Custom

[stolz]

im going to start some leather working probly in the next few weeks for making holsters and other items just for paintball. My question what kind of grade leather should I use? What kind of tools will I need? Also can rivets be used on leather? im going to try that because sewing in my mind is just too much work.

[chplnstone]

here's a few places to look/people to ask (other than jaan, of course):
Leather Holsters and Pouches F/S/T
Custom handmade leather holsters

[The Weltman]

If you are inspired for leather you should have asked me last weekend about it when we were shooting at each other.

[usagi_tetsu]

Tandy Leather Factory will have almost everything you need, including the leather itself. If there's a Tandy Leather near you, they can even help you out with some instruction books or might even be willing to teach you for a fee. My local guys in KC are very friendly and helpful. If you're not near a Tandy Leather, look up your local Society for Creative Anachronism group, as you'll be able to find a lot of leather workers there.

And yes, you can rivet leather. The very little amount of stress you'll be putting on a holster would only require rapid rivets, and nothing as heavy duty as steel rivets or copper belt rivets. Fairly inexpensive and easy to work with.

[Walking_Target]

yeah, but speed rivets look like crap if you use a whole bunch of them. You're best off to use such rivets as reinforcement for stress points and saddle stitch the rest .

[stolz]

thanks for the links, im not to worried about the leather looking like crap i have the intention of putting something over it anyways.

[russc]

What kind of leather is preferable for holsters, belts, straps, slings and the like?

[Walking_Target]

that all depends... what are you using it for?

[russc]

...paintball!

I'd rather have a durable piece than a show piece.

[chplnstone]

i'd suggest either starting off with oiled leather or wax the product after completion if you're going to use it in play, otherwise it'll just wick in the paint fill...