kipling79

Thank you for the response. I was going by the packaging and never thought to look at the website for further uses. I have always used permatex for auto applications and have found them to be of high quality, Yes, this holster application is simply to keep the liner secure until stitching is complete, but I am thinking of pasting a few scraps together to see how strong the bond actually is.

I ran out of Barge glue halfway through making a holster for a friend. I don't have many options for obtaining contact cement other than online so I went to my local TSC store and picked up Permatex contact cement. It appears to be similar to barge except a little thinner and smells less toxic, has anyone used Permatex before? It is a name brand, and I expect it is quality, but it doesn't specifically state that it is ok for leather.

Thank you all for the helpful advice. It sounds like gum tragacanth will be a part of the solution, and I will be using the seams on the bottom of the bag to test different techniques. Elsewhere in these forums there is a lengthy discussion about using heat to help burnish soft leather, and I am excited to see if it will produce hard edges in conjunction with all of your ideas. Between the holidays, other projects, and the size of this less critical project; It may be a while until I attempt this and post back. I hope to have good results to discuss.

I should also add that I have saddle soap and an edger, in addition to the tools listed in the original post. I hope there is a combination of techniques which can help me repair this unsightly damage.

Thank you for the quick replies. Here is an excerpt of the bag's description on Amazon: TANNING PROCESS - Saddleback only uses the best Chrome Tanned leather from reputable, environmentally friendly tanneries in Old Mexico. THE LEATHER - The leather we use is the best, most expensive, rugged, full grain cow leather. The leather will stay hard enough to protect your valuables while still becoming beautifully soft over time. Below is the photo: As you can see, the edges are flattening out and/or curling back anytime they experience any sort of pressure. This is really annoying me and I feel a little bit cheated by the company. In their own propaganda they claim that unfinished edges are better, and that anyone who finishes leather edges is simply hiding low quality leather. Unfortunately, I didn't know enough about leather when I purchased this. Edit: THe picture doesn't do the edge damage justice. The edges are often 25% wider than original due to being mushed flat or curled back.

I have researched the question of how to burnish soft leather and already know that it will be difficult (if not impossible) and may require a hot iron. My question here is in what order should the burnishing techniques be used. I have a bag from saddleback leather which I purchased before ever working with leather. Every edge is fraying on me now and I am to the point where I want to either sell it or fix it. THe leather appears to be chrome tanned, but I am not sure; what I do know is that it will not burnish by ordinary methods. I have: A hot iron (wood burner) Wooden handle for burnishing Gum Tagacanth Fieblings Edge Dye Wax Would a certain combination of these treatments be best? And, in what order would you suggest? Thanks

Thank you for the replies. I wish I had checked this thread two hours ago. In the time since my OP, I have started my first holster and made my first stitches just a couple hours ago. I never thought about flesh-out, but I still have plenty of leather for more attempts. To be safe, I did not use the potentially chrome-tanned liner, but use a 1/2 strip along the exterior of the holsters opening. Hopefully this will add a little more rigidity without chrome tan touching any metal. On a side note: I am happy so far with my first attempt at a holster/leather making, but while the glue was drying I attempted a "simple" magazine pouch; and holy cow that was a twisted disaster. The pattern making step for leatherwork is a little more complex than I gave it credit for.

Hello, After ordering my first "real" holster from Andrews Custom Leather, and being very impressed with the handwork, I have decided to try my own hand at holster making. The massive amount of knowledge on this forum gave me enough confidence to order some leather and a few hand tools. What I am making: A pocket holster for a S&W Bodyguard .380. Here is my problem: I ordered some 5/6oz veg tanned leather from Springfield, as well as a matte Black Calfskin (part 892-3505) for a liner. Upon receiving the leather, I began to worry that the calfskin is chrome tanned, even though both the boil test and burn test provided mixed results. My Questions/Options: ( a ) Can a Chrome liner be sealed or treated to prevent damage to metal? ( b ) If I dropped the calfskin and left the 5/6oz veg tanned leather unlined, would it be too thin for the purposes of a pocket holster (with emphasis on keeping leather from pushing into trigger guard)? Thanks for any input.