Two thoughts come to mind re: this discussion:
1) Some years ago now in a thread of similar nature someone posted about using ladies goat skin gloves for their pliability & second hand stores being a good source. Nice solution w/the hand bag!
2) Regular old time 'contact cement' will do nicely to affix leather to many surfaces, inclusive of the side or butt end of a rubber recoil pad. Will it last forever? No, or I should say probably not, but it is easily reaffixed should it ever become necessary. And it is removable, when wished.
BTW, lovely work depicted earlier.
