New round of holsters

[Shorts]

High Ride Pancake. This has less cant than the Original but similar styling, plus a swear shield. Like the dye job? This was the trouble I spoke of in my post in the Dyes section.

Compact Snap On. I think think this one is my new favorite. So comfortable and I used the color mix that abn used on a belt he made. It came out just gorgeous! Thanks for the tip! My photo job doesn't do this holster justice.

Edited May 15, 2008 by Shorts

[BOOMSTICKHolsters]

Nice work on the holsters, shorts!

I have an experiment you might try with your brown dye:

Try brushing some rubbing alcohol on the surface of your leather before you apply the dye, then wipe it clean. It should serve to open the pores up and make the dye take a little better (don't try mixing the dye with alchohol as you will merely dilute your color). I have no idea if this will work, but I think it might. Bick 4 works great to help leather absorb dye, but you can't use it on holstes if you want them to hold their shape. I highly recommend it for belts, though.

[Shorts]

Nice work on the holsters, shorts!

I have an experiment you might try with your brown dye:

Try brushing some rubbing alcohol on the surface of your leather before you apply the dye, then wipe it clean. It should serve to open the pores up and make the dye take a little better (don't try mixing the dye with alchohol as you will merely dilute your color). I have no idea if this will work, but I think it might. Bick 4 works great to help leather absorb dye, but you can't use it on holstes if you want them to hold their shape. I highly recommend it for belts, though.

Thank you

You know what, I think you just said the magic words that broke the mystery - alcohol. I normally use warm water and rubbing alcohol to wet the holsters for molding. I did so with the snap on. BUT on the High Ride for some reason I decided to use the warm water and dish soap. That could be the variable I was looking for - Thanks!

[Leather Bum]

Shorts,

From what weight leather are those holsters made? I like the amount of molding detail you have attained. . .

How do you guys make a pattern? Do you just draw it up on paper and then test it/trim it until you like it, or. . . what?

Thanks for posting.

L'Bum

[Shorts]

Shorts,

From what weight leather are those holsters made? I like the amount of molding detail you have attained. . .

How do you guys make a pattern? Do you just draw it up on paper and then test it/trim it until you like it, or. . . what?

Thanks for posting.

L'Bum

Thanks

I use 8/9oz to make these holsters. I hand mold for general form and then I follow up with boning. That's how one wilk get sharp detail on the leather. Give it a shot on your next project. But be sure you have a good smooth tool or you risk marring the surface. I think many start off using the rounded end of a Sharpie (remove the black lettering or it will rub off on your leather). Many folks like using an antler. I've made my own tool from a nice piece of arcylic. Whatever you use, make sure it is polished smooth.

For a pattern, draw it out on a paper. Lay the gun on top, mark the stitch lines, then draw out the shape of the holster around the gun.