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

[Tallbald]

I'm pleased to receive some belly leather. I believe that practice and determination along with skill brought forward will let me craft useful, desirable items that folks will be pleased to have. Again, it's a matter of skills developed using imperfect materials. It speaks to the expertise of the leather worker.Thank you for the inspiration. Beautiful results. And it shows you are quite the craftsperson..I disregard naysayers. Don.

Edited November 23, 2015 by Tallbald

[Bob Blea]

I've got a question: Would the belly leather make a good lining for a holster? If it was glued to a firm outer layer with the grain side towards the firearm, seems like it would make a good lining and stretch wouldn't be a problem.

[JLSleather]

Long as it's fairly decent looking, I'm gonna say you're right, Bob.

I order without the belly portion (except bridle leather, I aint sure why ). And in those small pre-cut things in one of the stores, I advertise it as "no belly leather"! That way, me and some others with basically no skills have SOME hope of putting out one decent project

Edited November 24, 2015 by JLSleather

[Tallbald]

Bob I like your idea. I see great possibilities for lining say, folding knife sheaths, and not having to use pigskin but rather the belly hide. The flexibility of the belly, as long as it was not too wrinkled would let it conform to the outer layer well maybe. Same principle as using it for the beautiful bicycle chain holster just formed inward. Experimentation will show.

My hide did arrive and I'm pleased with the whole skin. The belly is firm yet flexible. Glad I bought it instead of paying them the same amount to remove it before shipping. I expect it will indeed give me an opportunity to acquire new skills in working with this portion of the leather.

Thank you for the idea. Don.

Edited November 26, 2015 by Tallbald

[TinkerTailor]

Bob I like your idea. I see great possibilities for lining say, folding knife sheaths, and not having to use pigskin but rather the belly hide. The flexibility of the belly, as long as it was not too wrinkled would let it conform to the outer layer well maybe. Same principle as using it for the beautiful bicycle chain holster just formed inward. Experimentation will show.

My hide did arrive and I'm pleased with the whole skin. The belly is firm yet flexible. Glad I bought it instead of paying them the same amount to remove it before shipping. I expect it will indeed give me an opportunity to acquire new skills in working with this portion of the leather.

Thank you for the idea. Don

Bellys stretch but also tend to squish more as well. Because the belly when used as a lining will squish and conform to the item better than the backside of stiff veg, it may help with retention as an added bonus.

[Tallbald]

TinkerTailor I hadn't thought of that. I appreciate your sharing. I wonder if the squishing to conform to the shape relaxes back over time if the item is not in the holster? Or would it basically retain the squished contour? I love the toughness and resilience of leather. The belly sounds for all intents and purposes to be a very useful portion of the hide. Again, I'm glad I made the wise business and crafting decision to accept the belly hide. I just need to develop the skill set to learn its use.

Thanks as always. Don

[Doc Reaper]

I know this post is old but I make small cases, sheaths, stitching horse pads, low cost holsters, drink holders for bikes. There are all kinds of things to be made with bellies! In the old days waste was not wanted, today most folks want the prettiest leather used on places it won't ever be seen, that's stupid in my eyes! Try making things out of it, I'm sure you will be pleased

[sheathmaker]

This is what I do, but to each his own.  I buy Wickett&Craig utility grade saddle skirting and have it split to 7/8 oz.  I buy five colors.  When the sides arrive I "square up the side", (Cut of the belly leather) and run it through My Cobra 14 splitter taking it down to about 2 OZ., which I then use for linings my custom sheaths etc.  I have found the top grain of belly leather is for the most part equal to the top grain anywhere else on the side.  This means I no longer have to have additional sides split to 2/3OZ. so my overall inventory of leather has gone to about half, and I don't have trash cans full of belly leather.

 

It works fine for me, you are welcome to try it too!

 

Paul