Exotic Inlays?

[K-Man]

Guy W: Check your pm's.

[SooperJake]

OK Guy, in response to you initial question and this response. I make all of my inlaid holsters from two layers of 5/6 oz veg tanned. Actually, that's the way I do almost all of my holsters ... inlaid or not. It (IMO) gives me a lined holster, and also a much more firm and rigid finished piece because of the two layers of grain, which is where the rigidity is created after molding and proper drying. When making your pattern, draw the inlay 'window' on the actual cutting pattern ...don't try to make a separate one and align it with the actual body of the cut out holster .It never will align properly. Realize that you will need to stitch the entire perimeter of the holster to finish it. Cut your 'window' and bevel, then burnish the interior edge. Dye the whole top piece prior to assembly. (You'll not get a decent dye job if you try it after putting it together) Smooth leather like snake, lizard, ostrich shin work well for inlay. Hornback 'gator, and stingray must be sanded down around the perimeter of the inlay piece prior to assembly to get a smooth edge to stitch down. Dry fit the two layers and mark the 'window' on the flesh side of the interior piece. Glue the inlay piece in place and glue the the outer shell to the inner and stitch around your inlay. Finish off as you would normally. Hope this helps a bit, it may not be as others do ... but it works for me. Here's one of mine Mike

Mike, what is the perimeter dye color on this rig, if you please?

[IngleGunLeather]

Guy, Once you cut out the "window" for the inlay...trim about 1/8th inch off of the perimeter of that cut out piece and glue it under (samdwich it) the "exotic" piece. That way it will ......for lack of a better word...."puff up" the exotic" and make it even with the top piece of leather and not below the surface of it. Semper-fi Mike

I have nothing to add here, just wanted to say Happy Belated Birthday Marine. Semper Fi.

[mmirob]

Here is a different slant on inlay overlay. This is a simple star pattern both done in shark. Skived, stitched, then glued to veg tan.

Makes for an interesting functional art. The art of inlay overlay is limitless. Some have made it their profession. See Randy and Claudia for some out of this world talent. In the mean time enjoy my meagar little star!

Edited November 24, 2012 by mmirob