What To Do With Belly Leather Please. Never Used Any, But Some's Coming

[Tallbald]

Up to last week, I had always ordered hides with the belly cut away before shipping. I am trying a new hide supplier though, and what it amounts to is this: the cost to cut away the belly on a per foot basis cancels out any savings I would see by not paying for the belly leather in the first place. The hide is to be holstered so maybe that will affect the usefulness of the belly leather, but I don;'t know much about belly leather except that it isn't good for my holsters of belts.

Can belly hide be used for small purses, pouches and cases? I have I expect 5-6 square feet of belly coming. I'd appreciate suggestions.

Thanks. Don.

[Glendon]

The characteristics of belly leather that people do not like is that it is soft and stretchy. This makes it fine for some styles of bags and pocket items where some give won't hurt. What I love it for is wet molding, possibles pouches, other molded cases, and masks.

Edited November 19, 2015 by Glendon

[JLSleather]

I'm a big fan of W/C leathers, but the belly is great for trash can lining (and that's about it). Incidentally, if that's the co you're referrring to, it IS cheaper to have the belly removed (buying backs).

[Tallbald]

I'll try some possibles pouches and small bags. I've never shied away from a challenge, and wet molding is nice. I was taught that a good craftsman could make something nice from a less than pristine material. It's a matter of skills I guess.Thanks all. Don.

Edited November 20, 2015 by Tallbald

[JLSleather]

S'pose I'll jus' hafta keep on practicin'

[chiefjason]

Here's my list of uses.

rough patterns to not waste good leather.

washers or spacers

great for cutting into pieces to spread contact cement

occasionally pocket holsters or pocket mag holders if it's not fleshy

daughters hair stick holders

testing dye

personal gear I don't want to waste good leather on

sometimes mouth reinforcements, clip covers, or welts

Let's face it, even a master craftsman can't make something nice out of junk. They use the good stuff. Save what you think you might use later. Throw out the stuff that's just junk. You should be able to tell the difference. FWIW, there is some leather between a back and the fleshy belly stuff that's just a bit thinner but still usable.

[biglew]

yeah thats why i have too much scrap each year..... can't bring myself to throw away anything. well anything over 1/2 inch

[Tallbald]

Thanks. I can see several applications for belly leather. I use my premium hide sections for my holsters and belts,always carefully selecting and hand cutting my straps, holster parts, and creating my own patterns. The "holstering" of the hide may make working characteristics better initially. I'll just have to experiment.

I use scraps too small for bigger and better items to make key chains, bracelets and such that sell at area tourist and novelty type stores and help generate income rather than throwing them out. Hair sticks are a good idea too ChiefJason. I admire your creative uses Glendon and ChiefJason. I too would toss any really fleshy sections. I have too much stock and too little space to keep junk leather around.

For some time I've had in mind wet molded possibles bags for black powder shooters--the characteristics of belly leather might be in keeping with the application.

Thank again all for the good ideas. Don

Edited November 20, 2015 by Tallbald

[keplerts]

There are some folks that use bellies for economy horse halters.

[TinkerTailor]

Mail order bellys i would never do, However in person, when going through the stack, i flip them all over and look for smooth back. Depending on what they are from, sometimes due to hide shape there is quite a bit of good leather that stuck down below the straight edge of the bend that was cut off. This stuff is great for molding smaller projects from. I usually find maybe 2-4 out of a stack of 10 that are worth buying. I have made some nice stuff out bellys. This is from a belly:

It is a bicycle lock holster. Sold for $200. Took me 5 hours. $20 dollar belly , 2.50 for clasp.

Btw, got 2 more fronts out of same belly

Bellys don't pay eh?

Edited November 21, 2015 by TinkerTailor