In regard to the zephir skin pouches, the leather you used was not as
completely air tight as the zephir is, and the zephir is thinner and
quicker to respond.  It is a pain to use and you have to make sure that
you make the pouches deep enough for shrinkage to occur, because it
will.  Zephir has it's drawbacks, but it was good back then and it is
good today if it's good zephir skin.

I have noted that it is often difficult to get really smooth, good,
zephir these days.  Most of the stuff I see is heavy, coarse, and not
very pliable.  Good luck.

Jim Jelinek