Best type of leather to use for a belt liner

[Kolton45]

I'm sure this has been gone over multiple times but I have a couple of questions and looking for recommendations on this topic. So I havnt lined a belt yet and I just had someone ask me for the first one and I'm unsure of what the best leather is for it I've seen alot ot guys say they just use a thin veg tan leather is that the best option or is one of the pig skin options a better bet? If using veg tan for the liner do you simply just seal it with a top coat and let it be if you want the color contrast dark outer light inner? And I will be using 8-9 oz herman oak for the outer and I will be tooling it thanks in advance for any help 

[Kolton45]

And I know your not supposed to use belly for belts but could you use it for linning? 

[JLSleather]

Yeah, you could.  Got a 9 oz belt, line it with some 2/3 or 3/4 and you're fine.  Some will line up to tell you about their belts 1/4" thick... but I only make 'em that heavy by specific request, and not too many want them that thick.

Whatever yer using, just be sure to use a piece that's clean and free of wrinkles.

Edited July 12, 2019 by JLSleather

[Kolton45]

56 minutes ago, JLSleather said:

Yeah, you could.  Got a 9 oz belt, line it with some 2/3 or 3/4 and you're fine.  Some will line up to tell you about their belts 1/4" thick... but I only make 'em that heavy by specific request, and not too many want them that thick.

Whatever yer using, just be sure to use a piece that's clean and free of wrinkles.

Ok thank you and is the no wrinkles for cosmetic reasons or is there other reasons? Sorry if that's a stupid question I'm still pretty new with leatherwork

[JLSleather]

Well, yah, basically cosmetic... but smoother is easier to take on and off, too.

[nrk]

7 hours ago, Kolton45 said:

I'm sure this has been gone over multiple times but I have a couple of questions and looking for recommendations on this topic. So I havnt lined a belt yet and I just had someone ask me for the first one and I'm unsure of what the best leather is for it I've seen alot ot guys say they just use a thin veg tan leather is that the best option or is one of the pig skin options a better bet? If using veg tan for the liner do you simply just seal it with a top coat and let it be if you want the color contrast dark outer light inner? And I will be using 8-9 oz herman oak for the outer and I will be tooling it thanks in advance for any help 

depends on belt purpose.

casual daily usage - 7oz + 2/3oz lining

heavy duty - 8/9oz + 2/3oz lining

both for tooling

If need something elegant, with a suit, then 5/6oz +2/3oz lining

lining material depends on the belt type imho
example, i personally would line the gator belt with finished liner (goat, calf etc.)

[Kolton45]

The guy didnt specify how he was gona be wearing it he is ordering it for his dad. So do you think 8-9oz with 2-3oz would be too much for everyday use if that's how he intends to wear it? I am also gona be buck stitching this belt and it will also be my first time buck stitching so any pointers on that would be appreciated also 

[YinTx]

I have a nice belt I made from some 5 oz veg tan, no liner.  I use it to mow the yard and to do work, it gets soaked to the bone in water and sweat and grit and grime,  let it dry and it works just fine the next time.  If it was 9 oz with a 3 oz liner I wouldn't be happy, I'd feel like it would weigh more than the jeans it is holding up.

I have another nice belt I wear when I need to look decent, 7 oz with  2-3oz liner, hand stitched, looks sharp, weight doesn't bother me because I'm not working, usually sitting etc.  I don't carry, but if I did, I suspect the lighter belt wouldn't do so well.

An every day belt in 5 oz with 2 oz liner would probably be just dandy, for me anyhow.  Everyone else may differ.

YinTx

[Lobo]

I agree with the above comment regarding the intended use of the belt. A belt made for dress-up use is different from a heavy-duty belt for load carrying use.

I have made thousands of belts, lined and unlined. A very nice dress belt can be made of 6/7 or 7/8 leather with a 2/3 lining (suede or smooth). A heavy-duty gun belt requires a combination in the 12/14 range (two layers of 6/7, or 9/10 with 3/4 lining, etc). Cementing and stitching two layers of leather together offers an effect similar to plywood, much greater strength and rigidity with reduced stretching, bending, or twisting in use. A heavy-duty belt supports a load better without having to be worn so tightly that it becomes uncomfortable.

I have also made belts intended for carrying a holstered pistol and accessories using two layers of 5/6 or 6/7 with a stiffening strip of rawhide cemented and stitched into the belt body. I made a competition belt for a shooter once that used a strip of 29 gauge galvanized sheet metal for strength and rigidity.

My personal belts are made of two layers of horsehide, typically 6/7 oz, cemented flesh-to-flesh and stitched at the edges full-length. The one I am now wearing is about 12 years old and shows no signs of ever wearing out, and it always carries a full-size 1911 .45 pistol, spare magazine, and cell phone case. Horsehide is very dense, compared to cowhide, with much greater strength in use and less tendency to stretch or twist in use.

[Kolton45]

4 hours ago, Lobo said:

I agree with the above comment regarding the intended use of the belt. A belt made for dress-up use is different from a heavy-duty belt for load carrying use.

I have made thousands of belts, lined and unlined. A very nice dress belt can be made of 6/7 or 7/8 leather with a 2/3 lining (suede or smooth). A heavy-duty gun belt requires a combination in the 12/14 range (two layers of 6/7, or 9/10 with 3/4 lining, etc). Cementing and stitching two layers of leather together offers an effect similar to plywood, much greater strength and rigidity with reduced stretching, bending, or twisting in use. A heavy-duty belt supports a load better without having to be worn so tightly that it becomes uncomfortable.

I have also made belts intended for carrying a holstered pistol and accessories using two layers of 5/6 or 6/7 with a stiffening strip of rawhide cemented and stitched into the belt body. I made a competition belt for a shooter once that used a strip of 29 gauge galvanized sheet metal for strength and rigidity.

My personal belts are made of two layers of horsehide, typically 6/7 oz, cemented flesh-to-flesh and stitched at the edges full-length. The one I am now wearing is about 12 years old and shows no signs of ever wearing out, and it always carries a full-size 1911 .45 pistol, spare magazine, and cell phone case. Horsehide is very dense, compared to cowhide, with much greater strength in use and less tendency to stretch or twist in use.

Ok so I need some advise with buying leather so I just do this more for a hobby and to some custom orders nothing to quite my day job over so I was originally planning on ordering a side of hermann oak 8-9oz because most of the belts I make are unlined now I'm thinking I should just get 2 bends one of 2-3 and the other of 6-7 or 7-8 so question is for you more experienced guys what is my best bet for ordering leather where I'll get the most bang for my buck