Why Basketweave Pattern For Police Uniform Holsters???
- Thread starter taco
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ReserveCop
New member
I believe it is for "look" purposes only (i.e. it just looks good).
Some agencies use different, non-basketweave, designs (for example: plain, high-gloss and even Nylon).
I'm not aware of any functional value of the "basketweave" design.
I still have my same "basketweave" duty belt issued to me 10+ years ago. I still wear it and it looks great.
Thanks.
[Edited by ReserveCop on 02-20-2001 at 01:09 AM]
Some agencies use different, non-basketweave, designs (for example: plain, high-gloss and even Nylon).
I'm not aware of any functional value of the "basketweave" design.
I still have my same "basketweave" duty belt issued to me 10+ years ago. I still wear it and it looks great.
Thanks.
[Edited by ReserveCop on 02-20-2001 at 01:09 AM]
ReserveCop
New member
Jim...
What's the ego trip involved here?
Perhaps I'm missing something.
Also, as far as I know, most agencies issue the duty belt to their LEO's. In other words, the LEO's have NO choice in the design whatsoever, whether it's basketweave or not.
Thanks for your opinions.
What's the ego trip involved here?
Perhaps I'm missing something.
Also, as far as I know, most agencies issue the duty belt to their LEO's. In other words, the LEO's have NO choice in the design whatsoever, whether it's basketweave or not.
Thanks for your opinions.
Ego trip? For basketweave?
Bloody hell, you don't want to see my Sunday gear, then.
The high-gloss leather, and for that matter the plain leather, take a nasty beating in normal day-to-day activity. The rubbing of the seatbelt buckle, keys, flashlight head, baton, banging into walls and doorframes, leaning against cinderblock, hitting fast-food table tops -- all of these quickly scratch unembossed leather pretty badly.
Basketweave gives a professional look, that hides day-to-day damage better than the plain stuff.
LawDog
Bloody hell, you don't want to see my Sunday gear, then.
The high-gloss leather, and for that matter the plain leather, take a nasty beating in normal day-to-day activity. The rubbing of the seatbelt buckle, keys, flashlight head, baton, banging into walls and doorframes, leaning against cinderblock, hitting fast-food table tops -- all of these quickly scratch unembossed leather pretty badly.
Basketweave gives a professional look, that hides day-to-day damage better than the plain stuff.
LawDog
Gotta agree with Reserve Cop on this one. The majority of the agencies, at least around here, issue each LEO their duty belt. I have to agree it's because it looks good. We are issued the "high gloss" duty belts and I hate them. Granted they do look great but one good scuffle and it's scratched up as can be. If I had my choice it would be an Uncle Mike's nylon duty rig. Don't have an ego trip at all when it comes to that Sam Browne. How funny....ego trip!!!!!!! Well, anything is possible maybe some officers do get an ego trip over the basketweave. But, for sure, not anyone I work with.
ReserveCop
New member
a side note...
I recently attended a large LE convention with about 100+ vendors.
I would say the trend in LE duty gear is Nylon that looks like leather (featuring the basketweave "ego trip" design in most cases).
I believe many LEO's want to go to Nylon (light weight, etc.), but most agencies want a more "formal" look for their patrol LEO's (however, most tactical and specialty units...Marine, K-9, Aviation, etc...already use Nylon duty gear).
Therefore many firms are starting to offer their Nylon in a more leather-like look.
Just my 2 cents.
I recently attended a large LE convention with about 100+ vendors.
I would say the trend in LE duty gear is Nylon that looks like leather (featuring the basketweave "ego trip" design in most cases).
I believe many LEO's want to go to Nylon (light weight, etc.), but most agencies want a more "formal" look for their patrol LEO's (however, most tactical and specialty units...Marine, K-9, Aviation, etc...already use Nylon duty gear).
Therefore many firms are starting to offer their Nylon in a more leather-like look.
Just my 2 cents.
tradition
Most agencies I know of have had black basketweave gear for years. It began when agencies dropped the cross draw holster which was worn with the below the waist length uniform jacket (you're old if you remember those jackets) and no gun was visible. The uniform shirt came in around the '60s (just like Barney Fife) and an external holster was carried, making the gun visible. At this point, many agencies specified black basketweave (abbreviated BBW) for their officers. Thus, it was what the agencies permitted and not the individual discretion of the officer. Modernly, some agencies allow for nylon gear. This is lighter, doesn't squeak (betraying ones' presence in the dark), is lower maintenance, and best of all, is lighter.
Me, I still have a BBW belt and gear, some old, some new. My trouser belt is the same one I've worn since 1983 and was black at the buckle, but has been worn to its natural color - a true sign of a crusty veteran.
BTW, closing this thread in Handguns and moving it to Gears and Accessories.
[Edited by 4V50 Gary on 02-20-2001 at 11:43 AM]
Most agencies I know of have had black basketweave gear for years. It began when agencies dropped the cross draw holster which was worn with the below the waist length uniform jacket (you're old if you remember those jackets) and no gun was visible. The uniform shirt came in around the '60s (just like Barney Fife) and an external holster was carried, making the gun visible. At this point, many agencies specified black basketweave (abbreviated BBW) for their officers. Thus, it was what the agencies permitted and not the individual discretion of the officer. Modernly, some agencies allow for nylon gear. This is lighter, doesn't squeak (betraying ones' presence in the dark), is lower maintenance, and best of all, is lighter.
Me, I still have a BBW belt and gear, some old, some new. My trouser belt is the same one I've worn since 1983 and was black at the buckle, but has been worn to its natural color - a true sign of a crusty veteran.
BTW, closing this thread in Handguns and moving it to Gears and Accessories.
[Edited by 4V50 Gary on 02-20-2001 at 11:43 AM]
WalterGAII
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