DevilDog04

Thanks for that info guys......I did not know that. But so far I haven't sold anything with the EGA. I bought the stamp because I had some projects in mind for myself!! But if I do, I guess I need to pay that fee!

Does anyone have a template for a Masonic emblem by chance. I tried to free hand one but just couldn't get it to work. I'm trying to make a wallet for my lil brother and would like to carve the Masonic emblem for him.

Man that is gorgeous!! I've been tossing around the idea of making a rig similar to this for my 1911's.......I'm just not that confident in my abilities!! Short of buying a book, I haven't been able to find a template for the belt! Are the loops stitched between the two belt leathers?

How can I tell if the leather is too wet? On this one, I just wet it down with water (didn't case this leather), and let it dry until it turned back the natural color.

man that looks great! Can't wait for my work to look that good. Practice makes perfect I guess! Good job on the holster

yeah I've been needing to get a few oval punches. I did this one with a hole punch and a razor knife! I appreciate the heads up!

Thanks Dwight....well now my brother wants one, one of my Marine Corps buddies wants one, and I had Christmas gift requests......Maybe I could sell them for a few bucks. I'm really thinking I need to tweak the pattern, as too much of the knife is sticking out. And I tried it with most of my Case knives and they all stick out the same. I'll take my time on the next one to get it a little more "perfect", if there is such a thing. At least, knock out some of the inconsistencies... Yeah, not sure it was look as good with that USN insignia.....

I got tired of that big ol Case trapper in my pocket weighing me down so i decided a needed a knife sheath. I haven't bought any good leather yet, since i've just been practicing. But I had a piece of veg belly that I bought from Tandy laying around that I've been practicing on. It's a 6/7 oz leather so i figured it would work ok. I knocked this out in almost one night since I wasn't looking for perfection, just function. And I needed the practice. I thought it turned out okay. The stitch lines are not even and I trimmed a little too much leather off on one side which almost didn't leave enough room for the stitches around the belt hole. But I thought, for the first one, overall wasn't too bad. any opinions would be appreciated....could always use some pointers to get better.

preciate that. I made it to Shreveport yesterday and ran by the Tandy leather store. I left after spending about $350 but I got some new tools that i NEEDED, some books and patterns, and some leather and dyes. Started practicing a little more with the tooling last night. This swivel knife is kicking my rear end along with beveling. But now that I think about it, I think I didn't have the leather wet enough. The knife was dragging a litttle causing gash marks. When I tried to bevel some areas it wasn't too pretty. Very un uniform and ugly. But i guess it'll take practice. I bought some scrap veg belly to practice tooling on. But I plan on starting my next holster and belt with a tri-basket weave. We'll see how that turns out. Stamping isn't too hard doesn't seem like, but that tooling is a whole different story.

Not far at all. I grew up in Center. My folks still live down there. Any good leather places in Nacogdoches?

yes I got off quite a bit on the stamping, in more places than that. lol Takes quite a bit of practice. I did want the open trigger design, mainly because it it a revolver and it would almost be impossible to discharge it in the holster with the strap locked down. But it could be done I guess. I did try to wet form it to the pistol. Again, I need more practice. Wasn't wet enough, didn't dry long enough, etc, etc. I've found that it really needs to dry over night. The leather came from a Tandy leather kit which does explain the holes. But I decided to use a different belt loop setup and different thread. I also put a liner on the inside after I set the concho and snap. Don't like my guns getting scratched up. I appreciate the responses, and I'm very open to any tips and tricks. Gonna start another one this weekend for my 1911. We'll see if that one is any better. I've got some more tools on the way so this one should go a little better. Still not sure that I'm ready to put any tooling on one yet. I've scrapped quite a few pieces of leather because my tooling skills are far less than par!

I finished my first FINAL product. I did some practice on coasters and such but this one I actually finished the edges, dyed the leather, etc. I didn't have a holster for my ruger 357 so I decided to make one. It turned out OK, I can see room for improvement, but hey, it's functional. Love to know what you think....I could always use some pointers being new at this. http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/rr252/csnider1/leathercraft/B9592A89-1E6B-4F9B-B6B7-A872FC9E2B92.jpg

a few weeks ago I read alot of threads on this forum pertaining to beginner's tools. I eventually decided to order the Deluxe Leather Craft Kit from Tandy. Set me back about $100. I also ordered the hand stitch kit because I knew I was going to need that eventually. My question is, for making holsters and gun/hunting stuff like slings, and knife sheaths, etc what tools do you recommend? Here's what I have so far mallet Sewing Awl Needles 1/0 Thread beeswax 6 stamping tools swivel knife Poly roller strop jewelers rouge stain tracing paper and patterns (bought the 1911 holster book from Tandy) Acquired a marble slab for doing leather work on .. and about 24 rounders for practice! I know I need punch set diamond head chisels overstitch tool stylus is there anything else you guys that make holsters and gun slings, and knife sheaths would recommend? I'm extrememly new to leathercraft so I'm going out on a limb here....

Thanks for that info.......I'm actually in Tatum...which isn't far from marshall! Thanks for your service as well

Thank ya'll. Oh i've used the search button quite a bit the last couple of days. Some of the holsters you guys make are beautiful. I hope to get to that point one day. Luckily, i've got an old friend from work, he's retired now, that has had a saddle shop for years. So I've got some local help if I need some hands on training!