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Carrieanna1172

Taking A Class On Holster Making

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I would love to take a beginers holster making class

But most of the ones I have found so far require intermediate leather working skills and knowledge

Anyone know of any beginer classes or just the best place to start?

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Ok 2 part question -

The show in Sheridan Wy

Just wondering if you get good deals on leather when you attend a show like that ?

Or is it mostly to look at try out new products?

Looks like a lot of venders ? And some interesting classes just no holster making for beginers

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Carrienna, the best place to start is right here. Do you know what type of holster you want to make, concealed carry, field, western, period correct etc.? Do you have a gun to use for molding the holster? If you go to Gun Holster, Rifle Sling, Knife Sheath heading of these forums you will find several holster tutorials pinned. I can also give you a list of worth while how to make a holster videos online that you can watch for free. We may even be able to help you out with a pattern if we know what gun you want to make a holster for. Adams Leatherwork has patterns most are around $9.00. He also has somne free how to videos and premium videoshttp://www.adamsleatherworks.com/patterns/ . THe Adams Leather work patterns are all downloadable, the video are very well done. Look under the DIY heading for videos. There is a three part on how to make a holster that is free and very informative. JLSleather has very resonably priced patterns on his etsy store https://www.etsy.com/shop/jlsleather?page=3 . Check with your local Tandy some have basic holster making classes from time to time. Also get the Al Stohlman book Making Holsters. The patterns are dated but the information is invaluable. It costs around $10.00 either in the store or you can download it from Tandy's Leathercraft Library. We can pretty much give you all the help and information to make a holster right here for free. Just peruse the threads on the Gun Holster forum and you will find many holster makers that got their start right here simply by asking questions.

Edited by camano ridge

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Camano -- I'd be interested in seein' that list o' "worthwhile" videos -- so much of utube is like wading through.. well... doesn't matter :) Still, if you've done some weeding,...

And +2 on the Stohlman book (which is +1, plus I'll say it agin). Great, clear information in there which is very helpful for holster makin', even if you never make any of those exact holsters. Not sure the patterns are entirely dated, I still get asked about one of these every so often ...

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Recommendations don't come as easily at my place as some others, I think. Most of us could make a line drawing with a pencil since we were 3, and anybody can upload a video fast and free (and nearly every has!). Much like the MANY videos out there, the trick is to weed out the useful information. I saw half a dozen last night that came up along side something I was searching for. 10-12 minute videos of a piece of leather going around in a stitcher. Then another one with a different piece of leather doing the same thing... etc.... I was wondering if I got sidetracked onto some leather stitcher ads. Guy's name don't maybe matter, but what you end up with is a guy with 30 (ish) videos that don't actually teach anything ! You'd think I'd quit gittin sucked inta that!

I say all that to say this:

I do have some patterns available, and there will be considerably more if I ever get them in the computer! But more important than a drawing on the paper, is the principle behind where the lines are.

Camano is correct - there is some useful info around here. As for a "class", I'd recommend looking for someone in your local area. And I mean someone who knows leather and knows WHY that holster is shaped like it is.

By way of cheap intro (as in free) here's a little picture I send to pretty much everybody - including customers who have no intention of ever making their own holster.

AboutHolsters.pdf

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Oh, long as I'm whining anyway -- if you use those kits available at one retailer -- PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't tell me :)

I don't know how much I can take of that "for a large semi-auto" or "medium revolver". What are being called holsters everywhere with the leather up on the grip of the weapon (no way to get a grip on it), belt loops that let the gun 'sag' away from the body, ughhh.. holsters are NOT 'one size fits all'....

And this file is not a class. In fact, it actually says it's not a class :)

HolsterInstruct.pdf

Edited by JLSleather

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Good info thank you

The one I want to learn on (ie that I have available for practice is a 38 special stub nose) detective

Or a smith and Wesson Mt ACP 45

Or a 22 colt Challenger

I would like to start with the stub nose and make a conceal and carry but over the belt

My first probably stupid question, idk

some holsters I have seen have the trigger guard covered and some don't? Don't know why this is?

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By "detective", I assume you're talking about the old Colt revolver? There's a couple "patterns" for an OWB style holster in an OLD publication (the gun didn't change, so still good). Might be just the thing you're looking for. And, for a few dollars, you have two of those, plus a number of other patterns and designs.

From the standpoint of selling patterns, this may be a shoot-myself-in-the-foot thing, but .. it happens :)

https://www.leathercraftlibrary.com/p-1162-holster-and-gun-belt-pattern-pack.aspx?

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The stohlman book has a holster in it for your colt challenger. That would be a good one to learn the basics on. As to an answer for your question why is the trigger guard covered- So you don't shoot yourself in the foot!

With the trigger guard covered you lay the trigger finger alongside the holster as you draw and the trigger finger does not go into the trigger guard until you have brought the gun up for presentation to the target. If you have the triger guard exposed and you insert your finger in the trigger guard as you draw there is a potential for an accidental discharge. THere other concerns as well and storys of stupid human tricks. However this is an abreviated answer just to give you an idea why. If you are carring concealed I would reccomend covering the trigger guard.

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you do not have to be an advanced leather worker to make holsters, unless you are wanting to do a lot of tooling work. even then if you take your time you can accomplish what you are looking for. what style of holster would you like to make?

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Snubyfan will be dissapointed to hear you calling it a stub nose, he thinks it is a Snub nose :)

Here are some tutorials and videos that will give you some basic direction and a couple even have a list of suggested tools you will find useful in holster making.

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=19714&page=1

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=19338&page=1

http://www.jdlawhon.com/tutorial.html

http://www.shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/leather/holsters/tut/

http://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/CH/ch.html

Videos

http://www.adamsleatherworks.com/hows-it-made/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6QoneJVkQI&list=PL81A37A6E59504E9F 12 parts

Edited by camano ridge

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Ahahaha So it's a snub nose

good to know : )

I know zip about guns unfortunately

All my interest is in the holster

Great info thanks ! And I ordered the stohlman book online from tandy !

Will be driving you all nuts with questions before long I'm afraid !

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Feel free to ask all the questions you want also peruse the Gun holster Rifle Sling and Knife Sheath forum you may find some of your questions already answered and you will definately find inspiration.

If you are making a holster for concealed carry you will need to decide if you want pancake style, avenger style aka Atkins, etc. Just to help you with terminology IWB is inside the waist band, OWB is outside the waist band, which is what I think you mean when you say over the belt.

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Fantastic tutorials !

thanks!

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Good info thank you

The one I want to learn on (ie that I have available for practice is a 38 special stub nose) detective

Or a smith and Wesson Mt ACP 45

Or a 22 colt Challenger

I would like to start with the stub nose and make a conceal and carry but over the belt

My first probably stupid question, idk

some holsters I have seen have the trigger guard covered and some don't? Don't know why this is?

Snubyfan will be dissapointed to hear you calling it a stub nose, he thinks it is a Snub nose :)

Here are some tutorials and videos that will give you some basic direction and a couple even have a list of suggested tools you will find useful in holster making.

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=19714&page=1

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=19338&page=1

http://www.jdlawhon.com/tutorial.html

http://www.shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/leather/holsters/tut/

http://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/CH/ch.html

Videos

http://www.adamsleatherworks.com/hows-it-made/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6QoneJVkQI&list=PL81A37A6E59504E9F 12 parts

Ahahaha So it's a snub nose

good to know : )

I know zip about guns unfortunately

All my interest is in the holster

Great info thanks ! And I ordered the stohlman book online from tandy !

Will be driving you all nuts with questions before long I'm afraid !

I thought I felt a disturbance in the farce, er force.

I've started a YouTube Channel (they'll let anybody in) on leatherworking, holster and belt making. I've made snubby holsters for snubby J and L frame Smith and Wesson revolvers. Some hand stitching and a video on sharp pointy stuff.

I intend to have weekly updates but ya never know what life has in store.

It's called "Chooglin' with Snubby"

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOM3hbruUKHov9kquIxXKlA/videos

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Carrienna,

I just bought Dusty Johnson's instructional DVD for Holsters and Chaps. I actually chatted with him today, via email, he was very helpful. I heard from a few others on this forum that his materials are pretty darn good, and he doesn't require previous experience, either.

check it out.

David

http://www.pvsaddleshop.com/BOOKS%20&%20VIDEOS.htm

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Dusty's video is good and comes with I can't remember one or two patterns.

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His gun belts and Hollywood holsters are beautiful!

I will check it out thanks

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I will check out the chooglin videos snubby

Thanks!

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This is what I want to make

Something like this for my first one I realize there is some wet molding involved which I have no expierience with but

I watched a really informative video with Sam Andrews and Hank Strange on holster building it was on You tube

On the outside of the belt or owb

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post-54294-0-82916100-1424256183_thumb.j

post-54294-0-47868700-1424256201_thumb.j

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Ps camano ridge the 6 shooter link with Jim is awesome!

I'm going to print that out at work today and make it I to a book !

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You have received some good points, if you watched the sam andrews video. One of the very few videos in an ocean of u-tube dross that is actually worth seeing.

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There are multiple sources of holster making both on Utube and the videos mentioned above. The problem is that the Videos by Dusty Johnson and John Bianchi are some 15 years old. The classes in Prescott and Sheridan are indeed at an Intermediate Level because they assume a certain level of understanding and proficiency since they are fast paced. Since our shop has been producing holsters and associated leather products for over 10 years and we understand the confusing problems in this work. We have up to 100 patterns at the shop and do provide instruction on an individual basis. We are always available to answer questions either by email or you may make an appointment to stop by the shop. Appointments are necessary because we are a trade and custom leather shop and are not always available. You may review some examples of my work at www.priceleather.com or contact us at priceleather@gmail.com.

Ken

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