Bianchi Leather - What Happened?

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Vistula

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I recently picked up a Bianchi Cyclone 111 for my 686. It's been at least 15 years since I've bought a Bianchi, but I've always been happy with the quality. I recently looking for a new holster for my 686 and wanted one for cross draw and along came the Cyclone 111.

It gave me both strong side & cross draw options...perfect, until it showed up. Now the design was great, but what has happened to the quality? The suede lining felt like sandpaper. The finish looked like it was applied with a single stroke of a paint brush. The stitching was uneven or not straight and something that is not on my other Bianchi's.........Made in Mexico.

Needless to say, I was disappointed. For a production holster, they used to be a fantastic product.
 
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I have noted the same obvious decline in quality...actually crossing the line into "unacceptable" in my book. Yet another great American company a shell of its former greatness.
 
There isn't much, if anything, left of the Bianchi we knew and loved back in the seventies and early eighties. It still has the Bianchi name, but that's about it. I can't remember when, but I think Safariland bought out Bianchi years and years ago. Then again, Safariland is no longer the quality product it once was, seemingly concentrating more on LE and concealment type holsters now.

On the other hand, there is now Bianchi Frontier Gunleather. It's owned by John Bianchi and seems to offer really high quality goods, although I think the prices are a bit high. I like the looks of their work, but most of it is too expensive for me. With a couple of exceptions, it's priced higher than El Paso Saddlery stuff. Their offices are in California, but I don't know where their products are made.
 
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Bianchi certainly made good stuff years ago. The same thing has happened to Northerner boots. A quality product made in USA which was comfortable and lasted several years has been replaced by one made in China. The material is stiff and I got 6 months out of a pair for about $100. The price is the same but the quality is gone. How sad.
 
Geno44 said:
Bianchi certainly made good stuff years ago. The same thing has happened to Northerner boots. A quality product made in USA which was comfortable and lasted several years has been replaced by one made in China. The material is stiff and I got 6 months out of a pair for about $100. The price is the same but the quality is gone. How sad.
Click to expand...

Funny you mention boots, too. I don't have any Northerners, but I have a pair of Herman Survivors I bought in 1975 (!). And they were expensive then, too. I still have and wear them...they're sitting in the mud room right now with mud on them, waiting to be cleaned. They'll outlast me, I'm sure.

About Bianchi again...I'll buy original used Bianchis, then usually turn around and sell them for the same thing I paid for them...just so they won't lay around in a holster bin or molder away in someone's attic or garage. Sort of give them a second chance at life. I do the same thing with vintage Safariland holsters, too. I'm sort of sentimental about products I used a long time ago.

The originals were quality products...the new ones, not so much.
 
At least they aren't Chinese. I have a Bianchi ranger belt that I wear every day. It's about 5 years old and stamped as made in Mexico. Very nice thick quality leather. I've seen some of the imported holsters though and they just aren't up to snuff. Too bad. Mexico is capable of some very fine leatherwork, but it's all about the QC and that's gotta come from the company.
 
For many years now Safariland and Bianchi ( and a bunch of other brand name gun/ LE equipment companies have been owned by Armour Holdings Ltd . They are second only to ATK for owning shooting accesory companies that had famous names.

Bianchi Frontier Gunleather is John Bianchi's retirement hobby. Origional specialized in authentic historical western gear , but seems to be now including standard designs.
 
John Bianchi is a man with an amazing story. Started out as a young police officer making holsters on the kitchen table, then moved into mail order sales of his products, ending up running Bianchi International with sales of over 40 million products before he retired. At the same time he served as a reserve officer, retiring as a brigadier general. Truly a lifetime of accomplishment.

In addition to very good designs and excellent quality one thing that Bianchi really seems to have mastered was the marketing of his products. The overall emphasis was market penetration. Dealer "floor plans" provided large and small dealers across the country with a broad selection of products and effective display items with minimal initial investment and easy terms. This was coupled with national advertising that provided name brand recognition across a wide range of the buying public. Bianchi also went on long tours promoting his products with public events, and sponsored the Bianchi Cup competitions.

Bianchi International ended up being purchased by a large conglomerate, much as Safariland was as well. With the established brand name and dealer network working for them the next step was to revamp production, with much of the work moving across the border. Obvious changes in materials and production methods have resulted in familiar products with familiar names that many of us just don't recognize anymore.

Mr. Bianchi remains in California and appears to be active and in good health, from the occasional items I see in print or on-line. Bianchi Frontier Leather is located in Loveland, CO, producing the high-end custom western rigs the same old-fashioned way, and having few peers in that market.

Time goes on and things change. Still, a remarkable American success story.
 
LoboGunLeather said:
John Bianchi is a man with an amazing story...In addition to very good designs and excellent quality one thing that Bianchi really seems to have mastered was the marketing of his products.
Click to expand...

That's true...and I remember his marketing in the seventies very well. He loved to go unshaven for several days, then dress in pretty authentic western wear and pose with guns and holsters. He proved himself to be pretty much of a marketing genius. I used to have an original poster of his famous "Wild Bunch" photo...but it disappeared over the course of a move in the eighties. I see that now his Frontier Gunleather company is offering a reprint of it for sale.

There's a nice little article about him from 2010 in American Rifleman.
 
The older ones were good off the shelf leather.

The newer ones, not so much.

Nowadays, lots of folks want to go to the retail outlet , spend as little as possible and go home.

Folks have no idea of the difference in quality and longevity between the cheep off the counter stuff and the stuff that costs a lot more and involves waiting a while to acquire your leather.

I'm thankful that I bought the good stuff, back in the day when you had to wait and pay for the good stuff.
 
Midway had a sale on Bianchi Ranger belts and being a regular rocket scientist I figured how bad can you screw up a belt, even in Mexico and ordered one. Now I know, its way smaller than stated size, looks good but construction such as the keeper, aluminum rivet rather than stitched and the leather feels dry. Guess if I want a traditional old school belt I'll have to go to Bianchi Frontier Gunleather and get the real deal.
 
Purchased a new Bianchi Cyclone last year from "Cheaper than Dirt", was very disappointed for reasons previously stated and sent it back for refund. Since then have purchased several nos vintage Bianchi holsters off of eBay and am very pleased with quality/fitment.
 
Buddy of mine just purchased a new Bianchi holster today for his 1911 Commander size 45-from all places-Rural King!

Now I've owned/used several Bianchi and Safariland holsters and belts through the years, especially 70's & 80's. I was curious why the Bianchi holster package had Safariland on the back side, guess I know now.

Right on the holster is stamped Made in Mexico and I also was wondering when that happened? I learn something new every day.

Every time I visit a gun shop, I always look for the "used holster box" they all seem to have. I've picked up so many top name leather holsters for as little as $5 because everyone now wants the plastic/poly/kydex holsters for their new plastic/poly guns! I'll keep buying them used, as they are a better product (usually) than you can buy new!
 
I have a newer Cyclone holster for my M686, and the sealing glaze looks evenly applied. The suede liner isn't glove leather soft, but it doesn't feel like sandpaper either. For what I paid for it ($60), I'd say I got a good holster for the money. If I were you, I'd call up Safariland and see if you can get an exchange.

I also have their Pistol Pocket for my EDC. It too had no finish issues out of the packaging, is holding up fine, and the snaps are still strong and positive. I've been using almost daily for over two years.

ETA: Doesn't bother me in the least that both holsters are "Hecho en Mexico."
 
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There are many fine ones made here.
Lobo, Milt Sparks, Simply Rugged, and I think Galco is still made here

I recently picked up a Bianchi #12 J frame ankle rig which must be 30 years old. It still gets the job done.
 
Yea, Bianchi went to hell.

I had several Bianchi products obtained in 70's and 80's.

Many belts---nice leather etc.---but, my gut grew so I have to buy a new belt around late 90's. I was SO disappointed and mad. It looked and felt like cardboard and it had crappy stitching. Looked like a belt you'd buy at Target.

So sad---I still like their old stuff the best.

All good things come to an end I suppose.
 
Like many of you, I was a big fan of Bianchi in the late 70s and into the 80s. I still have all that I purchased back then. All are of excellent quality and workmanship. My favorite is my Riverbelt.

About a year ago I decided to give Bianchi another try. I bought a snap top holster for my 681. Quality was ok but not close to the older ones. My biggest gripe was the color. I ordered tan thinking it would be close to my other vintage stuff. Not so! It was bright orange. I had to buy some leather darkener to make it tolerable. Shoulda returned it. All of my future leather needs will come from Lobo and El Paso, unless I find something interesting in the used bin at the LGS.
 
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