This may be a rookie ? but why are certain holsters called pancake holsters?
Jim

Make a good-size pancake and put a gun behind it.
You might put a belt around both gun and pancake.

Then take a look at a photo of a "pancake" holster.
All will become clear. :>)

But hold the syrup.

Google Roy's Original Pancake holster.

The term "sandwich" would probably be more appropriate since two pieces of leather are glued / stitched together with a pocket formed to fit the particular sidearm. Slots are cut on each side of the pocket for the belt to pass through.

MB

Ever hear the expression" AS FLAT AS A PANCAKE". That's why they are called that - flatness.

The pancake holster design is generally credited to Roy Baker, 1960's. The originals featured generally rounded shapes, very distinctive when compared to anything previously available, and had minimal form-fitting resulting in a generally flattened appearance.

Just about every holster maker has since offered some variation on the theme and a great deal of variety is now available. It is probably more accurate now to refer to these as being of pancake-style construction; i.e.: an inner panel and outer panel joined together to form a holster pocket with belt attachment points on either side of the handgun.

It's a way to conceal carry in a stable and secure fashion. The smooth contour helps to prevent a cover garment from catching and aids in concealment. Also, it pulls the gun close to the side and spreads the weight of the firearm over a larger area.
I carried in an avenger style holster until I had someone ask me to make a pancake style for them. I tried it and just had to make one for myself.

Why a pancake? I need to get a picture of the leather when it's just 2 flat layers before forming. Looks pretty much like a leather pancake.

__________________
Keep on Chooglin'

They're better than bulky waffle holsters.

Funny that you mentioned that. About 43 years ago when I first started making holsters for other people we used to talk about the difference between a pancake holster and a waffle holster. The "waffle" had basketweave tooling!