Shifty Report post Posted January 30, 2009 Not even sure about the spelling ,but anyway is there any disadvantages to using crhom tan leather verus veg. tan for handgun holsters other than being unable to mold it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greybeard Report post Posted January 30, 2009 I think, I Read somewhere that Chrome tanned leather has Salts in it that might corrode metal. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Studio-N Report post Posted January 30, 2009 (edited) I think, I Read somewhere that Chrome tanned leather has Salts in it that might corrode metal. I am so happy you stated that. I hear that urban legend weekly. I say it is an urban legend because I have never met ANYONE in five years of selling leather who has actually seen it. They have only heard of it from a friend. When probed a little deeper their friend only heard it from another friend. Or - the other way I hear it is much like you stated it, "I THINK" I read it somewhere. Is that a yes or a no? I know people who buy all manner of chrome tanned leather for sheaths, holster liners and rifle scabbards and who never have a problem. So let's hear from everyone - have you ACTUALLY seen this happen with chrome tanned? Was it your gun or another friend story. Ok, not to completely hijack the thread, Veg tan can be molded to shape, dyed to your particular taste and is stiffer which I feel offers more protection. Chrome tan is a soft leather, so whatever you build is a bit floppy due to its softness and stretch. I have only ever used a good vegTan for all of the above. Yet on one loading stick I made (basically a flat board with bullet loops), the brass casings all were corroded by the 3-4 oz veg tanned leather. I do have pictures and will post them. Cheers! Edited January 30, 2009 by Studio-N Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 I thought it was just blue guns that would tarnish or whatever, most of the finishes on newer guns dont have this issue. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greybeard Report post Posted January 31, 2009 I am so happy you stated that. I hear that urban legend weekly. I say it is an urban legend because I have never met ANYONE in five years of selling leather who has actually seen it. They have only heard of it from a friend. When probed a little deeper their friend only heard it from another friend.Or - the other way I hear it is much like you stated it, "I THINK" I read it somewhere. Is that a yes or a no? I know people who buy all manner of chrome tanned leather for sheaths, holster liners and rifle scabbards and who never have a problem. So let's hear from everyone - have you ACTUALLY seen this happen with chrome tanned? Was it your gun or another friend story. Ok, not to completely hijack the thread, Veg tan can be molded to shape, dyed to your particular taste and is stiffer which I feel offers more protection. Chrome tan is a soft leather, so whatever you build is a bit floppy due to its softness and stretch. I have only ever used a good vegTan for all of the above. Yet on one loading stick I made (basically a flat board with bullet loops), the brass casings all were corroded by the 3-4 oz veg tanned leather. I do have pictures and will post them. Cheers! As Stated I THINK, I read that chrome tanned leather had salt in it. Not to be confused with it DOSE have... I have not seen Corrosion on any Guns or Knives due to Holsters of any type ( I Do not store Mine holstered ). By all means I am Defiantly Not a Chemist Nor a Expert in anything having to do with the Tanning Process (or Leather working for that manner), But my interest stretch far and wide . I let my fingers do the walking all over this here Internet, and I'd say that I retain about 60% of what I see and Read... Ill have to do some investigation and see what I find. I Have Avoided Using Chrome Tanned Leather for Holsters and Sheaths Based on that info I "Read" and that may have been Ignorant of me considering I didn't Know the source. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonyc1 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 Chrome Tanned leather is not necessarily soft! I use it for girth points where there is a lot of stress and strain and it handles weather very well. Tony. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Randyc Report post Posted January 31, 2009 I have never personally observed pistol finish damage because of chrome tanned leathers, then again I've never observed a chrome tanned leather holster either. I have never built a holster out of chrome tanned leather and know of no custom holster maker past or present who have used chrome tanned leather. If chrome tanned leather was suitable for holsters, somebody would have already used it. Randy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drac Report post Posted January 31, 2009 I've seen plenty of suede lined holsters from the some of the big boys (bianchi and galco), and suede is chrome tanned. *shrug* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted January 31, 2009 I've seen plenty of suede lined holsters from the some of the big boys (bianchi and galco), and suede is chrome tanned. *shrug* I dont think (could be wrong ) that bianchi lines any of there holsters with suede, never scene one. Now in my holsters from bianchi as in many Ive scene they use the flesh side for either against the body or against the gun. They state that there holsters are made from veg tanned oiled hides. Just a thought. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rhome Report post Posted January 31, 2009 Well My Ruger Vaqureo ( blued ) cylinder had several large rust spots after being in an El Paso saddlery holster suede lined after 2 days of storage in the holster. So if that counts as seeing first hand......Also I might add that the gun was oiled prior to leaving it in the holster so you can imagine my surprise when I saw the rusty cylinder. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lobo Report post Posted January 31, 2009 The chemical salts utilized in chrome tanning will DEFINITELY cause corrosion in either carbon steel or stainless steel, if left in contact for extended periods of time. Also, many of the newer handgun finishes are manganese phosphate (a type of Parkerizing) which will also be damaged by extended contact. Regarding suede (as was pointed out in an earlier reply) yes, that is made by a chrome tanning process. In addition to the potential problems there, suede has much more surface area because of the buffed, porous surface; so suede has the tendency to attract and hold more moisture. This can make a suede-lined holster a big problem in areas of high humidity. All leather attracts and holds moisture. Firearms should NEVER be stored in a leather holster or case. All firearms should be removed from the holster after use and wiped down with a lightly oiled cloth before being put away, even for overnight. Yes, I have seen these types of problems many times on blued, stainless, and coated pistols. The type of corrosion noted by an earlier poster on cartridge cases in a veg-tanned carrier is known as vertigris, a mold-like substance that forms when brass (or any copper-containing metal) is left in contact with any type of leather. It will usually wipe off, and serious vertigris deposits usually can be cleaned with club soda (although this may require touching up the leather finish). Vegetable tanned leather is the only real choice for leather holsters, period. All chrome tanned leather should be avoided when possible; linings (including suede) require treatment of the handgun on a daily basis; while valuable in protecting the gun's finish from holster wear, they create additional problems due to moisture absorption. 37 years of holster making, 24 years in law enforcement, and 40 years of carrying a handgun daily provided me with a little knowledge on these subjects. As always, my opinions are free and worth every penny of the price. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greybeard Report post Posted January 31, 2009 The chemical salts utilized in chrome tanning will DEFINITELY cause corrosion in either carbon steel or stainless steel, if left in contact for extended periods of time. Also, many of the newer handgun finishes are manganese phosphate (a type of Parkerizing) which will also be damaged by extended contact.Regarding suede (as was pointed out in an earlier reply) yes, that is made by a chrome tanning process. In addition to the potential problems there, suede has much more surface area because of the buffed, porous surface; so suede has the tendency to attract and hold more moisture. This can make a suede-lined holster a big problem in areas of high humidity. All leather attracts and holds moisture. Firearms should NEVER be stored in a leather holster or case. All firearms should be removed from the holster after use and wiped down with a lightly oiled cloth before being put away, even for overnight. Yes, I have seen these types of problems many times on blued, stainless, and coated pistols. The type of corrosion noted by an earlier poster on cartridge cases in a veg-tanned carrier is known as vertigris, a mold-like substance that forms when brass (or any copper-containing metal) is left in contact with any type of leather. It will usually wipe off, and serious vertigris deposits usually can be cleaned with club soda (although this may require touching up the leather finish). Vegetable tanned leather is the only real choice for leather holsters, period. All chrome tanned leather should be avoided when possible; linings (including suede) require treatment of the handgun on a daily basis; while valuable in protecting the gun's finish from holster wear, they create additional problems due to moisture absorption. 37 years of holster making, 24 years in law enforcement, and 40 years of carrying a handgun daily provided me with a little knowledge on these subjects. As always, my opinions are free and worth every penny of the price. Thank You Mr. Lobo, I feel vindicated. As always, Your Years of Experience are deeply appreciated and we learn from you daily... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shifty Report post Posted January 31, 2009 Thanks to everyone, out with the chrome in with the veg. I am just a 58 yr old newby. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
