Bellies for Sheaths?

H

HoosierQ

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Feb 9, 2010
Messages
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My local Tandy has a bunch of Veg Tanned Bellies for $4.99 each. I liked the looks of three of the pieces a lot and got them. The guys there know me and wanted me to be careful what I chose to do with them. They are all very nice, smooth, low nap, thick and hard.

They said sheaths would be a good use for them. This is the first time I have seem bellies there. Anybody ever use bellies in their work? I have a rough understanding of the downsides (stretchy etc). For $15, I will be happy no matter what is said, just want to pick the right projects.
 
For what they cost, they're pretty good for practice leather, from stitching to stamping, swivel knife practice, etc.

I won't say it can't be done, but it's difficult to turn out quality work with them. They might work OK for welts in sheaths, although if you dye your welts, they could probably turn out a different color than the other pieces around them.
 
I'd agree with what Greg said. I started out with bellies not knowing any better and they worked as sheaths not too bad at all but whether they would stand up to time, I'd think not.
For pouch sheaths, they worked well as by the nature of the design, the knife is usually quite secure due to the amount of sheath covering the blade and handle.

As someone pointed out (Leatherman maybe), that if you think of the hide on the cow, the belly is the part that swells and contracts the most and in all directions. This will likely transfer to a sheath that will not have great stability over time particularly if it gets wet. I'm guessing you knew that already.

The only dyeing issues I had with them was that they can have those "veiny" marks that tend to show through.
 
Take this for what it is worth: If you start out with crap there is a very good chance the finished product will really resemble crap. Also consider the value of your time. If your time has little or no value, then doing a sheath over because it failed due to sorry materials won't be such a big deal to you. Oh, one other thing....your personal pride. If you have none then sorry materials won't be a factor.

Finally, the least expensive leather you will ever buy is the highest price at retail.

Paul
 
I agree with the above.... especially if you are dying and tooling. If you are going for rustic user sheaths, perhaps bellies would work... but i would definately be giving them a full wax bath to seal and stiffen them up... they are too flexible for sheathing, otherwise.

Rick
 
I'd like to add my general agreement to Paul's statement. I'm discovering that, particularly now that I'm buying larger orders of leather, that in the long run, the best quality product will have more usable area than the cheaper stuff. In the end, taking all the waste into account, the expensive stuff ends up being cheaper. Not to mention, much better looking.
 
Bummer.

That's 4 thumbs down. That's OK, I don't want to get in too deep with bad leather. I'll be able to make use of them for things.

Do you all feel the same about shoulders?
 
HoosierQ said:
Bummer.

That's 4 thumbs down. That's OK, I don't want to get in too deep with bad leather. I'll be able to make use of them for things.

Do you all feel the same about shoulders?
Click to expand...

I think that bellies would work good for bags or garments, but not sheaths. Tried using some belly leather off some Saddle Skirting for a sheath and it didn't turn out so well. Not making that mistake again.

Shoulders are great for sheaths, thats mostly what I've used. These days I've been buying Saddle Skirting and Pre-dyed Saddle Skirting from Wickett & Craig. I like using Double shoulders from Tandy but the pre-dyed Skirting is just plain sweet! It's especially nice that I don't have to color the leather, cut, glue and sew. Makes working the leather so much easier.

Heber
 
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