Post pics of holsters you have made.

[bamabiker]

For a while I used Preval sprayers to spray Fiebings leather dye on my holsters. Now I keep enough dye on hand that I pour it into a tub and submerge the leather into the dye. That's what I did with the 2 holsters above.
I've recently been trying Tandy's EcoFlo professional water stain and so far have liked the results. I apply it with a sponge.
I used medium brown EcoFlo on this next holster. A light coat was used to get the color of the floral design and then 2 more coats were used on the body of the holster. The background has Fiebings medium brown applied with a small paint brush.

This 1911 holster has dark brown EcoFlo on it.

Keep at it and try different things on scrap pieces until you get something you like.
To all the leatherworkers out there, post some pictures, I love seeing other's work.

 

[ivankerley]

I'm using 7-9 oz vegetable tanned cow hide. For dye I have used Fiebing's and Tandy. Tandy dye seemed to cover more evenly with less blotching/streaking than the Fiebing's.

ive never had much streaking with the water based tandy stuff, im using it up then ill try fiebings... are ya keeping the leather clean and free from oil and grease etc? also how many coats of dye? ive had to do a couple coats in some cases
Gene

 

[aarondhgraham]

Hello D T Guy,,,

Can plastic play?

Sure you can play,,,
Just be prepared for some kidding about "soul-less" materials.

There is a place for Kydex holsters,,,
It's hard to beat them for pure functionality.

But they are something I could never take pride of ownership with.

Dang difficult to tool Kydex.

There's something about dead cow that seem right,,,
Perhaps it's just tradition that gives it that feel,,,
Then again, I feel the same way about nylon.

There is someone on a different forum who makes lovely nylon rigs,,,
The beauty comes from meticulous workmanship,,,
And very intricate machine embroidery.

I believe he uses Kydex to line parts of his nylon rigs,,,
But all in all I will always prefer traditional leather.

Aarond

.

 

[doubleh]

Here is some of my work from '08. First is a holster using Al Stholman's 1911 pattern. I added just enough material to allow for the lining. Contains my Series 70 Colt Gold Cup.



Next up is a three screw single six with a set of refinished rosewood grips from another Ruger. Holster is lined. Not a great picture.



And last is one containing a Taurus Guacho with grips I made from some very old nicely grained walnut. It also fits my super BlackHawk that has grips made from the same piece of walnut. It is also lined.

 

[bamabiker]

doubleh, thanks for showing those. They are outstanding.

 

[JTQ]

aarondhgraham wrote,
Dang difficult to tool Kydex.

It can be done, though.

I'm not the maker, but I have had the opportunity to try a Garret kydex holster with checkering on the body. It is very well done.

Here is basket weave http://www.giholsters.com/basketweave-engraving-holsters/

On the home page he has, spiderweb, swirl, and basket weave shown on the demo. http://www.giholsters.com

 

[aarondhgraham]

Hello JTQ,,,

Dang difficult to tool Kydex.

It can be done, though.

As soon as I say that water is wet,,,
Someone shows me a block of dry ice.

Now you know that wasn't hand tooled,,,
But even though it was pressed it looks "not bad".

The last few posts have shown some truly fine floral carving examples,,,
I think I was that good at one time but my 62-year old eyes just can't see that well anymore.

Now I mainly stick to silhouette carving and geometric patterns,,,
At one time I tried figure carving and wasn't bad,,,
But no one ever said I was good either.

This is one I made for a female cop in Riverside, CA,,,
Her co-workers commissioned it when she passed probation.




She was a tiny little thing,,,
Just a fraction of an inch tall enough to enter the academy,,,
And she had that squeaky little valley girl voice to go with her valley girl good looks.

This holster became her "barbeque gun" rig,,,
I was surprised when she actually started wearing it of duty.

Aarond

.

 

[JTQ]

deleted

 

[bamabiker]

Hey Aarond, that is really pretty cool and very good. I've never tried anything like that and don't think I'd be very good at it if I did.

 

[aarondhgraham]

Hello Bamabiker,,,

I made that holster back in 1996,,,
When I still had sharp eyes.

I had studied the Al Stohlman book, Figure Carving Finesse,,,
At that time I was managing a small Tandy Leather store in Riverside, CA.

I had a lot of time and near unlimited resources,,,
Perfect job for an aspiring leather-smith.

If you start with a good pattern drawing,,,
It's really not any more difficult than floral carving.

You're gonna laugh but comic books are great figure pattern sources,,,
That particular one came from a Cherry Poptart comic book,,,
They seem to have just the right amount of detail,,,
But not so much as to be impossible to tool in.

Dang but I miss my good vision.

Aarond

P.S. I hope you don't mind but I'm going to copy the design of the revolver holster you posted,,,
Not the floral pattern but the physical look of the modified pancake,,,
That is one very fine rig you made.

I need to make a gift holster for an H&R Sidekick revolver,,,
I think one like yours would be perfect for my friend.

.

 

[bamabiker]

Help yourself and I'm glad you like it.
I love the comic book idea and need to remember that in case I ever try some human figures.
I know what you mean about your vision. Just in the last couple of years I've had to start using glasses and find myself reaching for them more and more. Aggravating!

 

[Chas.]

My first holster/belt - it was a bit ambitious. Holster is for a BFR .45-70 10-inch. Problem is, whenever the rig is fully loaded, you can't keep your pants up. BTW rifle is Marlin .45-70 Cowboy.

 

[doubleh]

Nice looking rig. Make an over the left shoulder belt to fasten on each side of the holster so you can keep your britches on.

 

[jon_in_wv]

Wow, I almost passed this thread over as another crappy home made holster thread but you guys have some real skills. Good work!

 

[aarondhgraham]

Hello jon in wv,,,

Yep, some of these old boys have serious skills,,,
I would be proud to wear anything that has been posted so far.

Man, you should have seen some of the crap I was proud of when I first started.

At one time I searched out some of my earliest efforts,,,
And offered a free replacement for them,,,
Just to get them out of sight.

But I encourage everyone to show their work,,,
Perhaps those with skills can help mentor a beginner.

Twenty years ago there was this young lady who came into my Tandy store,,,
She had inherited a nice Colt SAA and wanted to make a rig for it.

She bought the generic holster kit and the basic tools,,,
And turned out a rig that I wouldn't be caught dead wearing.

She was so very proud of it though,,,
long story short she kept at it,,,
And became extremely good.

Before I left California she was making cowboy rigs to sell at SASS events,,,
She always kept that first horrible holster hanging in her booth,,,
I haven't seen he or her work in way over 17 years now,,,
But I'll bet she still displays that first effort.

Aarond

.

 

[aarondhgraham]

Hello chaz.

Sorry I misspelled your name,,,
I tried to go back and correct it,,,
But wasn't able to edit the title line.

doubleh might have the solution,,,
You might consider turning your belt into a Sam Brown belt.

I've also seen belts for heavy guns that have two crossover straps,,,
As well as some that have leather suspenders that are integral to the belt.

My other idea would be to retain the cartridge belt,,,
And then make a shoulder holster for the gun.

I must say though,,,
You did a nice job building that rig.

Very clean work indeed.

Aarond

.

 

[aarondhgraham]

Here's one I made for an H&R rimfire revolver,,,

Here's one I made for an H&R rimfire revolver,,,
It's not the H&R in the picture though,,,
That's a plastic cap pistol.



Unless a customer absolutely insists and will pay extra,,,
I never sew or weave .22 cartridge loops,,,
A small pouch is sufficient for them.

In this case I used the Tandy Cap & Ball pouch pattern,,,
Sometime I'll make the gusset a bit wider,,,
But it's near perfect as it is.

Aarond

.

 

[CraigC]

I like that! I agree that .22 loops aren't worth the trouble or expense. I use a traditional cap pouch for loose .22's in the field. For range use, I made a leather box that holds a 550rd bulk pack and has two heavy belt clips.

 

[DNS]

Doubleh, the 70 holsters beautiful!

My last holster looked like I must of rode the short bus to school. The dog enjoyed the heck out of it though.

 

[doubleh]

Thanks for the kind words, DNS. I haven't made another holster since those. I quit doing paid leather work years ago but still make something for myself once in a while.

 

[rayban]

Just did these for a customer...wanted the mag pouch to not look like a mag pouch...not sure why, the gun holster still looks like a gun holster...heh, I just do what I'm told.

 

[mikebravo]

I have a fever... and the only cure is MORE PLASTIC!

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

Do you gents all own leather capable sewing machines?

 

[bamabiker]

All my stitching is done by hand.

 

[ivankerley]

All my stitching is done by hand.

me too, all hand stitched!
Gene