Calf Skin 2-3 Ounce For Holster Lining? Too Soft Or Prone To Tearing?

[Tallbald]

I only recently have begun teaching myself (with help from this forum of course) to line my leather holsters. My holsters are 7-8 ounce veg tanned Wickett and Craig and Hermann Oak, and right now I'm trying 2-3 ounce veg tanned pigskin for the lining. I know some prefer to use two thin layers of 4-5 ounce cowhide, but I am using the same hides for my custom gun belts as my holsters. I see that calf skin 2-3 ounce is approximately half the price of the hides I use for my belts and holsters, and wonder about the working quaities of calf skin. is calf skin suitable for holster lining? Or is it too delicate and prone to tearing? Thanks. Don

[Dwight]

I dislike using different thicknesses because they never work out for me as well as the double layer / same thickness.

At the buckle end of the belt, you either have a step/shelf, . . . or you skive it down, . . . weakening that piece of leather.

With holsters, . . . they tend to wrinkle more on the inside, . . . and I DO NOT like wrinkles in the interior of my holsters.

What little I have done that way turned me off, . . . I'm just following Mr. Bianchi's advice, . . . two equal pieces. YMMV

May God bless,

Dwight

[Red Cent]

Dwight, actually Bianchi said to use the next weight down to line the holster. He used 8-9 ounce and 7-8 ounce. I use 8-9 outer and a 5-6 liner. I never skive cause I don't look at the wrinkles

After gluing them together I sew the cosmetic edges. Then fold and glue the main seam. But then, most are western style holsters.

TallBald, I guess it would work. Don't know of a reason it would not. Pictures.

Edited January 20, 2016 by Red Cent

[JLSleather]

calfskin is fine --- it will hold up much better than the pig

some 2 or 3 oz goat even better.

and wrinkles are not mandatory.

Edited January 20, 2016 by JLSleather

[Tallbald]

Thank you all for taking time to share with me. Don.

[katsass]

FWIW, I'm with Dwight. Two layers of the same thickness (weight) of leather works best for me. That equals out to be between 8 and 10 oz. leather. That's all well and good for damned near every holster I ever put together. Mike

Edited January 25, 2016 by katsass

[usmc0341]

Not to sidetrack the thread, but good to see you on here Katsass

[katsass]

Thank you - Had a bit of a rough go here for a couple of years but seems like I was able to make it past the roughest spots -- so far.