ltwguns.com

Here are a few pictures that Alex of Nossar Gunleather asked me to share with all of you. The following is a belt based on the design of the old “Bowen knife belt”. The knife buckle has been reshaped to prefect its blending in with the belt. This belt is also a function gun belt, yet with a touch of class. The belt was crafted from elephant hide supplied by a good friend and his trusty 357 H&H after one of his African safaris. It has been finished with 100% natural oil. Alex finds this to be the best way to preserve the beauty of this rare yet extremely durable skin. The matching holster and mag pouch are still in the works. You will get pictures of them as soon as they are ready. I hope that you enjoy!






(See more of his work at http://www.nossargunleather.com)

Very nicely done!
And yes, elephant is incredibly durable.

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http://www.garritysgunleather.com
"He who works with his hands is a labourer, he who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman, he who works with his hands, his head, and his heart is an artist."
(St Francis of Assisi)

Alex does awesome work - if we could only teach him how to post pictures we could see more of it!

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I will never forget you Lou......February 21, 2009

John Ralston
5 SHOT LEATHER, LLC - Finely Crafted Custom Handgun Leather

http://www.5ShotLeather.com

This is a similar belt with an IWB sheath for a Tanto knife. The base leather is elephant skin finished in mahogany. It is highlighted with horse hide finished in light Havana brown. The knife buckle has been reshaped and flame colored.

Thanks guys.

Mark. well I just found this. it is the second oportunity i had to work with the elephant skin but this time had work extensibly and found it to be extremely strong, i had use layers thinner than 0.8 mm and it show to be one of the strongest.

Hey John, how´s that saying, kinda like is harder to lear new trick for an old dog
but this time got some help.
Thanks to NYC Medic.
Alex.

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Alex NossaR
www.nossargunleather.com

Nice stuff Alex! That cordovan billet looks especially cool.

I just can't wait for it to be pictures of my new holster and mag carrier!

Hey Alex, Beautiful stuff! I love the belts, and the sheath for the Tanto.
Lou

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Alessi Holsters, Inc.
You'll never know it's there, until you need it...

Lou, Matt... thanks, glad you like it

Will try to get some extra pics of that tanto sheath before I send it.
Alex.

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Alex NossaR
www.nossargunleather.com

A few more pictures.



http://www.nossargunleather.com/
NOSSAR GUNLEATHER

Wow! Beautiful, simply beautiful Alex. You have such great talent my friend

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"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

Very well thought out. A beautifully clean design, and execution.
Lou

_________________
Alessi Holsters, Inc.
You'll never know it's there, until you need it...

Man oh man. The stuff a guy can miss if he's not dilligent.

Alex, you've been holding out on me! You know how I love your stuff but this is to a whole 'nother level, Dios mio!

The owner of the Tanto IWB is very.... I mean is going to very..... happy!

That's pure artwork! I use to have some elephant Tony Lamas, but I think elephant is not allowed anymore is it?

This was a private owned skin right? Can elephant be purchased by you leather guys on the open market still?

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-Jim Linch

Elephant leather is readily available through many suppliers in the US. Throughout a great deal of Africa they can still be hunted (and are).

Ivory is the only part that I know of that can't be imported. That is probably due to the fact that they are poached for the Ivory, but the hides only come from legaly obtained animals.

John

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I will never forget you Lou......February 21, 2009

John Ralston
5 SHOT LEATHER, LLC - Finely Crafted Custom Handgun Leather

http://www.5ShotLeather.com

oregonshooter,
Elephant leather actually only became somewhat "readily" available thru exotic hides dealers about 4-5 years ago. Prior to that a hide obtained thru a legal hunt was the only way to get it, as you stated. During this time, African cape buffalo (water buffalo) was often substituted for elephant in the exotic boot industry. Now you can't even find cape buffalo from any of the exotic hide dealers, simply because no-one wants it now that elephant is available again. The availabilty of elephant may stay as is, or dwindle again as it did before, dependent upon many factors; and the wholesale price of hides does flucuate greatly, more-so than any other exotic.

_________________
http://www.garritysgunleather.com
"He who works with his hands is a labourer, he who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman, he who works with his hands, his head, and his heart is an artist."
(St Francis of Assisi)

You mean I was wearing "cape hide!" They were nice boots either way.

Thanks for the information Mark!

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-Jim Linch

Jim,
No, probably not. I should re-phrase that. Cape Buffalo was offered as an alternative to elephant when it wasn't available, but I doubt anyone made boots or other items out of it and claimed it was elephant. It is rather distinct and different looking than elephant, but very durable too.

BTW, check your mail mid-week next week.

_________________
http://www.garritysgunleather.com
"He who works with his hands is a labourer, he who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman, he who works with his hands, his head, and his heart is an artist."
(St Francis of Assisi)

Woot! Is it next week yet?

Elephant held up really well. I was working in a fire assay lab at the time and walked on broken slag all day with them. The souls wore out way before the skin even looked scratched.

Back on topic though, how does that sheath retain the knife? Is there a piece of spring steel wrapped in the layers?

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-Jim Linch

Oregonshooter. sorry for my late replay.

(Back on topic though, how does that sheath retain the knife? Is there a piece of spring steel wrapped in the layers?

No. steel reiforcement in there, it would make it imposible to draw the nkife without deforming the leather around the retension tab, just two layers of leather wet molded which is flexible enough to work.
The main idea is that it would just retain the knife from falling out from upside down when you handle it but will not offer resistance at draw.
Sure a better retension system can be added but think this one is good for this particular desing.

Alex.

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Alex NossaR
www.nossargunleather.com

Thanks for the reply, do you think the leather would hold up to many draw-strokes or is this design for someone who does not practice them in the 100's?

I was just thinking about how leather can get "broken down" in one spot if moved back and forth in a hinge motion, or is there not enough movement on this flap to do that, ie. knife slides by without too much rocking back of the tap.

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-Jim Linch

That Tanto sheath was for me. I've been wearing it off and on, I'm not a big knife guy and don't tend to carry anything other than a small folder for utility (although these days I'm using a folder that is not really "small" ). Have not done tons of draws with it but there's no prob getting it out, yet it is completely secure when sheathed also thanks to it being IWB. I haven't gotten to where I can sheath it with speed and precision, and anyway, would not care to as I don't want to mar this thing of beauty. I really shimmers in sunlight!

Nice job, Alex.