We supply both kangaroo skins and lace. The skins we sell, and the skins we use for our lace, are all the best quality vegetable tanned kangaroo. The strength of this leather is about four times that of the equivalent cowhide. The information provided below is intended as a basic guide for cutting kangaroo skins for braided work.

Kangaroo leather is one of the strongest leathers available. As with most natural materials, kangaroo hides vary, both from hide to hide, and within the hide itself. A basic understanding of the hide and how best to utilize it, will greatly enhance the quality of the final products.

Step 1. Remove flanks at back legs and front legs. Remove front legs.

The removed flanks and front legs are not strong enough, nor uniform enough for quality work. These scraps are basically waste, but can be used wherever small pieces of solid leather are needed.

Step 2. Trim the edge from the back leg around the skin, over the neck to the other back leg to eliminate sharp corners.

Step 3. Cut strands for less demanding four plait work. The first strand cut should be stretched to determine if enough flank has been removed. The strands should be started at a back leg, cut to the appropriate length. Sufficient strands are cut to clean off the back legs, and use up the more stretchy part of the neck.

Suitable uses for these strands include edge lacing, knots, and coarse bolo ties or lanyards.

Step 4. Trim the edge at the tail end, round off the back legs and cut lace around the skin. Cut wide lace first, then narrow lace if there is a choice. Remove any scars, cuts, or other flaws in the skin before reaching them, testing the strength with a small cutting of lace if it looks weak.

This is the prime section of the skin, giving firm, strong lace.

Yield of Lace from a Kangaroo Skin
The amount of lace, and the quality of the lace, cut from any skin will vary with the size and characteristics of the skin, and the skill of the cutter. As a general rule of thumb, for each 15 square decimeters of skin anticipate 50 feet of prime 1/8 inch continuous lace, 30 feet of good quality 1/8 inch continuous lace, and 20 feet of good 1/8 inch lace cut in shorter lengths during the initial trimming/shaping of the skin. We offer the following skins:

Light Skins (under about 0.8 mm thick, 45-80 dm²) -- Natural, drum stuffed; Black, drum stuffed

Medium Skins (about 0.8 mm thick, 55 - 85 dm²) -- Natural, drum stuffed; Black, drum stuffed

Heavy Skins (about 1.0 mm thick, 55 - 85 dm²) -- Natural, drum stuffed; Black, drum stuffed

Kangaroo Lace
We also offer both hand cut and machine cut kangaroo lace, for those of you who do not wish to cut your own:

Hand Cut Lace
Our premium quality kangaroo lace is hand cut from well trimmed drum stuffed skins, square cut so it may be pared to suit the work in hand. Cutting lace by hand avoids most flaws and permits more continuous cutting. The lace is in 60 foot balls, usually continuous but may have one or more joins. Kangaroo hand cut lace prices are less 10% in lots of five or more balls (assorted). Quantity discounts will be given at the time of shipment.

List Hand Cut Lace

Machine Cut Lace
This lace is machine cut in Australia, and is a superior quality. This lace is a less greasy craft lace, not drum stuffed. As such, it will take die readily, but should be heavily greased with Pecard Leather Dressing before braiding. The machine cut lace is cut in circles and is spliced where flawed. It is square cut and has about two to three joins per 50 meters, up to six joins per 100 meters. We advise stretching this lace before using it in order to evaluate uniformity. Colors are Natural or Black. Kangaroo machine cut lace prices are less 10% in lots of three or more rolls (assorted). Quantity discounts will be given at the time of shipment.

3 mm Machine Cut Lace, 100 meter roll
6 mm Machine Cut Lace, 50 meter roll

For more information ...
Please follow the links below for more information concerning our kangaroo hides and braiding supplies.

Braiding Supplies
Kangaroo Hides
Cutting Kangaroo Hides for Solid Work
Comparative Characteristics of Kangaroo Leather