Stetson912

Nice! How did you dye and finish?

Oooo pretty! I'm making one now for my 1911. But it's iwb and won't look this nice haha.

Nothing wrong with that. Let's you test out a pattern and construction method before you commit to the "good stuff" haha

Nah I think that weight is about right. Is it veg tan or bridle or something else?

Nicely done. Simple design too. Looks like it'll get the job done. Is that about 4 oz?

http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~marc-carlson/leather/hl.html maybe start here?

Lol, some dyes do that. And if it was wet moulded it could do that too. And like sanch said, it would really hardened up dipped in hot/boiling water/wax. Cuir bouilli is a term meaning boiled leather, it was a process used for making armor harder. I think that would really make them effective lol.

Are they hardened at all?

Thanks @RockyAussie, he seems to enjoy it. Really everything went together pretty well. The belt he's been using the past who knows how long has been in very bad shape for a while. It's cracking and the once round holes are now oval and huge haha. He's missing a snap and all sorts of stuff. So this one will definitely be a step up. Not to mention it's more than double the thickness which is good as he carries a sidearm and everything else he owns on his belt all the time haha.

Thanks wedgetail. This one fits at least haha.

Thanks Dwight. I admire your work on here and your insight. He was on the decommissioning team for the USS Dolphin (AGSS-555) in 2007. It has the deepest dive record for a diesel submarine. Thought that was a neat fact. Thanks again for your service

Howdy everybody. I've been working on this belt for ages. This is my second go, because the first one didn't work out. But this one is better. Still not perfect but functional. A stout laminated belt (two 7/8oz pieces) with snaps to secure the buckle. I used a 1/2" spade bit to recess the female snap on the back because the leather was too thick to set the snaps haha. It's for my father in law who is retired Navy. He was a machinist mate on submarines. So I thought it would be cool to make him a nice belt with the hull numbers of the subs he was on. A very late Father's day gift. The letters are tooled inverted and dyed black. Edges are dyed black as well. The rest of the belt was sun tanned for 3 hours in the Arizona sun. The buckle is the best part. It's a limited edition full brass buckle with the submariner dolphins on it. My stitching on the back doesn't look good and I need more practice with the awl haha. But anyways... Critiques are welcome. And thanks for looking. PS, thanks to all retired military, active duty, and those who payed the ultimate price for our country, for your service. I respect you all.

Just a pricking iron? Or do you mean stitching chisel? To punch all the way through? I marked the front of my belt with a pricking iron. But that's just to mark the holes, then I actually make the hole with the awl. I think I'm just not practiced with an awl haha

Yup, what colonel said. It also works well with antique.

I think it's broken... How are you gonna dust your knuckles if there's no btissle brush on it? Just kidding, that's an awesome idea. I never would have thought of that.

I sure would! I wouldn't mind a bag or two myself haha! If you ever have some you're welcome to send me a pm. I'd gladly pay shipping on a bag or two. Just that would last me a long time.

I believe Springfield leather sells remnant packs or cutoffs of sheep's wool that you can make your own pads with.

How/what did you(use) to stitch it? Looks a lot better on the back than the one I'm doing. But I'm using an awl which is fairly new to me.

Very cool

Here's a thread and I think there's another one too in the same place, both pinned to the holster and sheath section. It's a very good tutorial and lots of good info. But, it shows how to size the holster using the leather you'll be using for the holster.

That's a good point, it might work if the holes are big enough. Instinctive said he wanted to keep the hole small though. I wonder how much the permalock needle would stretch the hole? My other thought would be some strong monofilament with a loop. Kinda like cobblers used to use for needle-less sewing of insoles. Would have to be strong enough to pass easily through the hole but flexible to bring the micro cord through too.

Here's a thought I just had. Take two regular needles size 2/0 maybe? I assume they would be larger because micro cord is big cord considering... Attach to it some regular thread like you normally would and tie a knot or secured loop in the end of the thread. Then run the needle up through the end of the micro cord or use a loop to pull it through the holes. If you use synthetic thread too, you may be able to join it to the micro cord.

The shoulder is a good piece as is along the back. Ive heard too that horse hide is even better for holsters, though I've never tried it. There's also what's called "gun leather" but again I'm unsure of the differences between that and regular veg tan. I thought maverick leather co had both of these. You could ask them what the best is. If you want to keep getting shoulders, I've dealt with Roger at rjf leather (he has a banner ad on here) and he sells very nice double shoulders from thoroughbred leather. Just a suggestion. I hope you find your answer

You're welcome. Keep learning! If you poke around deep in the archives here you'll find lots of neat stuff.