Great photos

[antipaladin]

http://www.brigadegunleather.com/process.html

Some excellent hi-rez photographs of a quality

product (I have one but this isn't an ad). I like the "commercial" strength sander and burnisher. Talk about glass smooth edges!

The Western holster/belt pics are mostly near the middle and

bottom of the page.

When I called them they said they

use a "double lock stitch", which seems to be they run the

industrial strength sewing machine down and back up the

same set of holes to imitate a hand sewn saddle stitch.

Edited November 8, 2008 by antipaladin

[esantoro]

That is fantastic quality. Incredible attention to detail. It doesn't look like they are double stitching each hole, but it does look like they are using 346 top thread, superb leather, and either an Artisan or a Ferdco machine.

[esantoro]

I think what they mean by double lock stitch is that for reinforcement in some areas there are two rows of stitching.

I wonder if any of their leather is bridle or if it's all skirting.

Ed

[gicts]

that's amazing work! One question I have is why do holster makers put the screw/ rivet next to the trigger like that? What purpose does it have?

[esantoro]

It looks like they get a lot of their supplies at Weaver.

I'd like to know what they're using to seal the flesh side.

ed

Edited December 19, 2008 by esantoro

[Tac]

Gicts.. The tention screw near the trigger guard on holsters is there to tention the gun in the holster (adjustable to the users preference) to prevent the gun from falling out during rigorous use.

[gicts]

Thanks! I never knew that

[HarryB]

I'll have to look at my jugs when I get to the shop, but it looks a lot like the flesh side is finished with Holster Kote. A rep from the company told me years ago that they market the same product several different ways; if they are selling to holster makers, they call it Hoslter Kote, if they are selling it to belt makers, they call it Belt Kote, etc. Its water based, dries clear and glossy and looks very good. I'll post the company name as soon as I can.

[esantoro]

I'll have to look at my jugs when I get to the shop, but it looks a lot like the flesh side is finished with Holster Kote. A rep from the company told me years ago that they market the same product several different ways; if they are selling to holster makers, they call it Hoslter Kote, if they are selling it to belt makers, they call it Belt Kote, etc. Its water based, dries clear and glossy and looks very good. I'll post the company name as soon as I can.

Thanks, Harry. I look forward to getting a gallon.

ed

[esantoro]

Came across this 19th-century leatherworking journal in my searches. This link should take you to a highlighted portion about using a paste to finish the flesh side.

http://books.google.com/books?id=UhAAAAAAM...V5IvBnfvrZICuV4

Ed

[Peterk]

I have experimented and now use Bag Kote to seal the flesh side. When I was using low grade leather from Tandy it "pasted" the loose fibers down pat, and now with the already pasted leather I have, it gives the flesh a very slick and glossy finish, almost like a burnished surface. I posted a while back trying to find out what Brigade is using but couldn't find an answer...

I do admire the edges they get on their holsters... I am still searching for a faster and easier way to burnished the edges on my holsters; that is one thing that is holding me back in terms of advancing the quality of my holsters. I would love to get their formula (or maybe just their tools) for burnishing. :-)

[esantoro]

I have experimented and now use Bag Kote to seal the flesh side. When I was using low grade leather from Tandy it "pasted" the loose fibers down pat, and now with the already pasted leather I have, it gives the flesh a very slick and glossy finish, almost like a burnished surface. I posted a while back trying to find out what Brigade is using but couldn't find an answer...

I do admire the edges they get on their holsters... I am still searching for a faster and easier way to burnished the edges on my holsters; that is one thing that is holding me back in terms of advancing the quality of my holsters. I would love to get their formula (or maybe just their tools) for burnishing. :-)

That wood slicker is key.

Ed

[esantoro]

I'll have to look at my jugs when I get to the shop, but it looks a lot like the flesh side is finished with Holster Kote. A rep from the company told me years ago that they market the same product several different ways; if they are selling to holster makers, they call it Hoslter Kote, if they are selling it to belt makers, they call it Belt Kote, etc. Its water based, dries clear and glossy and looks very good. I'll post the company name as soon as I can.

I hate when manufacturers and distributors play "can you guess what you're buying." It makes me want to find out even more.

My sleuthing is beginning to confirm more and more that this mystery substance in indeed a product that stems from my good friend Carlos at LCI in the Lone Star state. Indeed, they do market it several different ways. Weaver Leather has Weaver Leather Kote, Weaver Tuff Kote, and Top Coat #200.

The website for LCI/DYO has this:

Clear Cote:

A flexible, medium gloss acrylic top coat finish that adheres well to all smooth leathers and all other DYO Products. Clear Cote quickly dries to a water resistant, attractive finish. Clear Cote also offers the advantages of being a water based finish. Clear Cote is also available in Matte Finish.

Application: Spray or Manual

Top Cote 3305:

This medium gloss, water based clear finish produces a slight “waxy hand.” Top Cote 3305 adheres to all smooth leathers as well as leathers that have been oiled. It can also be “oiled through”, once cured. Widely used in the manufacture of saddles & tack.

Application: Spray or Manual

Top Cote 4119:

This high gloss, water based clear finish adheres well to all smooth leathers. Top Cote 4119 provides a smooth, even feel and can be applied to leathers that have been dyed or finished with any DYO product. Widely used in the manufacture of belts, holsters, and personal leather goods.

Application: Spray or Manual

Top Cote 820:

Top Cote 820 is a water based, clear, top cote finish that is applied manually to create or restore a high gloss factory finish to fine boots & shoes. Top Cote 820 will not discolor or damage the colored finish of the footwear and can be used on all smooth leathers including exotics. If thinning is desired, thin with water only.

Application: Manual

Top Cote 840:

Top Cote 840 is designed to produce a semi-high gloss, clear, factory finish. Like Top Cote 820, it is water based and non-hazardous. Top Cote 840 however, offers the advantage of being sprayable. Top Cote 840 is considered the premier finishing product for many of the leading footwear manufacturers.

Application: Spray or Manual

Top Cote # 9:

Top Cote # 9 is the most durable clear top cohttp://leatherworker.net/forum/style_images/mocha1.2/folder_editor_images/rte-image-button.pngte currently available. Top Cote # 9 offers excellent adherence, flexibility and stands side by side with DYO Tuff Cote in terms of abrasion, scuff, and impact resistance. Top Cote # 9 provides a high gloss and is water based. The intense gloss achieved with Top Cote # 9 makes it the perfect top cote for exotic leathers such as alligator, ostrich, and lizard.

Application: Spray or Manual

AND................DRUM ROLL, PLEASE............................WAIT FOR IT...............................................WAIT FOR IT..............

Color Cote:

DYO Color Cote is the most advanced and versatile pigmented finish available for leather today. Color Cote is aqueous, and is quick drying. Once set, Color Cote is waterproof and resistant to most solvents. In addition to leather, Color Cote also adheres very well to vinyl’s and other synthetics. Color Cote is also safer and more cost efficient than many finishes. It’s aqueous nature allows easy clean-up. There are no harmful fumes and no hazardous material disposal.

Application: Spray or Manual

Holster Cote & Belt Cote:

DYO’s Holster Cote and Belt Cote offer the same advantages as Color Cote, as well as cost efficiency. Holster Cote or Belt Cote should be applied as the top cote colorant after the base dye has dried. Thomsen’s Leather Dye or DLD series dyes are recommended as the base dye for this easy two step system.

Application: Spray or Manual

Now, to confuse things even more, DYO is no longer in existence and some of its products have been bought out by LCI, which has still different names for the products, names which seem more in line with Weaver's marketing:

http://www.leathercoatings.com/clear.htm

ed

[esantoro]

I have experimented and now use Bag Kote to seal the flesh side. When I was using low grade leather from Tandy it "pasted" the loose fibers down pat, and now with the already pasted leather I have, it gives the flesh a very slick and glossy finish, almost like a burnished surface. I posted a while back trying to find out what Brigade is using but couldn't find an answer...

I do admire the edges they get on their holsters... I am still searching for a faster and easier way to burnished the edges on my holsters; that is one thing that is holding me back in terms of advancing the quality of my holsters. I would love to get their formula (or maybe just their tools) for burnishing. :-)

They might be using white glycerine saddle soap for the edges rather than beeswax.

Ed

[esantoro]

I'll have to look at my jugs when I get to the shop, but it looks a lot like the flesh side is finished with Holster Kote. A rep from the company told me years ago that they market the same product several different ways; if they are selling to holster makers, they call it Hoslter Kote, if they are selling it to belt makers, they call it Belt Kote, etc. Its water based, dries clear and glossy and looks very good. I'll post the company name as soon as I can.

Just got in Tuff Kote clear and Tuff Kote black from Weaver. The LCI MAterial Safety Sheets included labelled the items as Poly-Kote and Spray-Kote. My guess is that the former is for the black and the latter for the clear. All information on both sheets is identical.

While I like the PVA solution we came up with, I'm beginning to think this Tuff Kote is used by that holster company that does such beautiful work.

Now for a bit of recap, after two minutes experience with Tuff Kote from Weaver:

I believe this is what I have purchased. The following description, from the now-defunt Dyo website, seems to be the most informative:

Color Cote:

DYO Color Cote is the most advanced and versatile pigmented finish available for leather today. Color Cote is aqueous, and is quick drying. Once set, Color Cote is waterproof and resistant to most solvents. In addition to leather, Color Cote also adheres very well to vinyl’s and other synthetics. Color Cote is also safer and more cost efficient than many finishes. It’s aqueous nature allows easy clean-up. There are no harmful fumes and no hazardous material disposal.

Application: Spray or Manual

Holster Cote & Belt Cote:

DYO’s Holster Cote and Belt Cote offer the same advantages as Color Cote, as well as cost efficiency. Holster Cote or Belt Cote should be applied as the top cote colorant after the base dye has dried. Thomsen’s Leather Dye or DLD series dyes are recommended as the base dye for this easy two step system.

Application: Spray or Manual

As always, pictures will be forthcoming.

The Color-Kote/Poly-Kote may very well be an extremely interesting product, interesting enough to make me tempt an order with LCI once again.

shipped with it labeled the

[MADMAX22]

Outstanding, thanks esantoro.