Thinking Of Trying A Double Layered Pancake

[markush]

I've been thinking of doing some double layer (flesh to flesh) pancakes using some 4-5 oz Tandy Craftsman Oak shoulders. Is there a reason NOT to do a pancake like this?

I've been using Hermann Oak for the stuff I've done so far but the Tandy Craftsman Oak shoulders are on sale right now for 3.50 a SQFT...am I going to regret going down to the Tandy Craftsman stuff?

Edited February 18, 2012 by markush

[Denster]

Yes you are going to regret it. Going from Hermann Oak to Tandy bargain leather you will not be happy with the results.

[Shooter McGavin]

I use Hermann Oak, but have done the same thing for lined holsters.

[joshk]

  On 2/18/2012 at 3:21 AM, Shooter McGavin said:

I use Hermann Oak, but have done the same thing for lined holsters.

me too to both....

[katsass]

  On 2/18/2012 at 1:20 AM, markush said:

I've been thinking of doing some double layer (flesh to flesh) pancakes using some 4-5 oz Tandy Craftsman Oak shoulders. Is there a reason NOT to do a pancake like this?

I've been using Hermann Oak for the stuff I've done so far but the Tandy Craftsman Oak shoulders are on sale right now for 3.50 a SQFT...am I going to regret going down to the Tandy Craftsman stuff?

FWIW from the old grumpy guy; I make almost all of my holsters from two layers of shoulder leather. I don't use ANY leather from Tandy anymore. I purchase almost all of my leather from Springfield Leather. Tandy was pretty good back 35 - 40 years ago, but have degraded in the more recent years IMO. You will need to stitch ALL edges however. I think that you will notice that the two layer method results is a much more firm holster than one from an equal weight single thickness of similar leather after wet molding and drying. I prefer to use the two layer method of construction. Mike

P.S. Use a good quality of contact cement , roll the two layers down flat with something (even Ma's rolling pin) after placing the two pieces together, and let it sit over night before you start to work with it. This allows for complete adhesion.

Edited February 18, 2012 by katsass

[markush]

Thanks guys, I was hoping that doubling up the cheap stuff wouldn't be so bad. I've been working with a couple of HO shoulders that I got Springfield to cut me. One their "Craftsman" grade and one of their "B" grade, both in 8-9oz.The quality difference between the two was such that I probably wouldn't use the Craftsman grade for holsters again. And with the B grade costing me $8.00 a SqFt I can't bring myself to get it in 4-5oz and then double it up. I'd have close to $20.00 in leather in each holster. If I could sell my stuff for premium prices OK, but that's not happening.

[Colt Hammerless]

If you can split, skive, or sand the leather down to 4/5 oz, you can get No. 1 grade 6/7 oz veg-tan double shoulders from American Leather Direct for $4.50 a sq. ft. They have No. 2 also, but it's only 5 cents less per square. http://aleatherd.com/ They don't have their prices on the website, but I just got their price sheet at the leather show in Wickenburg last week. They have no minimum order, and I've heard they're pretty fair on shipping. They're the U.S. importer for Chahin leather. I have some sample swatches of their skirting and latigo leather, and it's nice.

Another option is Double K leather, who import Sadesa leather: They have A grade 6/7 double shoulders for $4.16 a square, and B grade for $3.65. The website says they just opened a new wharehouse to serve smaller orders from leather crafters and such http://doublekleather.com/

I would think both of these options would be quite a step up from that Craftsman Oak from Tandy, for close to the same price.

Colt Hammerless

[Colt Hammerless]

Oh, another thing. On Double K's website they show bellies in different weights starting at $1.61 a foot. Might be nice for practice, and making patterns. Don't know if ALD has bellies or not.

[UberSquid]

Is I know this thread is kinda old but I have thought about doing this very same thing. Where I live the only resource I have access to is a Tandy Leather an hour away. I have some scrap that I've made a couple holsters with. Unfortunately a lot of what I have is chrome tanned so is useless.

My question is are bellies usable for holsters? I like the idea of gluing two thinner pieces flesh side together to get a lined holster especially is cheaper belly leather is usable!

ThanksJeremiah

[Shooter McGavin]

  On 4/16/2012 at 1:11 AM, UberSquid said:

Is I know this thread is kinda old but I have thought about doing this very same thing. Where I live the only resource I have access to is a Tandy Leather an hour away. I have some scrap that I've made a couple holsters with. Unfortunately a lot of what I have is chrome tanned so is useless.

My question is are bellies usable for holsters? I like the idea of gluing two thinner pieces flesh side together to get a lined holster especially is cheaper belly leather is usable!

ThanksJeremiah

Welcome to the forum!

Personally I would not use belly leather for a holster.