rayban
06-15-2011, 08:19 AM
After making many belts from steer hide, I decided to try making one from horse to see what all the fuss was about. There are many out there that swear that horse is the only way to fly for a gun belt.
Horse hide is more dense than cow, so 1/4" of horse is going to be stiffer than the same thickness of cow......my question has always been..."true, but just how stiff does a belt have to be to haul around a gun and holster...etc. etc..."
So after finishing one up, my first impression is ....NICE!!!!......working with horse is no different than working with cow, but the "feel" is different.
I was warned by other belt makers that it's rare to find horse hide completely free of any imperfections....horses fight and and are accident prone and carry the scars forever......and consequently show up on the belts sometimes.
Also, when dyed, the results are some blotchyness, except for black which turns out pretty even. I find the blotchyness to be kinda cool and "character" looking.
There's no doubt that 1/4" thick horsehide will carry the load and is never going to fold, cave-in, etc. from the demand of carrying a gun and holster....HOWEVER.....I say the same thing of my steer hide belts.
But like anything else, you pick your flavor and roll with it.
This one is made of two layers of horse...glued and stitched, with brass hardware. The only imperfection shown is just a surface scratch and will have no bearing on it's wear and workability.
Downside- the longest piece of leather I had available would only allow for a size 36" which does not fit me....yet...but I'm working on it.:crazy:
Meanwhile it will be in the "for sale" forum.
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb277/RGleather/Misc193.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb277/RGleather/Misc194.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb277/RGleather/Misc195.jpg
Horse hide is more dense than cow, so 1/4" of horse is going to be stiffer than the same thickness of cow......my question has always been..."true, but just how stiff does a belt have to be to haul around a gun and holster...etc. etc..."
So after finishing one up, my first impression is ....NICE!!!!......working with horse is no different than working with cow, but the "feel" is different.
I was warned by other belt makers that it's rare to find horse hide completely free of any imperfections....horses fight and and are accident prone and carry the scars forever......and consequently show up on the belts sometimes.
Also, when dyed, the results are some blotchyness, except for black which turns out pretty even. I find the blotchyness to be kinda cool and "character" looking.
There's no doubt that 1/4" thick horsehide will carry the load and is never going to fold, cave-in, etc. from the demand of carrying a gun and holster....HOWEVER.....I say the same thing of my steer hide belts.
But like anything else, you pick your flavor and roll with it.
This one is made of two layers of horse...glued and stitched, with brass hardware. The only imperfection shown is just a surface scratch and will have no bearing on it's wear and workability.
Downside- the longest piece of leather I had available would only allow for a size 36" which does not fit me....yet...but I'm working on it.:crazy:
Meanwhile it will be in the "for sale" forum.
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb277/RGleather/Misc193.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb277/RGleather/Misc194.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb277/RGleather/Misc195.jpg