifications

Brand	REED
Material	100% genuine cow leather (chrome finished)
Thickness	Approximately 0.8 - 1.2 mm (about 2.5 oz)
Area	Approximately 40 square foot
Color	Navy (also available in other colors)
Typical uses	Arts, crafts, accessories, repairs, bookbinding

Our Verdict

The REED Leather HIDES Cow Skins in navy represent a reliable, midweight leather for crafters who want good value and consistent material for accessories and repairs. Its soft hand, consistent color, and manageable thickness make it a smart buy for makers who prioritize ease of use and predictable results rather than heavy structural leather.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this hide suitable for making bags?
Yes, its 0.8-1.2 mm thickness and durable surface work well for bags that need flexibility and a smooth finish.

Can this leather be dyed or finished?
The chrome finish accepts many surface treatments well, though you should test any dye or finish on a scrap first.

Will the size always be exactly 40 square foot?
Customers report mixed feedback on size, so allow for some variation in layout and cutting when planning projects.