Threepersons project continues to grow

[Lobo]

The Tom Threepersons holster style (that I have posted about over the past several months) seems to have taken on a life of its own. I'm now receiving an average of 5 new orders every week for this style, including plain holsters and holsters carved in the original pattern. I recently started receiving requests for this style in basketweave finish as well, so I dug through my stuff and found my basketweave tools (haven't used those since the 1980's). After a couple of practice pieces I turned out the holster shown in one of the photos (Threepersons-style with snap-strap, 6" S&W K-22).

Doing basket stamping must be like riding a bicycle, something you never quite forget how to do. Back in the 1970's and 1980's I did basketweave on about half of everything that I produced. It was very popular, especially with law enforcement personnel.

Had a customer in Texas interested in a carved Threepersons-style holster for his Colt Single Action Army 4.75", with the kicker that he wanted to match the finish to an old carved cartridge belt that he owns. Photos showed a piece estimated at about 50 years old with what appeared to be nothing more than neatsfoot oil for finish. Attached photo shows the result, which the customer is very happy with (original open top style, carved in the original pattern by a very talented gentleman who does these for me).

Had an e-mail from a gentleman who wanted a very simple belt slide holster, something that I haven't produced for quite some time. He wanted one for his Glock with belt loops done in an enclosed manner to ride flatter on the belt (photo attached). I like the result and will probably be adding this style to my regular product line. These are very simple designs, fast and easy to make, use very little leather and produce almost no waste).

August set a new record for my little shop with 131 pieces produced, including 103 holsters and the rest being belts, pouches, etc. Shipped products to 37 states and 3 foreign countries. Customers placing second and third orders now comprise about 20% of my work, so I am very pleased with that. And I'm getting e-mails from folks asking for products they've seen others using at the range or club, so referals are very good.

Added another retail gun shop stocking my regular production items (and taking orders for specialty work), bringing that side of the business to 4 outlets.

Grandchild #9 was born last month, a sound and healthy boy.

I guess I'm rambling a bit here. Started out talking about one thing, ended up with a lot of other stuff thrown in. Anyway, life is good for an old retired cop making holsters in southern Colorado. I hope you are all doing well also.

Edited September 5, 2009 by Lobo

[Mike Craw]

Hey Lobo!

That's a sweet looking original carved holster. I've always liked the Threepersons style, especially in the "oldtime" carving pattern. Is the person who does your carving a member of LW.net? If not, maybe you could suggest that he join. He really does good work.

Nine grandchildren? Congratulations!! We can't get "Thelma" or "Louise" interested in coming up with a first one!! Waiting for careers, houses, etc. We told them if we had waited until we could "afford" them...they wouldn't be here!!

Anyway, keep posting the holsters. I really like the job you're doing.

Mike

[Lobo]

Thank you, Mike. The carver is a forum member. If you would like to get in touch with him let me know, I will send him a message and get his permission to release his contact information.

Very talented artist!

[rickybobby]

The Tom Threepersons holster style (that I have posted about over the past several months) seems to have taken on a life of its own. I'm now receiving an average of 5 new orders every week for this style, including plain holsters and holsters carved in the original pattern. I recently started receiving requests for this style in basketweave finish as well, so I dug through my stuff and found my basketweave tools (haven't used those since the 1980's). After a couple of practice pieces I turned out the holster shown in one of the photos (Threepersons-style with snap-strap, 6" S&W K-22).

Doing basket stamping must be like riding a bicycle, something you never quite forget how to do. Back in the 1970's and 1980's I did basketweave on about half of everything that I produced. It was very popular, especially with law enforcement personnel.

Had a customer in Texas interested in a carved Threepersons-style holster for his Colt Single Action Army 4.75", with the kicker that he wanted to match the finish to an old carved cartridge belt that he owns. Photos showed a piece estimated at about 50 years old with what appeared to be nothing more than neatsfoot oil for finish. Attached photo shows the result, which the customer is very happy with (original open top style, carved in the original pattern by a very talented gentleman who does these for me).

Had an e-mail from a gentleman who wanted a very simple belt slide holster, something that I haven't produced for quite some time. He wanted one for his Glock with belt loops done in an enclosed manner to ride flatter on the belt (photo attached). I like the result and will probably be adding this style to my regular product line. These are very simple designs, fast and easy to make, use very little leather and produce almost no waste).

August set a new record for my little shop with 131 pieces produced, including 103 holsters and the rest being belts, pouches, etc. Shipped products to 37 states and 3 foreign countries. Customers placing second and third orders now comprise about 20% of my work, so I am very pleased with that. And I'm getting e-mails from folks asking for products they've seen others using at the range or club, so referals are very good.

Added another retail gun shop stocking my regular production items (and taking orders for specialty work), bringing that side of the business to 4 outlets.

Grandchild #9 was born last month, a sound and healthy boy.

I guess I'm rambling a bit here. Started out talking about one thing, ended up with a lot of other stuff thrown in. Anyway, life is good for an old retired cop making holsters in southern Colorado. I hope you are all doing well also.

Ray,

You have a nice little business going. Thanks for keeping us up to date. I have followed your posts since you started and always enjoy and learn something from them. I especially like the "business" end of your discussions, what has worked, what does not, and you openly share that. I thank you for that. Your basket stamp looks great! Maybe it will make a comeback with LEO's! lol !!!

Congrats on #9 grandchild. Save some time for yourself.

Rick Jorgenson

[Mike Craw]

Hey Ray!

I'm glad to hear that your carver is also a member. I just wanted to make sure that his talent was available if he wants to jump in to some of the tooling discussions. Have a good weekend.

Mike

[MBOGO]

Great work all around LOBO, how did you get an extra three hours in your day? Where is the form to fill out? On serious question, what does the backside of the belt slide look like?

[Lobo]

Great work all around LOBO, how did you get an extra three hours in your day? Where is the form to fill out? On serious question, what does the backside of the belt slide look like?

Thanks for your comments.

Back side of the belt slide is cut to the same pattern as the front (reversed, of course) with two belt slots cut. The belt goes through the tunnel formed by the stitching pattern at each end, through the slots and across the back side of the holster. The holster rides nice and flat against the belt and waist.

Time? I seldom spend more than 2 or 3 hours at a time in the shop. I combine multiple orders into production runs, do all the cutting at once, all the assembly at once, all the sewing at once, all the forming at once, all the dying at once, all the finishing at once, all the hardware at once, etc. I may go to the shop a couple of times each day, spend an hour or two as needed for each stage, then do other things (I have another business).

Doing things in this way I can complete each production run (usually 10 or 12 pieces) over the course of several days, with a total of about 9 to 11 hours of working time. Those times involving drying (during forming and finishing processes) allow me to have more than one production run going simultaneously; while one batch is drying after being formed, etc, I can be working on another stage of another batch.

We can't put extra hours into the day; all we can do is make each hour as productive as possible.

[Lobo]

Ray,

You have a nice little business going. Thanks for keeping us up to date. I have followed your posts since you started and always enjoy and learn something from them. I especially like the "business" end of your discussions, what has worked, what does not, and you openly share that. I thank you for that. Your basket stamp looks great! Maybe it will make a comeback with LEO's! lol !!!

Congrats on #9 grandchild. Save some time for yourself.

Rick Jorgenson

Thank you, Rick. There is nothing wrong with a hobby, making things for yourself or as gifts for others. That side of leathercraft has been very gratifying for many, many people.

Doing leather work as a business is another critter entirely, and I've seen that there are a lot of forum members struggling with how to make their time, efforts, and skills pay off. Even if someone is only trying to recoup expenses to continue pursuing their hobby or passion (and it can become an expensive one), it never hurts to open the mind to the possibilities.

Gun leather in particular has quite a large potential market, and one that is not fully served by the major manufacturers. Depending upon which estimate you choose to accept, there are at least 100 million gun owners in the US right now, and 30 to 40 million handguns in private hands. Millions of people purchase firearms every week, every month, every year. 38 of the 50 states have adopted "shall-issue" concealed carry permit laws in recent years, and most of those states have entered into reciprocity agreements with other states (whereby a permit issued in one state is honored in other states).

Increasingly, law-abiding citizens are taking responsibility for their own security and that of their families. Concealed weapon permits are being applied for in record numbers. As a retired cop, I frequently tell this to potential gun owners: "When seconds count, the police can be there in minutes".

There is a huge, and growing market for holsters and accessories. And, with the Internet and on-line shopping, that marketplace is within the reach of any craftsman. In years past, leather workers were limited to the marketplace provided locally by the people they knew or worked with, or craft fairs, gun shows, etc. The majority of craftsmen never opened a store, published a catalog, or took out an advertisement in a magazine.

A lot has changed, and there is a whole new world of opportunities for those capable of producing products that are in demand. The retail store, with all of its expense, is competing with the website and on-line interactive "store". Individual craftsmen no longer have to make a big investment in bricks and mortar, large advertising costs, and so forth to pick up a piece of the action.

If what I offer helps a few others build up a small business, I am happy to help. It does me no harm at all; neither I nor any other maker will lose a bit of business or demand for our work.

Best wishes.

[rickybobby]

Thank you, Rick. There is nothing wrong with a hobby, making things for yourself or as gifts for others. That side of leathercraft has been very gratifying for many, many people.

If what I offer helps a few others build up a small business, I am happy to help. It does me no harm at all; neither I nor any other maker will lose a bit of business or demand for our work.

Best wishes.

Ray,

Great information for business, Thanks,

Rick J

Ray, If I may ask, what is your "other" business? I have seen a couple posts that you mention it. If it is private, no need to post, but I always wonder what others "do" besides leather work!

I always enjoy your posts,

Rick J.

[Lobo]

Ray,

Great information for business, Thanks,

Rick J

Ray, If I may ask, what is your "other" business? I have seen a couple posts that you mention it. If it is private, no need to post, but I always wonder what others "do" besides leather work!

I always enjoy your posts,

Rick J.

Rick:

I am a retired cop, and spent several years as a fraud and forgery investigator. Now, I do some consulting and investigative work for insurance companies on suspect claims, reviewing case files, making recommendations, doing field investigations and interviews, occasionally serving as an advisor and/or expert witness in legal proceedings.

Between the two businesses I manage to stay busy and have a little fun in the process.

Best wishes.

[Lee]

The Tom Threepersons holster style (that I have posted about over the past several months) seems to have taken on a life of its own. I'm now receiving an average of 5 new orders every week for this style, including plain holsters and holsters carved in the original pattern. I recently started receiving requests for this style in basketweave finish as well, so I dug through my stuff and found my basketweave tools (haven't used those since the 1980's). After a couple of practice pieces I turned out the holster shown in one of the photos (Threepersons-style with snap-strap, 6" S&W K-22).

Doing basket stamping must be like riding a bicycle, something you never quite forget how to do. Back in the 1970's and 1980's I did basketweave on about half of everything that I produced. It was very popular, especially with law enforcement personnel.

Had a customer in Texas interested in a carved Threepersons-style holster for his Colt Single Action Army 4.75", with the kicker that he wanted to match the finish to an old carved cartridge belt that he owns. Photos showed a piece estimated at about 50 years old with what appeared to be nothing more than neatsfoot oil for finish. Attached photo shows the result, which the customer is very happy with (original open top style, carved in the original pattern by a very talented gentleman who does these for me).

Had an e-mail from a gentleman who wanted a very simple belt slide holster, something that I haven't produced for quite some time. He wanted one for his Glock with belt loops done in an enclosed manner to ride flatter on the belt (photo attached). I like the result and will probably be adding this style to my regular product line. These are very simple designs, fast and easy to make, use very little leather and produce almost no waste).

August set a new record for my little shop with 131 pieces produced, including 103 holsters and the rest being belts, pouches, etc. Shipped products to 37 states and 3 foreign countries. Customers placing second and third orders now comprise about 20% of my work, so I am very pleased with that. And I'm getting e-mails from folks asking for products they've seen others using at the range or club, so referals are very good.

Added another retail gun shop stocking my regular production items (and taking orders for specialty work), bringing that side of the business to 4 outlets.

Grandchild #9 was born last month, a sound and healthy boy.

I guess I'm rambling a bit here. Started out talking about one thing, ended up with a lot of other stuff thrown in. Anyway, life is good for an old retired cop making holsters in southern Colorado. I hope you are all doing well also.

Lobo you have inspired me. A friend and coworker asked me to modify a knife sheath and just for practice I made him a new sheath. He has a Redhawk just like mine so I can use it for a model and I decided too make a Threepersons holster for him to try and polish up some of my old skills that I haven't used in the last 20 yrs. I'll take some pictures and maybe I'll learn how to post them I would like some feed back. I had to take 4 aspirins for the stitching on the sheath we will see how many it takes to loosen up my arthritic fingers for the holster. Lee