Questions about fake leather duty gear

RaiderCop · #1 05-12-08, 07:18 PM

My agency transitioned from black basket weave leather to nylon back in the early 1990s. We’ve used mostly K&W http://www.nylonwebgear.com which is pretty good stuff, but recently the PD has been buying Bianchi AccuMold http://www.bianchi-intl.com nylon and the stuff wears like crap.

Our Patrol Commander wants to buy all new gear and is leaning towards the laminated, leather looking nylon/plastic stuff that looks like black leather basket weave. Brands being considered are Bianchi AccuMold Elite http://www.bianchi-intl.com, Safariland Safari-Laminate http://www.safariland.com and Gould & Goodrich K-Force http://www.gouldusa.com. Our holsters will probably remain the Safariland 070.

My question is how does the stuff wear? Assuming it’s lighter than leather, what is its weight compared to nylon? Does anyone recommend it and why? Any brand we should absolutely stay away from? Any comments or experiences are welcome.

Personally, I’m old school and nothing beats leather, but I no longer wear a uniform and any change won’t effect me. I am the chief union steward and want to do what is right for the officers. This weekend, I’m going to check some out at a uniform shop.

**zpd307** · #2 05-23-08, 09:38 PM

the only thing i would wear is.... leather!!! i would miss the squeaks.

**jcsdscott** · #3 05-23-08, 09:57 PM

Actually I wear the Uncle Mike's Mirage version, and I highly recommend it. So far it has worn well over the past six months and is wholeheartedly lighter that any other belt I have worn. The appearance has remained professional looking and I have no complaints currently.

**countybear** · #4 05-23-08, 10:33 PM

http://www.officerresource.com/forum...ad.php?t=25677

**Five-0** · #5 05-23-08, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcsdscott

Actually I wear the Uncle Mike's Mirage version, and I highly recommend it. So far it has worn well over the past six months and is wholeheartedly lighter that any other belt I have worn. The appearance has remained professional looking and I have no complaints currently.

I concur with Uncle Mike's. Very light weight.

**CW Mock** · #6 05-23-08, 11:58 PM

I have used Bianchi AccuMold Elite before, and it was GREAT.

My biggest gripe was that the belt was very stiff. An Uncle Mike's Mirage belt was much more "leatherlike" in that respect. It flexes more like leather. The Bianchi stuff covered everything else we wore, and it was great. Very light, very tough, and easy to clean/decontaminate.

I am trying to get a equipment recommendation together for my current agency for Accumold Elite in clarino to phase out our current regular leather.

**armsmaster270** · #7 05-24-08, 12:39 AM

No help I always used all basketweave leather.

RaiderCop · #8 05-24-08, 04:19 PM

Thanks all.

I'm a leather guy too; don't care for the nylon look at all!

So far my inquiries around the Tacoma area are that Bianchi Accumold Elite sells more because of price. Most retailers say Safarilaminate is a superior product, but stiffer and heavier.

**ryan36002** · #9 05-24-08, 05:44 PM

I like the look of Bianchi but the belt I had used the plastic buckle; the belt folded back on itself at the front for size adjustment. It limits what you can carry on the front and their keepers won't wrap around the thickness of the belt x2. The buckle was a 3-button POS. Always came undone at the wrong time (ie: Hello, I pulled you over because...let me fasten my belt here).

I'm currently using a leather belt with Bianchi accessories. My cuff case is the most worn at 6 years old. The nylon stuff they use on the edges is peeling off. It is still functional and the missing bits are not noticable.

**jcsdscott** · #10 05-24-08, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan36002

I like the look of Bianchi but the belt I had used the plastic buckle; the belt folded back on itself at the front for size adjustment. It limits what you can carry on the front and their keepers won't wrap around the thickness of the belt x2. The buckle was a 3-button POS. Always came undone at the wrong time (ie: Hello, I pulled you over because...let me fasten my belt here).

I'm currently using a leather belt with Bianchi accessories. My cuff case is the most worn at 6 years old. The nylon stuff they use on the edges is peeling off. It is still functional and the missing bits are not noticable.

You can work around that by sliding gear on one side of the belt so that the item is near the buckle and then put the clips on after the item. I do this with my cuffs and mags.

**ryan36002** · #11 05-25-08, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcsdscott

You can work around that by sliding gear on one side of the belt so that the item is near the buckle and then put the clips on after the item. I do this with my cuffs and mags.

I did the same thing but I had to watch how much weight I put in the front. The belt keepers weren't big enough to go around the belt where it doubled back on itself. My pet peeve with cop uniforms is when the duty belt rides up and hooks itself on the under belt. It just looks ridiculous.

**keith720** · #12 05-25-08, 03:58 AM

I'm more of a fan of the traditional basketweave, also. I had an Uncle Mike's fake leather, but I, er, "Outgrew" it, so I'm back to traditional leather. I don't notice that much of a difference.

**jcsdscott** · #13 05-25-08, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan36002

I did the same thing but I had to watch how much weight I put in the front. The belt keepers weren't big enough to go around the belt where it doubled back on itself. My pet peeve with cop uniforms is when the duty belt rides up and hooks itself on the under belt. It just looks ridiculous.

I agree. I have a co-worker who suffers this uniform violation multiple times throughout a shift.

I see what you mean about the weight. I have my keepers spaced out at two in the back, one at the left front pocket and the other behind my holster. Due to the fit of the belt (or just me getting fatter) it doesn't dip down in the front too much.

**matt86** · #14 06-07-08, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcsdscott

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I agree. I have a co-worker who suffers this uniform violation multiple times throughout a shift.

I see what you mean about the weight. I have my keepers spaced out at two in the back, one at the left front pocket and the other behind my holster. Due to the fit of the belt (or just me getting fatter) it doesn't dip down in the front too much.

Thats my number one pet peeve. We have private police which work at a mental hospital in my jurisdiction and none of the officers working there ever wear belt keepers. It looks horrible and just irritates the hell out of me and I don't know why

**pgg** · #15 06-16-08, 10:21 PM

I would have to go with the Uncle Mikes also. I bought mine in 99 and it is still going with very little wear. My dept issued Bianchi accumold elite a couple years ago. Within months the "leather" was flaking off and wearing out. Within a year I was back with my Uncle Mikes duty gear. Phil