Contributing Member Regis Posted January 31, 2008 Contributing Member Report Posted January 31, 2008 (edited) I purchased a leather "bargin" year or so ago at Seigle or Hidecrafter or? I believe it is referred to as Chap but, I'm not sure. It's about 7/8 oz (estimate). The flesh side is like suede, very even, and overall it is VERY soft. It is a dark reddish brown but, when I cut it I can see that the color is on both sides but isn't completely through. I feels like it has perhaps a very slightly oil finish. Not knowing what exactly to do with it, I made a holster for a revolver that I have. Planned on using it just to get the pattern tight but, it I like the look. It is too soft/limp to be functional and wonder if there is any way to stiffen it up. If not, how about some suggestions for the rest of the hide. Thanks, Regis Edited January 31, 2008 by Regis Quote God, Family, and Country (although liberals are attempting to destroy these in the USA)
Ambassador abn Posted January 31, 2008 Ambassador Report Posted January 31, 2008 Regis, I don't think there's a way to "stiffen" sueded chap leather. However, I have occasionally glued a lining of Mission Grain Pigskin to suede to give it more body (i.e., less tendency to bend). It's a bit of a pain, but helps you use garment leather for some other purposes, like building handbags. Hope this helps! -Alex Quote
Ambassador Luke Hatley Posted January 31, 2008 Ambassador Report Posted January 31, 2008 regis... i would line it also.... do like abn said or go thru the scrap box and look for some 2-3 oz. calif. that would stiffen it up. then you can mold the gun to the holster... Quote Luke
Randyc Posted January 31, 2008 Report Posted January 31, 2008 Regis, I'm guessing your chap leather is possibly chrome tanned insted of vegatable tanned. If the leather is chrome tanned, I would not use it to build any holsters. The salts used in the chrome tanning process will damage a handguns finish and will not mold properly. Just my 2 cents worth. Randy Quote Randy Cooley Bulldog Custom Gun Leather www.bulldogleathercompany.com
Contributing Member Regis Posted January 31, 2008 Author Contributing Member Report Posted January 31, 2008 Regis,I'm guessing your chap leather is possibly chrome tanned insted of vegatable tanned. If the leather is chrome tanned, I would not use it to build any holsters. The salts used in the chrome tanning process will damage a handguns finish and will not mold properly. Just my 2 cents worth. Randy It is definately NOT veg tanned. Never thought about properties in the tanning process that could damage gun. The leather is much toooo soft to holds any forming details. Folded and sewn in shap so gun only goes in the correct amount. Thank all, Regis Quote God, Family, and Country (although liberals are attempting to destroy these in the USA)
Contributing Member TwinOaks Posted February 1, 2008 Contributing Member Report Posted February 1, 2008 If the leather has a white-ish or a gray white center, it's probably chrome tanned. Possible that you got some Latigo for chaps-not sure on the suitableness of it for holsters. If it's CT, definitely don't use it, unless you're looking to refinish some pistols. Quote Mike DeLoach Esse Quam Videri (Be rather than Seem) "Don't learn the tricks of the trade.....Learn the trade." "Teach what you know......Learn what you don't." LEATHER ARTISAN'S DIGITAL GUILD on Facebook.
Members IndianaLeatherWorker Posted February 10, 2008 Members Report Posted February 10, 2008 If it is veg tanned, then there are a few methods of hardening the leather. Here is a site that explains the whole process much better than I ever could. http://personal.utulsa.edu/~marc-carlson/leather/hl.html Quote
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