Welt material for hunting pouch

[phoenix511]

Would 5-6oz veg tanned for just the welting make a better, stronger pouch than the basic weight leather?

I've made several hunting pouches using the instructions in TC Albert's book. I'm making one now with veg tanned 3-4oz leather. Since the welt is mostly hidden, the thickness should not matter.
I"m making these inside-out, and turning them after a water soak so would a stiffer welt cause a problem?

On the other hand, would thinner leather made a more flexible pouch without compromising strength and durability?

 

[BrownBear]

I've always just used the same leather I'm using for the bag. Frankly never thought of trying other thicknesses. It's always worked for me, but maybe one of the true experts will chime in.

 

[rabjr]

:thumbsup: Never wasted any time thinkin about it, just used the same leather I was making the bag with. Only reason not to I see is someone wanting to fancy things up with a different weight/color.

 

[LaBonte]

if you want a bit heavier welt I would recommend using the same weight only turning it into piping rather than a flat welt.
Piping = take the same lighter weight leather and cut a strip 25 times wider and 2" longer than needed. Get some 1/8-3/16" thick jute cord or similar type cord such as welt cord from an upholstery or fabric store. Glue the cord along the exact middle of the strip. Fold the material in half with the cord making up the middel and glue together.
Here's a how-to for making cloth piping the procedure is similar as is the end product.... http://www.curbly.com/users/modhomeecteacher/posts/4100-simple-steps-to-make-welt-cord-piping
Voila you have some very nice looking piping which was used on higher end bags.

Due to the fact the piping is a bit thicker than the regular welt you will have to clip out some vees as you go along in order to work it around the curves.

 

[SpottedBull]

Never thought about using the piping in the welt. I will sometimes, when asked, just fold the veg tan in half and sew through the four layers. It doesn't look as full and round as it would with the piping included, but I like the overall look of it.

Otherwise I just use the same leather I made the bad from.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

I use about a 2oz weight for my piping.
It can also be used without the filler like spotted bull brought up.
I use it like that in lieu of a flat most of the time as it just looks more finished to me.

As far as thickness of welt adding strength, I dont see it as being an advantage.
As I have not used such a thick welt I can only guess but I doubt it would have an adverse effect on turning as the body front and back are actually what gets turned.

 

[tg]

I do not think the thickness of the welt would affect the strength of the bag the weakest link usually determines the strength of most anything, in this case it would be the leather in the body and stitching, as long as the welt is as thick as the main body leather it should not affect the strength of the bag overall I would think.