tx50

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I ran by Tandy today and picked up some Tan Kote to play with. Hopefully it will give better results.

Lobo, Thanks for the reply. I am currently using Fiebings alcohol based dyes, so the problem has to be with the finish product. I have been on the fence about using the oil on holsters after reading numerous posts on here, but may buy a small bottle and give it a try. I am also going to pick up a different finish product.

Madmax, No, the Eco-Flo is all I have tried since these two holsters are just about the extent of my leatherwork thus far. I will probably go by the local Tandy store on friday to pick up a different finish product and thus am picking the brains of those with more experience to narrow down my choices. I will do some research on the Tancoat.

I have made two holsters thus far, one black and one british tan. I am using Fiebings dye and Eco-Flo Super Sheen final finish. I allowed the dye to dry overnight and buffed off any extra before I applied two to three coats of finish, allowing plenty of dry time between coats. The problem I am having is with the dye bleeding off on my pants and tshirt. I live in Texas and 100+ temps are pretty much the norm this time of year. If my pants or tshirt get damp from sweating the Eco-Flo is rubbing off and allowing the dye to bleed off on my clothes. And I mean really bleed off, not just a hint of color. Any suggestions as far as what I may be doing wrong or what other final finish product you guys would recommend I try for more moisture resistance? I have an old Don Hume holster that I can sweat on all day and never get any dye bleed off from.

Thanks for the positive comments, guys. I have been wearing the brown Avenger holster for the last two weeks and its breaking in nicely. The only thing I would have changed is that I made the belt tunnel just a little too tight. The first few days it was tough running a belt through it, but it has worn in nicely now. I guess it was better to start off snug and wear in than start off easy and end up a sloppy fit. I'm not sure what I want to try next. I'm thinking about a belt carrier for a single pistol holster, Stinger flashlight, and an OC Kubaton.

Lobo, Thanks for the positive comments. I have read many of your postings on the forums and looked at your website. You make some really nice leather gear. I learned alot from the first holster and am very proud of both of them, minor flaws and all. A buddy at work has also picked up holster and carry gear leatherwork after I made the first one. Now Monday mornings in the office are turning into carry gear show and tell. I also made a recessed style badge holder with a spring steel clip for wearing on a belt and one of the guys wants me to make him one as well. Maybe I can follow the lead of many of you guys and make a second or retirement career out of leatherworking.

Here are some photos of my first two holsters. I am open to any constructive comments or suggestions since this is the sum total of my leathercraft experience thus far. And thanks to everyone here on the forums for the photos, suggestions, and wisdom that I obtained from your posts. The first one was the black pancake style that I made following a web tutorial using the drill method for the stitching holes. The second one is an Avenger style holster that I made this past weekend using a single blade leather punch for the stitching holes. I definitely prefer the punch to the drill process. I saddle stitched both holsters by hand, used Fiebings dye (USMC black and British tan), and finished them with Eco Flo Super Sheen liquid. The leather I used was the best looking single shoulder I could find at my local Tandy Leather shop. My interior stitching lines were off a bit on the pancake holster, but I believe that I got it near perfect on the Avenger. http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e175/tx5...sterpics004.jpg http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e175/tx5...sterpics003.jpg http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e175/tx5...sterpics002.jpg http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e175/tx5...sterpics001.jpg