Belts, heavy harness leather vs 2 layer

[dbusarow]

I just got a side of HO 12+ oz old world harness leather. It's mostly 14/15 oz with some spots over 16 oz.

I got it for reins and other tack strap goods. But while I was looking at it I thought it would make a great gun belt. It's flat beautiful just the way it comes and should be heavy enough to hold up any gun I'll be pacing daily.

So my question is, is this a good idea? I have to wonder if there's a downside to just using a single strap of heavy leather vs two layers of 8 oz veg tan?

Just looking for your opinions. I already made a belt for myself and it is really comfortable but if this was such a good idea I don't think I'd see so many 2 layer belts.

Thanks,

Dan

[budd4766]

Personally, I don't like 2-sided belts. I wear a western type buckle, and they always seem to destroy anything but one-piece belts. If the leather isn't too heavy on you, I think it would be fine. I bet it'd make a great kilt belt for those of us who wear kilts....just a thought.

[Bree]

I just got a side of HO 12+ oz old world harness leather. It's mostly 14/15 oz with some spots over 16 oz.

I got it for reins and other tack strap goods. But while I was looking at it I thought it would make a great gun belt. It's flat beautiful just the way it comes and should be heavy enough to hold up any gun I'll be pacing daily.

So my question is, is this a good idea? I have to wonder if there's a downside to just using a single strap of heavy leather vs two layers of 8 oz veg tan?

Just looking for your opinions. I already made a belt for myself and it is really comfortable but if this was such a good idea I don't think I'd see so many 2 layer belts.

Thanks,

Dan

I am making a support belt 6" wide tapering to 4" wide for a friend. I used a saddle skirt side very similar to the one that you describe. It is a pain in the butt because of the variations in thickness and texture. I decided to bond some soft 3 oz. suede to the back and stuff the 6" section with poly fill.

My original intent was to use 7 or 8 oz. veg tan and do a double layer back to back. I really wish that I had done it that way because I like the double layer belts a lot with two layers of the same thickness. I usually split 8-9 oz. blanks to a uniform 7 oz. which gives me 14 oz. total for the belt. It is hard to find sides with 14 oz. leather across an entire blank made from the side. So I vote two layers of uniform thickness.

[ETW Grumpy]

I made a belt out of Latigo strap and pigskin that was not quite as thick as what your describing, and it was fine for carrying my .45 daily. I think it will be ok depending on what kind of rig your totin'

[Shorts]

The benefit of a double layer is you have 2 skins for strength. That combined with stitching makes for a sturdy belt. I haven't had the opportunity to work with the weight of leather you're considering so I can't compare the two directly.

Might give the double layer a try if you get a chance just so you can test them out side by side.

[dbusarow]

I've got some Hermann Oak 6/7 and I'm going to try a 2 layer belt made from that. I ordered from Weaver and asked for moss back, which they don't carry, but it appears that they split it down to 6oz for me. The flesh side is very smooth and the thickness seems very consistent. Not looking forward to 6 feet of hand stitching though

Dan

[esantoro]

A side question.

I've started ordering 5.5/6 oz and 11/12 oz bridle from WC. The thicker side is for bag straps and belts. The thinner side is for briefcase parts. I was thinking of using the 8/10 oz sides for belts and straps instead of the 11/12oz. Would anyone suggest not going down to 8/10 for single layer belts and straps? For bag straps the 8/10 is fine, but I'm not sure about the belts.

Thanks,

Ed