Holster Questions

Sunray said:

"However, for a holster, all dying should be done before you sew it together.

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Why do you think that matters? If fact I can think of more benefits to dying after assembly than before.

The first couple holsters I ever made way back when were dyed before assembly. Now many hundreds later I have never dyed another one before assembly unless it specifically has to be two toned or something.

I used neatsfoot oil on my holsters several applications it looks great and keeps them soft and pliable!

Cowhide Cliff said:

Why do you think that matters? If fact I can think of more benefits to dying after assembly than before.

The first couple holsters I ever made way back when were dyed before assembly. Now many hundreds later I have never dyed another one before assembly unless it specifically has to be two toned or something.

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I usually dye and finish the inside while it's easier to get to and put an initial application on the outside. This keeps the dye from puddling around where the belt loop is stitched down. I finish applying color after it's been glued, stitched, molded and the mainseam has been sanded and beveled. If I dip-dyed, I'd just dip it at the end.

CraigC said:

I usually dye and finish the inside while it's easier to get to and put an initial application on the outside. This keeps the dye from puddling around where the belt loop is stitched down. I finish applying color after it's been glued, stitched, molded and the mainseam has been sanded and beveled. If I dip-dyed, I'd just dip it at the end.

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I put mine together and then dunk it in a tub of dye, walnut stain, or whatever I'm using. Gets everything covered and even.

John Bianci dunks his in a vat of neatsfoot oil. I have done that but felt like its a bit more oil than I want to put on one.

Me too, I oil in two or three lights coats with extra virgin olive oil.

Jmar I have not made any holsters for my single actions yet but I've done a couple for my modern semi auto guns. In each case I only wet the leather enough to fold over and then stiched the seams flat. The edges were all trimmed before or after stitching as required and convenient with an edge beveler. From the looks of your edges I'd suggest you don't have one of those. It's really nice for rounding and easing the edges that otherwise tend to fold over towards the face like I see some of yours are doing following the rubbing and stress of folding and pushing the holster through the bands. It's not too late by any means since you can still do this step prior to staining and finishing with wax with very little trouble. But do it first, not later.

Edge burnshing after staining and getting some good wax on the leather really hardens the edges and aids in avoiding them rolling over and becoming rather softer than you wish. There are edge burnishers that are flat and rounded and you use the one that suits based on if you bevelled the edges or not.

The reason why a lot of the time the stitching does not look stained is because belts and holsters are typically stitched with artificial sinew which is a waxed cord. The wax stops the cord from absorbing the stains.

Check You Tube for videos on edge beveling and edge burnishing. I'm very much a beginner as well but I've found a lot of great videos are on YT that relate to leather working.

And I suspect it's normal for most of us to be our own worst critics. But from one relative newbie to another I'd say that it looks darn nice. It just needs these little finishing touches.

I'd let them age naturally but if you want an unusual dye, boil onion skins(a lot). It make a nice reddish dye.

Sounds like that very soft leather you have is chrome tanned. Not something you want to use for a holster.

That is vegetable tanned leather you want for making holsters.

jmar, you asked about a Walker holster a while back. Here is my copy of the one in the Wittliff collections that Robert Duvall wore in Lonesome Dove.

I was commissioned to make one for a Walker and 1860 Army along with the knife and sheath like Gus wore in Lonesome Dove. I wound up making myself one also but have since sold it. I'm planning to make myself a new Gus rig when I find the time to treat myself to some new leather.

jmar said:

Very nice, beautiful colors! How would a holster like that be held onto a belt, does it have just a belt loop sewn on the back? I'm only used the the flap style and i'm worried about durability with my heavy walker. Also i did some research and i do believe i have chrome tanned leather. From what i understand it has no tannin in it so it can't have the chemical reaction with the Vinegaroon. Maybe it's time for me to try the walnut method. I wasn't planning on making a hostler from it, just a musket ball pouch, i got my leather for free so now i know to only buy vegetable tanned stuff. Thanks for the clarification!

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Yes the belt loop is riveted and sewn on the back. That is how most slim jim style holsters of that period were done.

It took me a bit to get the coloring right. I looked at photos of the original movie holster and watched the movie and tried to match the shading.

You can take a small scrap piece of the leather and burn it, chrome tanned ashes will turn green.