cowhide vs horsehide

[IrishPirate]

is horsehide REALLY worth the extra $$$ for a CCW holster??? what are the benefits/drawbacks of each and which would you choose. The price of horsehide isn't what's keeping me from buying it, I'm just wondering if I'll be getting my money's worth or if i should just cowhide and not worry about it.

thanks

[Joe]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=434416&highlight=cowhide

horsehide is considered to be more dense than that of cowhide, and stiffer in a finished holster.

this difference in density is especially evident with the example of motorcycle chaps; the horse leather will protect from cold weather wind and injury from friction related accidents better than cowhide. however... horsehide is less flexible than cowhide. if you sit on the ground wearing horsehide chaps... it is difficult to get back up to a standing position. it takes much longer to "break in" the horsehide chaps, and they will never be as comfortable to walk in as chaps made of cowhide.

the horsehide is considered to be more sweat and water resistant than cowhide. i can assure you from my years of motorcycle riding in wet conditions that horsehide chaps are more water resistant than cowhide.

there are varying opinions regarding which leather is best to use for a holster, and different holster makers have different takes on the subject. some holster makers put a layer of horsehide on the part of the holster that may touch your skin (IWB) to protect the leather from body sweat, and cowhide on other parts of holster. some professionals that work with leather believe that extremely high quality cowhide is equal to horsehide in all respects.

i admire much of the work of the late old craftsmen; Lou Alessi, Milt Sparks, Bruce Nelson and others.

i have some wonderful pristine old leather gear made by the late Bruce Nelson... and imo that's as good as it gets. he was the guru of combat leather, and many agree that his work is the standard by which current leather holsters are measured by. my examples of his work are made of cowhide. he was a minimalist and he seemed to work magic with leather. it is my understanding that he personally made all his holsters and accessories, and examples of his work are difficult to find.

so... ultimately i believe the most important ingredient in the holster soup is who is cooking in the kitchen.

[IrishPirate]

would regular oiling with high quality leather oil make a difference? IE: make horsehide more flexible or make cowhide more durable? logic tells me yes, but experience with my logic tells me it's a good idea to ask....

[bsg]

would regular oiling with high quality leather oil make a difference? IE: make horsehide more flexible or make cowhide more durable? logic tells me yes, but experience with my logic tells me it's a good idea to ask....

i'd suggest you go to the Milt Sparks Holsters, Inc. site @ www.miltsparks.com for information; go to the "Questions" section on the left of page and pick #9.

it is not advisable to apply leather softening agents to a holster.

[IrishPirate]

i emailed a few manufacturers and the ones who responded have said high quality oil won't be bad, but not to over do it. Obviously you don't want it too soft. I'm just thinking more along the lines of keeping moisture and salts out to prevent it from cracking. Of course, most of the holsters i'm considering have lifetime warranties so I'm guessing that still wouldn't be much of an issue.