Best leather for tapaderos

My dad is getting into leathermaking, and he's planning to make tapaderos over the winter. My mom is thinking of buying him leather to make the taps for Christmas, but we don't know what to look for. Any suggestions?

Also, if anyone has any other suggestions for useful leathermaking tools, supplies, etc... that would be helpful. He's probably also going to make reins and that kind of thing.

Thanks!