yepod

+1 to what Denster said.

S&W 669 S&W 6906 S&W M&P 40C SIG P-229 w/o rail Just wanted to add you have great prices!

Very nice! What leather are you using (W&C or HO)?

I have not had the opportunity to buy a Rings gun (direct or from a distributor) but have had great service from Duncans. I have always called during the day (and make sure to ask for Luke). I understand he is in charge of the dummy gun/magazine inventory.

Beautiful as usual! You are always your worst critic particle;)

As already stated, this is a great first attempt. (Wished mine were as good!) As to the cant, if it works for you so be it! I was going to add if it didn't work well it might be a good SOB holster. Keep up the great work and more pictures PLEASE!

I find the 54-59 (as you will notice from the picture) has a wider part only at the top & then a round shank for the remainder of the blade. The Osborne 42-52 (same link) is what I have used before. IMHO I think of it as more the traditional shape of a saddlers awl (as described by may others here with much more experience than I). The Bob Douglas awls everyone (including me) rave over have the diamond shape the full length of the blade. Remember that ANY C.S. Osborne, Dixon, Tandy or most other awl blades you buy will need to be sharpened & polished with a strop to get it to the most efficient condition. As EVERYONE that has spent the extra money (between 2 to 3 times the price of the other brands listed above) the Bob Douglas awls are bar far the very best out of the box!

Very nice as usual Particle! I'm very impressed (read jealous!) of your ability to do 'out of the gate' impressive work on your first go at anything. Holster making, tutorial video making, tooling and now belts. What's next on the drawing board? Great job!!

Thanks Lobo for the great tutorial!

Great first time out! I too am anxious to see your next work. I agree with eveyones comments (darn I was too slow to respond)! I use the Fiebings glycerine bar saddle soap too with denim or canvas (thanks Hidepounder!) but I can't get it at my local Tandy. I go to a local tack shop and get it cheaper than most other places. A farm & fleet type place will often have a tack section too. I'll have to give Tac's "Nutrigena" glycerine bar soap a try, thanks!

For 'eyeball' spacing and first time hand stitching this holster looks great! I wished my hand stitching looked nearly this good. Can't wait to see your next effort!

Luke pretty much covered it. What I find interesting is they are quite prevalent (see them on e-bay all the time) because they were evidently used in the auto brake (pad assembly?) business earlier in the last century. I'm like you DPRB and have one "for awhile" but haven't set a single rivet with it yet!

I'm definately no expert but it looks like a food chopper. Collectors look for antique kitchen tools in the green handle series as well as the red. (I know this because my wife used to collect the green series.) I've seen more of the red lately in 'antique' shops in my quest for old leather craft tools.

IMHO, this looks very nice! I think the wet forming is excellent. Is it too late for a pic of the back?

Thanks Chris. Sweet!

I have used several knives over the years, started with the "Stanley" utility knife like first discussed. Tried 'Murphy style' for a while, then switched to a clicker knife w/ curved blade (similiar to Tandy blade like KB8UVM posted but longer and fixed in a wood handle Used by shoemakers I think. I still use this a lot and it keeps a wicked edge quite easily. I have that Tandy knife but instead use a plastic handled Warren Cutlery (for wood carving) with that same replaceable curved blade. It's a bit shorter and fits my hand well. Got a set of three with a few blades on ebay a few years ago. It looks similar to this one. http://www.thewoodcr...S-ONLY-JW2.html I don't know this source but the handles are quite reasonably priced (even in rosewood) and the blades are cheaper than Tandys too (less than $1.60 each). http://www.thewoodcr...-3-PKG-10B.html Now I'm learning how to put a good edge on a head knife and finally going traditional!

Thank you CEM (Clair) for asking and thank you dirtclod (John) for the pictures! Are the increments on the inch (imperial) ruler in the second picture 1/16ths? I have been struggling with this question myself for a while now. Not to steal this thread but, can't seem to find a cross reference chart for cord/ply count to TEX or Z size to mtric or inch equivalent. This helps, thanks again! John

Welcome from Grand Rapids Todd! I'm new to the site too but have learned a lot from just lurking! John