First Holster Completed

[weconway]

I just finished my first holster. It is for a .44 Special Ruger Blackhawk with a 5 1/2" barrel.

It is amazing that you can make a mistake nearly every step of the way and still come out with something to really be proud of! I started out with the info in my previous thread:

http://leatherworker...showtopic=35588

Some lessons learned:

1. My pattern has some issues. The flap to form the belt loop is off, and will need to be moved away from the fold when I redo the pattern. While I'm doing that, I think I'm going to drop the gun a 1/2" or so relative to the belt. Also, the bottom of the holster is a little tight. It needs more room

2. I jumped the gun and started to fold the holster early to see what it looked like. This prevented the raw piece from laying flat, which made a lot of subsequent steps harder.

3. Daubers hold a LOT of dye when soaked, and I got dye all over the back of the piece when it squeezed out.

4. I was going to go with a light dye, but since this was my first effort I used the worst section of my hide. I had to re-dye darker to cover the blemishes which popped out when the first pass went down.

5. I didn't dye the welt before gluing it in place, and thus had to dye the whole inside of the holster to match.

6. I cut the stitching grooves to early, and didn't get those right.

7. I drilled holes for stitching with a dremel, and I got the first half at the wrong angle and got them close to the edge on the back.

8. Wet forming went well, except for the tight spots near the muzzle. I had to redye some areas because of the stretch. Next time I'll cut a piece of dowel to fit between the front sight and frame, as the really tall front sight made a hump at the bottom of the holster.

9. Burnishing was a cinch with a piece of old blue jeans and some saddle soap.

I'm already starting on re-doing it! This is fun! Any input is greatly appreciated.

Edited August 5, 2012 by weconway

[Eaglestroker]

I'd be really proud to call that my first holster. You should be too

[mojoewrkn]

Nice Job!

[katsass]

From the old grump: Well guy, you did damned good for your first, but more importantly you looked, saw, and understand where you need to do things a bit differently. That, IMO, is the most important. Since you have covered every detail that you found to be not quite right, I have no other comment, other than to say that damned few folks starting out do as you have done --- understanding where, and how to make the next one as perfect as one can. Because of that, I consider this better than a good job, to me it's one hell of a fine job overall. Mike

[weconway]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement.

A lot of my hobbies involve learning to make things. If nothing else this makes me appreciate some of the amazing gunleather I see here and other places. There are real artisans at work!

William