Horsehide for folder sheaths?

[jacobconroy75]

Recently I received some quality horsehide holsters that I ordered at the beginning of the year. I really like them. It's thin, tough, and reminds me of "Kydex with character". It also made me realize that my favorite folding knife sheath is probably horsehide.

What do you all think about using horsehide for wet-formed folder sheaths (for belt carry)? Is there any reason why it seems to be rare? Perhaps not the best choice?

And, if there are any leatherworkers on the forum that work with horsehide (and have CRKs on hand for patterning)...who are you? I'll probably order a sheath or two from you.

Thanks.

 

[Danke42]

paging Horsewright

 

[Horsewright]

Recently I received some quality horsehide holsters that I ordered at the beginning of the year. I really like them. It's thin, tough, and reminds me of "Kydex with character". It also made me realize that my favorite folding knife sheath is probably horsehide.

What do you all think about using horsehide for wet-formed folder sheaths (for belt carry)? Is there any reason why it seems to be rare? Perhaps not the best choice?

And, if there are any leatherworkers on the forum that work with horsehide (and have CRKs on hand for patterning)...who are you? I'll probably order a sheath or two from you.

Thanks.

Welcome to Sheaths and Such!

Horsehide makes an excellent sheath or holster. We use it exclusively for our IWB holsters that my wife makes:

You mentioned that its a relatively thin dense leather. Horsehide has another characteristic to it that other leathers don't. Once it forms/molds to a shape it stops stretching. The reason that I don't use it for my sheaths, holsters, rifle scabbards, horse tack etc is simple, availability. Look down. The footwear industry buys the lions share of veg tan horsehide made. That tag on that pair of boots said genuine leather. Seldom does it say genuine cowhide cause most of the time its not, its horsehide. Generally what is left to the rest of us that aren't buying a truckload of pallets of leather is a piece of leather called a horsehide butt strip. They literally square off a side and we can get a piece of leather very odd in shape and very lacking in size. Even then availability is hit and miss. In stock, not in stock, in stock, not in stock, ya get the idea. Its also a piece of leather that varies in thickness throughout so often needs to be split before use to make strap goods . But its decent leather, however, it tools and dyes differently than cowhide. Here's what they look like:

We get ours from Maverick Leather. They are just scrap really with flaws and water damage not too uncommon. Cool for little projects but not for any size or volume.

 

[jacobconroy75]

Welcome to Sheaths and Such!

Horsehide makes an excellent sheath or holster. We use it exclusively for our IWB holsters that my wife makes:

You mentioned that its a relatively thin dense leather. Horsehide has another characteristic to it that other leathers don't. Once it forms/molds to a shape it stops stretching. The reason that I don't use it for my sheaths, holsters, rifle scabbards, horse tack etc is simple, availability. Look down. The footwear industry buys the lions share of veg tan horsehide made. That tag on that pair of boots said genuine leather. Seldom does it say genuine cowhide cause most of the time its not, its horsehide. Generally what is left to the rest of us that aren't buying a truckload of pallets of leather is a piece of leather called a horsehide butt strip. They literally square off a side and we can get a piece of leather very odd in shape and very lacking in size. Even then availability is hit and miss. In stock, not in stock, in stock, not in stock, ya get the idea. Its also a piece of leather that varies in thickness throughout so often needs to be split before use to make strap goods . But its decent leather, however, it tools and dyes differently than cowhide. Here's what they look like:

We get ours from Maverick Leather. They are just scrap really with flaws and water damage not too uncommon. Cool for little projects but not for any size or volume.

Thank you. That's a lot of background that I wasn't aware of and helps to explain why I don't see it in use often.

 

[Horsewright]

Ya bet! From a tack standpoint it makes a superior headstall for holding the bridle bit in the hoses mouth. Probably that no stretch thing. Edges finish nicely too.

 

[Horsewright]

Thank you. That's a lot of background that I wasn't aware of and helps to explain why I don't see it in use often.

Ya got pics of your horsehide items? Like to see em.

 

[jacobconroy75]

Ya got pics of your horsehide items? Like to see em.

Well sure!





I'm going to give pocket carry an honest try this winter. So far, this pocket holster is far superior to several cow leather ones that I've tried. It's much thinner and IMO, designed to hide the pistol in a better way than most. As to the cartridge pouch, I love that they molded it with a curve. It's much more comfortable than others I've tried...and thinner!

I picked up this sheath on this forum a decade ago. It was made to fit CRK Regulars, but happily also fits CRK Annuals & 31s. I'd like to have a similar one made without the CRK clip and as thin as possible. I'm not sure if it's horsehide, but it's the thinnest folder sheath I've seen and pretty much matches the Kramer stuff.

It would be nice to find someone that can produce such a sheath for CRKs and Hinderers and maybe flashlights. I'm on a mission this year to get knives and flashlights out of my pockets.

 

[Horsewright]

Well sure!

View attachment 2334995

View attachment 2334994

I'm going to give pocket carry an honest try this winter. So far, this pocket holster is far superior to several cow leather ones that I've tried. It's much thinner and IMO, designed to hide the pistol in a better way than most. As to the cartridge pouch, I love that they molded it with a curve. It's much more comfortable than others I've tried...and thinner!

I picked up this sheath on this forum a decade ago. It was made to fit CRK Regulars, but happily also fits CRK Annuals & 31s. I'd like to have a similar one made without the CRK clip and as thin as possible. I'm not sure if it's horsehide, but it's the thinnest folder sheath I've seen and pretty much matches the Kramer stuff.

It would be nice to find someone that can produce such a sheath for CRKs and Hinderers and maybe flashlights. I'm on a mission this year to get knives and flashlights out of my pockets.

Very nice I've heard good things about Kramer and I knew they used horsehide.