Premium Calf Hide For Bullet Looping?

[Bobby hdflame]

I've been watching a video by John Bianchi on western holster making. He said to use premium calf hide for the bullet loops. Said it was stronger and easy to work with.

I looked at Springfield Leather site and they have a premium calf hide listed, no weight or thickness. John didn't specify a thickness either. Does all calf hide come the same oz.?

Do you use anything else for bullet loops on a western holster and why?

Thanks.

[Art]

A lot of it is used in the boot and shoe trade as a vamp and also a liner leather. This is usually 4oz or so. Luke should have some at Sheridan Leather. The Italian stuff is made of Unicorn Hide I think and way too expensive for bullet loops (although they would be nice bullet loops). Make sure you ask for veg tanned if you are going to dye it, otherwise chrome tan comes in a gazillion colors. Looks like John was using veg tan in the video, but any veg tanned tooling leather in 4oz will work. Make sure it is flexible enough to handle being bent to the bullet diameter without cracking.

Art

[Bobby hdflame]

A lot of it is used in the boot and shoe trade as a vamp and also a liner leather. This is usually 4oz or so. Luke should have some at Sheridan Leather. The Italian stuff is made of Unicorn Hide I think and way too expensive for bullet loops (although they would be nice bullet loops). Make sure you ask for veg tanned if you are going to dye it, otherwise chrome tan comes in a gazillion colors. Looks like John was using veg tan in the video, but any veg tanned tooling leather in 4oz will work. Make sure it is flexible enough to handle being bent to the bullet diameter without cracking.

Art

Thanks for the reply. I looked at the video again and he didn't say anything but "Premium Calf Hide", no weight or other description. It does look like veg tanned and it is very thin and supple.

I looked on Sheridan's site and couldn't find any calf leather listed at all. Actually they didn't even have any 4 oz. leather that I could find. Guess I would have to call them??

I also looked at Springfield's again and their description is:

Soft Veg Tan Side 12-17SqFt

Very high-end leather. These are very nice, clean large calf sides that have been veg tanned and then milled for that soft, pebble grained appearance and very drapey feel. Tools well, dyes well, and is one of the most versatile leathers that I've seen in a while. Perfect for all sorts of bags, soft accessories, clutches, wallets, etc. You'll love working with this!! 3-4 oz.

So it is about 4 oz. leather that Springfield has. $3.99 sq. ft. Not too bad.

I've got some leather being delivered from Springfield today. I'll see what it looks like. Been wanting to try some Herman Oak. I've only used Tandy's veg tanned so far.

[ChuckBurrows]

I've been making bullet loops for over 40 years now and have found any decent 3/4 oz veg tan will work just fine (some prefer 4/5 oz, but 3/4 was the most commonly used thickness during the late 1800's, the period my work emulates). I've used premium calf in side by side comparison tests and frankly the extra expense just wasn't worth it as long as you cut your strips length wise and along the back of your side (not the lower belly area) Going lengthwise, nose to tail, cuts down on the stretchiness. If the hide you have is a bit on the stretchy side, just cut your strips wider then needed (about 1 1/2" for a 1" finished strip or even wider say about 4-5" to get two or three finished strips out of), wet and pre-stretch, than trim to correct width

[Art]

Remember that John's video was made around 1995. At that time and before, Tandy was selling some of the best calf around. I have no idea where it came from, but it was exceptional. It was not terribly expensive.

Those days are gone.

Art

[Bobby hdflame]

Remember that John's video was made around 1995. At that time and before, Tandy was selling some of the best calf around. I have no idea where it came from, but it was exceptional. It was not terribly expensive.

Those days are gone.

Art

John seems to be plugging Tandy, but I've never seen his video offered on their site. Wonder why?

Thanks for the tip on pre-stretching the leather.

[SooperJake]

Pretty sure he does state the thickness in the video. " Not less than 3 1/2 oz., not more than 4oz." ( Paraphrased)

Jake

Edited August 29, 2012 by SooperJake

[Bobby hdflame]

Pretty sure he does state the thickness in the video. " Not less than 3 1/2 oz., not more than 4oz." ( Paraphrased)

Jake

Thanks, I probably missed it.

[Art]

Then it was Tandy, a different company than the current TLF. Tandy did not make the video either.

Art

[Dwight]

I use 4 oz or so veg tan in my bullet loops, . . . do not sew them, . . . loop out and back through the same hole. Rivets hold the ends, . . . and it is always contact cememted to the liner.

Always do em wet, . . . use actual bullet for sizing, shaping, etc.

I use a 7/8 in wide strap pulling through a 3/4 in strap punch hole, . . . have never had any problems with it.

Sometimes the first few loops are a bit tough, . . . but after it dries, . . . gets dyed, finished, etc.. . . they always look good to me, . . . customers are happy.

Works for me.

May God bless,

Dwight