Regis Report post 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
abn Report post 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Randyc Report post 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Regis Report post 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IndianaLeatherWorker Report post 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
