Just my opinion, but I happen to like basketweave pattern on leather that isn't heavily boned. Have made several holsters for myself and have stamped all of them with basketweave. YMMV

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

 

You're right, doesn't show scratches as readily as other finishes. 'course that was before nylon gained so much usage. Handstamped is a work of art; some are "roll" stamped under a "drum" and don't look so hot.

My first issued belt was roll stamped and was only lined where the holster went.

Bandit

 

Take two identical leather belts, one basketweave and one plain. The basketweave will be slightly stiffer. When carrying a belt full of relatively heavy stuff, that stiffness becomes important. Everything else was patterned to match the belts.

 

The pattern of basketweave hides scratches and blemishes (which you'll pick up on a regular basis while working) better than plan leather.

 

I personally like the look of basket weave. I was an LEO for 16 yrs and my dept wouldn't buy basket weave. Maybe I'm still "old school", but I think it looks classy and elegant, more "respectable" in my opinion. Tracy

 

Rather than ask "Why basketweave?", one should ask "Why patent (high-gloss) leather?:barf:"

My agency allows both basketweave leather and nylon on class Bs. You just can't intermingle pieces.

 

Because Clarino (hi glosss) is for wimps and management:biglaugh:

The best reason I have seen is that it does hide scuffs and scrapes.

OR

Thats what we have always issued
(take your choice):biglaugh:

 

The next time you drive through Texas, just remember that all of those Texas Highway Patrol Troopers wear Clarino leather gear. I doubt you'll find too many wimpy THP Troopers! Mine held up real well. It lasted 7 years without needing to be replaced.

 

I think basketweave leather looks sharp, profesional, and of course is more traditional. I would just guess at some point somebody thought it looked good and it has just stuck around. On the other hand, having worn nylon at one time, I think it looks cheap and gets ratty and drity looking over time. Leather seems to age nicely. Just my opinion. To each his own.

 

My dad used to hand make some belts and holsters for the MS Highway Patrol back in the day. He handstamped the basketweave and they did look good.

I guess besides the scratch thing, it's traditional.

We use plain leather in my department. That's all that is allowed.

 

Our local leather shop made a batch of Glock holsters for officers who move in and out of court often. They can be removed easily without un-buckling the belt and some were basket weave and some not. The embossed basket weave holsters are stiffened and made stronger by the embossing. They look better longer and I like them.

 

As folks have said the prevalence of basket weave is due to it's scratch resistant qualities on belts, holsters and gear. They look better over longer periods of time. (The same is also true of carved leather as well, floral carving, emblems, etc.)The look has become classic.

The high gloss Clarino or patent leather also resists scratching quite a bit and can be re-polished to a high gloss covering scratches. Doesn't hide the scratches as well as basketweave but it does it better than plain. It also adds a bit of water resistence as well. This type started in the military as dress gear and you still see it on military and law enforcement personel in full dress.

tipoc

 

Well traditionally (originally) there was the smooth leather, with the drop breakfront holsters or the Border Patrol style...but that did get scratched fairly easily...basketweave hid scratches well and looked good (and did provide some rigidity on the better quality versions) Having worn all three (3" clarino duty belt with cross draw revolver holsters originally - those would last about a year or so before the salt water would cause the clarino finish to crack, no matter how much you treated them!)

My current agency utilizes nylon duty gear now...sign of the times I guess...but I miss leather!

 

In discussions like this, I am glad I am able to wear nylon:rock:

 

As far as I know the Florida Highway Patrol still uses the 3" clarino too...and I wouldn't call them wimps either (at least not while they had me pulled over! :biglaugh

 

Before I got into k-9 about 2 years ago, all I wore was clarino. Nothing looks better than someone half way in shape and a well put together uniform and clarino rig. Again, we know what opinions are like...:biglaugh:

 

My agency uses basketweave and so does another large agency in the county. I wasn't to thrilled with it at first. Now that I have a few years on with them (10) I like the look. Not flashy like patent but holds up better than plain leather. It a traditional look and I like it.