What Is Your Favorite Holster/belt Leather?

[ShortBBL]

Like the title says... what is YOUR favorite leather for holster making? What size/weight do you use and where do you like to buy from?

I've used W&C Pre-Dyed leathes, skirting mostly with a little English Bridle tossed in for good measure. I am thinking of going with undyed leather, skirting I think, and probably Shoulders, as that sounds like the firmest.

So what do you prefer to use?

[troop]

i use W/C drum dyed single backs.....(the side without the belly) i get them "holstered" (pressed). i used to dye them myself but getting them dyed saves time and makes consistent color throughout my projects.

Tony

[Dwight]

I use double shoulders exclusively, . . . except when I get a request for a Western Gun Belt that has to be upwards of 56 inches long, . . . then we head for a side of beef leather.

May God bless,

Dwight

[ShortBBL]

i use W/C drum dyed single backs.....(the side without the belly) i get them "holstered" (pressed). i used to dye them myself but getting them dyed saves time and makes consistent color throughout my projects.

Tony

Tony:

Are you using their Skirting Leather or which stuff? And what weight do you use? What style holsters do you make mostly, concealed carry type or Cowboy style?

Thanks!

Jon

[ShortBBL]

I use double shoulders exclusively, . . . except when I get a request for a Western Gun Belt that has to be upwards of 56 inches long, . . . then we head for a side of beef leather.

May God bless,

Dwight

What kind of leather is it Dwight? Where do you buy also?

Thanks!

Jon

[Lobo]

I use mostly sides, but also purchase double shoulders. The sides will vary considerably from the back and shoulder areas to the belly fringe. All of it is useful for certain applications, and I end up with very little scrap or waste. Double sides are typically much more consistent in gauging and are the best choice for cutting belt blanks, in my opinion.

I have used both W&C and Hermann Oak leathers, and both are excellent products. My personal preference (and that is all it really is) is toward Hermann Oak. HO has a higher minimum purchase requirement, while W&C will sell single units (sides, shoulders, etc), probably making W&C a good resource for the hobbyist or small production shop. Both companies have long histories and excellent reputations.

Much of the leather available in the US comes from foreign sources, and imported tanned leathers will vary widely in quality and consistency. For this reason I avoid the imported stuff and stick with the known consistent qualities of HO or W&C. Like most things in life, with leather you will probably get what you pay for.

[Dwight]

What kind of leather is it Dwight? Where do you buy also?

Thanks!

Jon

It's all vegetable tanned, . . . depending on what is going on, . . . I either go and hand select the better grade stuff from Tandy, . . . or Weaver's. I'm fortunate enough to be an hour's drive from either, . . . and have occasion to be in their areas often.

I have also used ST leather in St. Louis, . . . and have never been disappointed in their leather.

May God bless,

Dwight

[troop]

Tony:

Are you using their Skirting Leather or which stuff? And what weight do you use? What style holsters do you make mostly, concealed carry type or Cowboy style?

Thanks!

Jon

on their web site it is listed as holster skirting.....i make concealed carry holsters but am starting to dabble in western holsters.

Tony

[katsass]

Like the title says... what is YOUR favorite leather for holster making? What size/weight do you use and where do you like to buy from?

I've used W&C Pre-Dyed leathes, skirting mostly with a little English Bridle tossed in for good measure. I am thinking of going with undyed leather, skirting I think, and probably Shoulders, as that sounds like the firmest.

So what do you prefer to use?

I use only shoulders or double shoulders for most holsters. I do use back leather for historically accurate western rigs though. As to the weight, I use mostly 4/5 oz for contemporary holsters.......two layers bonded flesh side to flesh side. I feel that this gives a more firm finished product than a single thickness of heavier leather, and also finishes as a lined holster. For some larger handguns I will use a layer of 4/5 inside with piece of 6/7 as the outer shell. This style takes more stitching than most people doing numerically larger orders wish to become involved with however. For historically accurate holsters I use a single 9/10 oz chunk of back. I like to personally select my leather, and the only place within a day's driving distance of me is Tandy, however I have had good luck with phone orders from Springfield Leather. Mike

[Big O]

I've just been using double shoulders, and horse butts.