Pancake Holsters. Pass The Syrup.

nemesis · September 27, 2002, 09:16 PM

What is it exactly that defines a "pancake" holster?

Walosi · September 27, 2002, 09:40 PM

Basically, belt slots fore and aft. The originals, by Roy Baker ("The Pancake Maker") of Arkansas, were two layers, the lower portion of which were almost circular. They had three slots, one above the other on the topstrap side of the gun, for either strongside or crossdraw. Roys' were a soft leather, not fancy, but serviceable for their time. The design has advanced to hard-molded rigs like Alessis' Belt Slide or Kramers' Belt Scabbard. The pancake is my favorite strongside OWB for revolver or auto - very stable on the right belt, and tucked in tight and hideable with the proper cant and slot placement. These last two items define the better rigs. The two mentioned are my best, with a nod going to Alessi (about two degrees more cant - large difference in concealment and comfort). Dillons' Master is another that benefits from some good input in this area.

nemesis · September 27, 2002, 10:08 PM

A good explanation but I would like to take this further.

Some belt slot holsters are molded to the gun on both sides and some holsters are molded on the outside (exposed) but are essentially a piece of flat leather on the hidden (body) side.

How do we differentiate between these?

Dfariswheel · September 27, 2002, 10:53 PM

Standard holsters are made of a piece of leather wrapped around the gun and stitched on a seam, usually below the trigger guard.
Many of these have belt slots front and back, but these are stitched on the back of the holster

The classic pancake is made of two pieces of flat leather....a front and a back, stitched down the top of the barrel and below the trigger guard. On the classic pancake, the belt slots are made from the body of the holster itself.

The pancake name came about brecause the two pieces of leather are "stacked" like pancakes.

It makes no difference which, if ANY side of the pancake is moulded to the gun, it's still a pancake. Molding has nothing to do with it, it's the FORM of the holster that determines it.

nemesis · September 28, 2002, 08:00 PM

I follow that and it makes sense.

How do we distinguish between holsters formed on both sides and holsters formed on one side and flat on the other?

Walosi · September 28, 2002, 10:51 PM

There is no change in terminology, as dfariswheel has already said. Differences in molding, cant, etc. are individual features of each maker. Other than that, just plain ol' eyeball.

September 27, 2002, 09:16 PM	#1
nemesis Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2002 Location: Texas, on the border Posts: 846	Pancake Holsters. Pass The Syrup. What is it exactly that defines a "pancake" holster?

September 27, 2002, 09:40 PM	#2
Walosi Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2001 Location: Auburn, KY Posts: 298	Basically, belt slots fore and aft. The originals, by Roy Baker ("The Pancake Maker") of Arkansas, were two layers, the lower portion of which were almost circular. They had three slots, one above the other on the topstrap side of the gun, for either strongside or crossdraw. Roys' were a soft leather, not fancy, but serviceable for their time. The design has advanced to hard-molded rigs like Alessis' Belt Slide or Kramers' Belt Scabbard. The pancake is my favorite strongside OWB for revolver or auto - very stable on the right belt, and tucked in tight and hideable with the proper cant and slot placement. These last two items define the better rigs. The two mentioned are my best, with a nod going to Alessi (about two degrees more cant - large difference in concealment and comfort). Dillons' Master is another that benefits from some good input in this area.

September 27, 2002, 10:08 PM	#3
nemesis Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2002 Location: Texas, on the border Posts: 846	A good explanation but I would like to take this further. Some belt slot holsters are molded to the gun on both sides and some holsters are molded on the outside (exposed) but are essentially a piece of flat leather on the hidden (body) side. How do we differentiate between these?

September 27, 2002, 10:53 PM	#4
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	Standard holsters are made of a piece of leather wrapped around the gun and stitched on a seam, usually below the trigger guard. Many of these have belt slots front and back, but these are stitched on the back of the holster The classic pancake is made of two pieces of flat leather....a front and a back, stitched down the top of the barrel and below the trigger guard. On the classic pancake, the belt slots are made from the body of the holster itself. The pancake name came about brecause the two pieces of leather are "stacked" like pancakes. It makes no difference which, if ANY side of the pancake is moulded to the gun, it's still a pancake. Molding has nothing to do with it, it's the FORM of the holster that determines it.

September 28, 2002, 08:00 PM	#5
nemesis Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2002 Location: Texas, on the border Posts: 846	I follow that and it makes sense. How do we distinguish between holsters formed on both sides and holsters formed on one side and flat on the other?

September 28, 2002, 10:51 PM	#6
Walosi Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2001 Location: Auburn, KY Posts: 298	There is no change in terminology, as dfariswheel has already said. Differences in molding, cant, etc. are individual features of each maker. Other than that, just plain ol' eyeball.