Making a Lined belt

[PAMuzzleshooter]

Ok folks,
When making a lined belt do you preferred rough out (flesh) on the liner on smooth out (grain)?

Which is more Period Correct?

I've seen rough out for liner so that it doesn't slip while wearing.  Any truth?

If you use rough out, how do you glue the belt and liner together?

If you rough up the grain side, what do you find to be the easiest way to do the whole belt, and how rough does it have to be?

Thanks for any info.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I personally don't like lined belts because they're too stiff. They do have advantages, though, and many do prefer them. Perhaps one of the forum members who make them will chime in with some useful information.

[Davem]

I always glue flesh side to flesh side as I think the bond is better.  As stated, a laminated belt can get awfully thick, more than needed.  The liner can also wrinkle if too thick.  The problem is, a single layer of leather is somethings too thin.  One solution is the bullet loops. If you use the in/out method it tends to stiffen the belt so you can get away with a single layer.  This in and out- there are two ways , a loop through one hole or snake the loop leather in and out each hole.  The spacing on the holes can be narrowed so you have the loops close together.
When I glue/laminate, I always run stitching around the edges of the belt.  I use barge cement from ACE hardware.

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[PAMuzzleshooter]

Thanks Will and Davem.

[PAMuzzleshooter]

Do you guys put oil or finish on the flesh side of the unlined belt?
I’ve seen/heard no finish, neatsfoot oil and TanKote,  GumTrag and burnish it till smooth then TanKote or BagKote and just Resolene?

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I burnish the back and edges with Gum Trag then treat front and back with Skidmore's. On a belt I want to stay put, I don't burnish the back but it still gets the edges slicked then a light coat or two of Skidmore's. I never use any of those lacquer-like finishes like Tankote or Bagkote.

[PAMuzzleshooter]

Thanks Will

[Marshal Will Wingam]

If you make a belt, we photo junkies would love to see it. 

[PAMuzzleshooter]

Will do.

[Cliff Fendley]

What do you mean when you say "period correct"? If you mean like in the real old west I've never had one and not sure if I've ever seen a documented 19th century belt that was lined. Either just single layer leather or or money belts if they are more than a single layer thickness.

[PAMuzzleshooter]

Cliff…yeah that’s what I mean.  I didn’t know if lined belts and holsters were lined or not during that period.  I didn’t think so, but wasn’t sure.  Thanks for your input.