Horse butts

[Bugscuffle]

Yes, that's what I said, horse butts. I just got two of them, actually one of them because each piece is 1/2 of a horse's butt. Any way, I am planning to make up a gunbelt and two holsters from them. The horse hides will be the inner layer and I'll use alligator embossed cowhide for the outer layer. At least that's the plan. It's either that or go into the baseball building business. Tandy has some very nice alligator embossed cowhide that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, just an arm. I got the horsehide from Zack White. You can see them here: http://zackwhite.com/xcart/home.php?cat=1097 . The posting said that it was 5-7 Oz. The thickness runs from about 0.100" to about 0.120" so I guess that's pretty close. The leather seems to be a bit softer than vegetable tanned cowhide, and there are just a few very slight color variations and anomalies in them to give it character, but not look ragged. Horse hide is supposed to be tougher and last longer than cowhide and these don't cost all that much. So if you really want a holster made out of politicians, here's your chance. Now that I think of it, that's a perfect analogy for this combination. It's a vicious animal that will eat you alive on the outside, but when you peel off the outer layer, it's just another horse's butt.

[bedbugbilly]

In theory . . . horsehide probably lasts longer than cowhide 'cause horses usually live longer than cows?   

Please keep us posted on how it works out for you . . . sounds interesting and I'd love top see some photos.  I don't think I''ve ever handled a piece of horse hide (knowingly) other than an old horse hair coat from the late 1800's that I once owned and had in muy collection.  Have you tried tooling a piece of it at all? 

If it works good, at least we'd all know that there would be an endless supply of it in Washington, DC.   

[GunClick Rick]

 

[Bugscuffle]

bedbugbilly - You have handled horsehide every time that you picked up a baseball. i tried stamping it on some of the parts that I don't think that I'll use, and it takes stamping really well. It's a little too thin to try carving or anything fancy on, but it seems to work as well as cowhide with stamps.

[bedbugbilly]

Today's laugh is on me! I'd completely forgot about baseballs!  Duh!   

[Antipaladin]

Horsehide is good stuff. Just finished sewing up a Ranger belt. Best place to get it
is the Horween retail shop http://thetanneryrow.com/

It's a 4 week wait but it's the best and you can get it in 5-7, 7-9, and 9+

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Hi,

I have not had good luck dyeing horsehide ... I look forward to your results ...

TTFN,

[Antipaladin]

I've never dyed it either. Just oiled/harness dressed.

[Bugscuffle]

Antipaladin - Great looking belt there pard. It looks like hand stitching and well done too. I like the oiled finish.

[Dalton Masterson]

I have played with it a little. My 1911 carry rig right now is horse butt. I have been using it more to make design prototypes, as SPringfield leather has it cheap. It doesnt seem to dye well, but does take oil somewhat nicely.

Also, I noticed on the Tannery Row link above, they are selling $400 dollar wallets... Wow. I could have a $400 wallet and $35 in it....  Nice site though with some nice looking leather.
DM

[Red Cent]

Bugs, Zack White is about 30 minutes SW of the house. I also discovered that they deal in Cobra machines. Their price is the same as the one with Steve on the website. I would assume I would save shipping costs.

[Bugscuffle]

Bugs, Zack White is about 30 minutes SW of the house. I also discovered that they deal in Cobra machines. Their price is the same as the one with Steve on the website. I would assume I would save shipping costs.

I don't know about their sewing machine pricing. I have determined that a sewing machine will have to stay on my wish list for a couple of hundred years. I read in a post here not too long ago that they have a pretty stiff restocking fee. I've never had to deal with that either, but they are very good to deal with. Good communication and fast shipping.

[Red Cent]

Probably will make the trip this week sometime. Read about the re-stocking fee.