Question for holster makers

[ivankerley]

ive made quite a few knife sheaths over the last few years always with a welt, so whats the consensus on holsters welt or no welt? im in the pattern stages of a mexican loop holster for my Uberti 1860 army, will be my first holster so im not expecting perfection but any advice would be appreciated, ive read alot of tutorials and threads on THR not alot mentioned a welt, just planning and playing with cardstock at this moment
thanks
gene

 

[rcmodel]

I always use a tapered welt.

First to protect the stitching against stretching & wear.

Second, to widen the holster near the mouth so the trigger guard will fit in it without excess leather stretching and holster wear on the guns finish.

You will be hard pressed to find a high quality fitted & boned holster made without a welt.

rc

 

[CraigC]

Personal choice. Welts have advantages and virtually no disadvantages, except that they're a wee bit more work. It strengthens and stiffens the mainseam. Keeps the stitching from tearing out. I do a partial welt on all my Slim Jims and Mexican loops and a full welt on Threepersons holsters. I glue in the welt, then finish the inside, then glue the mainseam, then stitch it.

I do have Slim Jims and Mexican loop holsters from El Paso Saddlery and C.O.W.S. that do not have welts.

 

[ivankerley]

thanks guys!

ill probably do the welt, cant hurt and it makes sense in regards to stretching and protecting the stiching.
What do you guys use if anything to dye the rough side (inside, etc) as I may dye this holster black, dont want the contrast between the 2 sides
Looking forwward to working on this
Thanks so much
Gene

 

[CraigC]

I'm still working in the house so I use strictly water-based EcoFlo dyes. Their traditional dyes work very well but for black, I would use their professional water stain. It's one of few methods to do black that won't rub off. I always dye and finish the inside before gluing and stitching the mainseam.

 

[ivankerley]

craig c

thanks, i dye the insides of my knife sheaths with my eco flo dye, all i had so i used it didnt know if that was correct or not , just wondered what was correct for a holster, thanks for the water stain suggestion ill check it out
Gene