The Process From Raw to Ready.
For those of you that may be curious about how a rig or other leather items are made, this is your page.
Leather purchased in bulk, if you will, comes in many different forms.
All leather (with the exception of scrap) is sold by the square foot.
Like many products, there are different levels of quality.
I purchase leather in one of two forms. Either a side or double shoulder.
My preference is a double shoulder as it is not quite as large, has 2 sides near a 90 degree angle, and for the products I typically make there is much less waste, or scrap.
The picture on the left is a "side".
The picture on the right is a "double shoulder".
I cannot speak for other leather crafter's, but all of the leather purchased by Hogleg Leather is top quality veg tan leather.
The leather thickness is measured in ounces.
The thinest (lightest) leather I use is for lining belts and holsters.
The leather I use for lining holsters is 1 - 1 1/2 oz. calf skin.
Calf skin,in my opinion, is perfect for lining holsters. It is extremely soft and supple, yet very, very tough. It also takes dye very well.
If it has one fault it is that it shows "scuff" marks sooner from the smoke wagon, though in my opinion it just adds character to the rig.
Difficult to see the lining leather in this set of holsters, but it's there.
If you are wondering, this is a set I just finished for a young shooter at our club.
It was a nice coincidence that I own a pair of SAA's with the same frame as e shoots.
These are trimmed down so all of the trigger guard is exposed and are molded to fit his pistols.
I use the same weight leather, 1 - 1/2 oz., to line gun belts as well, but I use something a little firmer. The belt lining has to be able to hold up well under many different conditions.
Unless I am specifically asked to, I do not normally dye the belt lining leather. I do "antique" the leather some, and seal it to be water resistant like all the other leather, but I do not like to dye it.
There are really only 2 reasons.
First, it is not a part of the rig that is seen when you are wearing it and second, it is very nearly impossible to seal it in a way that keeps the dye on the belt and off the shooters clothes!!
Only 8 - 9 oz. leather is used for gun belts and holsters. Any thicker and the would not mold or bend well. Any thinner and they would not maintain their form or hold up for the years of use they are intended for.
Below are pictures of a gun belt during and after completion. This belt style is one of the more popular ones, and the style my personal belt is patterned after.
This is a slight "Drop-Belt". The belt can have leg ties added if desired but they are not necessary. When leg ties are requested I much prefer to make them small belts with buckles. This eliminates the ties coming undone during a shoot.
I shoot the "Gun Fighter" category and find the pistols slightly dropped are at a much more comfortable and natural position.
For this particular rig the shooter wanted 2-tone, black and natural.
He wanted it designed around a "Gambler" type theme with his alias included.
I used coin concho's to fit the "Gambler" theme.
The holsters are border tooled to match the belt, but I added a tooling pattern on the holsters, and holster straps, that allows them to "stand alone" should the shooter want to use them on another belt.
The holsters are removable because I do not use rivets to attach the holster strap to the back flap.
Depending on the holster I use either removable "Chicago Screws" or snaps.
Right: Belt just cut and getting stitch groove added. You can see the lines scribed for the notch where the holster will fit though.
Right:The tongue billet end for this belt after it had been border tooled matched against a blank billet end.
Below: The name placard cut and stitch grooved with the stitching pattern having been started. As every stitch is hand punted the marking positions for each stitch have to be made before assembly of the belt can begin. In the background you can see the belt with the border tooling started.
Right: The name placard having all the stitch positions marked is now being border tooled.
Below: The finished name placard.
It has been marked for the stitch pattern,
border tooled and the shooter's alias tooled
in it. You can also see the belt and tongue billet.
Below: All of the natural color pieces are finished and ready to be sewn on the belt.
You can see from the bottom up:
Buckle Bilet
Tongue Billet
Name (Talia) Plackard
Both Bullet Strips
Left: The finished belt. It has been border tooled and dyed.
Right: All of the finished parts are laid out before the belt is stitched together. I like to get a good idea of what the finished belt will look like before it goes together.
Below: All of the natural colored parts have now been sewn to the belt. Yes, if you are wondering, the belt is sitting on my rifle case for the picture!
Below: The buckle billet end of the completed
belt. *Notice the belt style leg ties.
Right: A close up of the buckle billet end and holster.
On the holster you can see the basket weave pattern.
Below: The tongue Billet end of the
finished belt.
Right: A closer view of the tongue billet end of the belt.
Below: The finished belt.
Completely designed and finished as the customer requested.
Coin concho's to match the "Gambler" theme, and leg stays.
This shooter knows that no matter where he goes he will not see another cowboy wearing the same belt!!
