SteelcityK9Cop

For years I have been reading the big "bull hide" pitch from various gun belt makers pitching their wares. I have also read many well respected leather workers debate the bull hide pitch as just pure "bull". So today the latest issue of ShopTalk comes and has a great article on hides (The Hide Divide). The article goes on to describe bull hide as the only hide sold on an unfleshed basis because they are too big to fit in most fleshing machines. They are also described as the cheapest priced hides because of their age. Sooo.. when I read these product descriptions claiming that a product is superior because it is made from bull hide, how can this be? From everything I am reading, many other types of less "mature" leather would make much better choices for belts and holsters because they tend to be more dense, have better natural fats, can be split, and will have less hide damage. So what's everyone's opinion on this....many of you have decades of experience picking, choosing, tooling, and sewing leather for a host of projects.

I've been carrying for 19 years and i HATE lined holsters. One... after a while the suede always starts to "de glue" and roll around the mouth of the holster which I then have to cut away. Two.... the suede always gets filthy with crud. I never ask for it.. my favorite expensive big name holsters are all single layer unlined leather.

Take a ride out to Wallmart... they usually have some CLP Breakfree in the Gun / Hunting section. Soak your rusty tools in it overnight and then hit it lightly with some steel wool. The Breakfree is a gun quality rust preventative and works very well as a rust remover.

Sixer... if you could throw a copy my way.. would love to make one for myself.

The Amish make me laugh... take a look at the Weaver corporate video on Youtube sometime. The Amish have no issue whatsoever working with power-tools all day long as long as it's for a paycheck.

Absolutely beautiful!!! Take more pictures...lots more for your "portfolio" of work. BRAVO!!!!!

The bracelet looks superb.... next time get a good looking non hairy hand to model it! Seriously... another example of true artistry on the forum!

A day at work....

到論壇歡迎您！ Ooops... looks like the forums can't do Chinese writing. Welcome to the forums!!!

Don't know what route you took but squareup.com/ is a great way to take cards.

Real Nice Al!

Thanks for posting that video... It's a treat to see that there are still American boot makers.... using old American made equipment. I think the thing I liked most about that video was that there is a cute little old man who still loves taking care of all his vintage machines every day.

Eagle... I have spent the past month doing a ton of research and bugging the heck out of a few members on the forums about the same thing... and I am sure some with chime in and fix anything I get wrong here... There are two "big issues" 1) The leather thickness 2) The needle and thread size. Only a few types of machines can handle both. One option are the hand crank machines like the Tippman Boss and the Luberto's Classic Cub. ($1400+) From there you have the _______ Clone likes of the Cowboy 2500. There are a bunch of these from different manufacturers all around $1000. The only issue is that these have a sharp bottom feed dog with will leave track marks on the leather that you are able (hopefully) to smooth out. From there you have the Jeuki 441 clones like the Cowboy 3500 / Cobra Class 3 with their different arm lengths. The smallest is the 9" which runs about $2,000 These are triple fed, walking foot machines which most will agree are the best got holster making. From there you have the big buck models that will run you $6,000 and up. I hope I got all that right... no offense taken if anyone corrects what I wrote... I'm just learning myself about all of these machines.

That's the one!!! Thanks!!! Do any of you have any experience with this machine?

I'm hoping that someone can answer this one for me... A few months ago I saw a post on the forums about a hand crank sewing machine for thick leather.... similar to the Boss. On their website, the machine was either orange or red and had a BIG flywheel on the side. The guys in the pictures were all wearing cowboy hats and western wear. It looked as if this machine could be upgraded to add a motor and some other stuff at a later time if the owner wanted. I swore I bookmarked the page....but it's gone now. Anyone have an idea who's machine this is?? Thanks! -Matt-

Unfortunately it is.... my favorite one knocked me back $2,300

I was bitten by the gun bug a number of years ago... I would have to say that my love revolves around 1911's and Evil Black Rifles.

WOW!!! Those are some great looking bags!!

I dropped $4- on Quicken after reading a ton of reviews of business finance tracking programs.. Has worked great for me! If things take off you can always upgrade and transfer the data easily into Quickbooks. Check your state government website... there is a ton of (often confusing) info on there about starting and running a small business.

Very nice! I like the hex head retention screws.

Looks great!! If you can turn out custom radio straps and put an add in Firehouse Magazine you get orders up the waz!

Lol... sure if you want to poke someones eye out when you take your belt off....boing!

As someone who has been carrying for 18 years... I always look for at least the 15 degree cant. The cant actually makes the draw easier...as well as making it more comfortable to wear. Be it my Glock 27 or my 1911 It rides the best with some cant to it.

Billy... With the 1911 holster, did you dye and stitch it before you molded it? I love the natural stitching on the mahogany look.

Dwight.. Thank you for the quick reply. Just goes to prove what a great bunch we have here... everyone helping one another!