Artificial Sinew For Holsters

[elt2jvadam]

I've read through many threads in these forums, and the consensus seems to be that artificial sinew is not well liked for holster work.

Is this an aesthetic opinion or is there a durability issue? I have been using and really like the sinew for the overbuilt look. (Opinions vary, YMMV) It works well with punched holes and backstitches well. So far I have had no compatibility problems with the beeswax/neatsfoot oil/paraffin mixture I use as a finish. It appears to be very strong, but none of my work has been afield for more than a few months.

Please advise, as I have sold a few holsters and have a half dozen to make over the next two weeks.

For clarification, I stitch by hand with blunt needles through size 0 punched holes in 6/8 oz veg tanned cowhide. What is left of the holes after wetting and boning the holster (they close up a bit) generally fills up with the wax finish. I backstitch three stitches and have not had any loosen up. Stitch spacing is 3/16", so not quite 6 stitches per inch.

[KAYAK45]

Well..part of it is an artist thing.

Why not just sew the top piece of leather and then glue it to a back? Just not quite right. Why not use a plastic backing? Will keep forever. Longer than the owner.

We make LEATHER PRODUCTS in part for heritage, in part for art, and in part because they have served human kind for say...~~5000 years?

Use what you think best for your business and customers. Just ..Please...don't call them "Leather Products". OK?

Kevin

[electrathon]

My understanding is the same. It is ARTIFICIAL sinew. If you want to use it, get some afrificial leather and go to town.

Aaron

[Sixer]

My understanding is the same. It is ARTIFICIAL sinew. If you want to use it, get some afrificial leather and go to town.

Aaron

Does that mean I need to recall all of my holsters and leather goods because I use Bonded Nylon thread??

Just curious

[electrathon]

Does that mean I need to recall all of my holsters and leather goods because I use Bonded Nylon thread??

Just curious

Well, maybe... If you sold them as natural materials you may have some explaining to do.

[TwinOaks]

You may use whatever you want to sew with, and please ignore the somewhat hostile and negative comments......looks like somebody didn't get their nap before posting.

From what I've seen of the artificial sinew, it does not lay down as neatly when stitching, and since it is basically non-twisted thread, there may be some strength issues or stretching problems over the long haul. I'm one of the people that recommends using an awl instead of a punch because instead of the holes closing up 'a bit', the holes made with a diamond awl do close around the thread. This is pretty critical to thread life because it keeps out dirt and gunk. The 'gunk' side of that is probably less important if using synthetic thread, but getting sand or fine dirt particles in the holes can cut/abrade the stitch, causing it to break.

From a purely aesthetic perspective.....if you like the look of the artificial sinew and find that there are no durability problems with your products, by all means, keep using it. I prefer waxed linen, but use bonded nylon with a sewing machine (tippmann boss).

And yes, you can still call 'Leather Products'.

[electrathon]

You may use whatever you want to sew with, and please ignore the somewhat hostile and negative comments......looks like somebody didn't get their nap before posting.

From what I've seen of the artificial sinew, it does not lay down as neatly when stitching, and since it is basically non-twisted thread, there may be some strength issues or stretching problems over the long haul. I'm one of the people that recommends using an awl instead of a punch because instead of the holes closing up 'a bit', the holes made with a diamond awl do close around the thread. This is pretty critical to thread life because it keeps out dirt and gunk. The 'gunk' side of that is probably less important if using synthetic thread, but getting sand or fine dirt particles in the holes can cut/abrade the stitch, causing it to break.

From a purely aesthetic perspective.....if you like the look of the artificial sinew and find that there are no durability problems with your products, by all means, keep using it. I prefer waxed linen, but use bonded nylon with a sewing machine (tippmann boss).

And yes, you can still call 'Leather Products'.

Heck, If I was being hostile or negative I apologize. I thought it wsa funny.

[KAYAK45]

Hey! i Don't want to be hostile either, Sorry to affend. Lighten up. Please

[TwinOaks]

Apologies if it was taken the wrong way, but the first two replies seem a bit harsh for someone asking for the reasons why A. S. isn't used much in holster making.

[elt2jvadam]

Thanks for the advice. So far I've had no durability issues, but as I said before, it's all short term experience.

Next time I pick up supplies, I think I'll get an awl and some waxed linen to compare with what I've been using. Probably a groover and overstitch wheel, too. If everyone else is using it, then I need to check it out and see how it works for me.

I am much more of a utilitarian than an artist, and do not mean to offend any sensibilities here. Most of what I've made and will be making is for use and not for show, so my main concern is sturdiness and longevity. The vast majority of what I've been asked to make is for left-handed people and for less common guns.

Leather was easier for me to get into as a medium, so that's why I went with it. A.S. is what looked the strongest, and it was what the local hobby store had. I just never tried anything else.

Does anyone have any experience with long term durability on A.S.? Does it hold up? I don't want to put products out there that fail, so please let me know.

[SooperJake]

I think it is more a visual aesthetic than anything. If you are want to making things with a more primitive look, I think it helps for that.

But I prefer Barbour's size 6 linen thread aesthetically, so far, for hand sewing.

Jake

Edited August 16, 2012 by SooperJake

[katsass]

From the grumpy old guy: The only time that I have used it was when replicating a rig from around the 1860's or so. It was originally put together buy a member of the Apache tribe that ultimately ended up on the White Feather Reservation in AZ. A descendant wanted a copy of it. The original seemed to have been made from an old piece of saddle leather, maybe a saddle bag, roughly cut and stitched up with a whip stitch with true sinew. The thing had dried to the point that it was actually fragile. The big difference we noticed was that true sinew dries like rawhide (basically it is) , hard and inflexible. The synthetic is not. It appeared roughly correct, after rolling it to a round shape, but didn't really give the true look. IMO synthetic sinew is more for an aesthetic appearance, but is not as serviceable as waxed linen. Wish I had a picture of that thing, but that was long ago, and I didn't even think of pics of my work back then. . Mike

Edited August 16, 2012 by katsass