JLSleather

They didn't have it? You'd think for a couple $1 it would come with a legible manual ...

Small man complex? I've seen people with a $100 "maker stamp" and a $5 awl priorities. Whatever - each his own.

Yes, we have more access to handguns here. This is my point, actually. You'd think that information about specific models would be available everywhere. You might think you could skip some of the "guessing" and "hoping" by more 'asking", but there seems to be more desire to sell you another pattern than just tell you the dimensions of that model. "Blue guns" are popular around here too - we have some our self. But if a fella had the dimensions of the firearm, then the gun, the blue gun, and the 'pattern' are all unnecessary, at least until you're ready to form it.

Exactly my point -- easy is good. Easier is better. Don't even matter if a fella's method is "weird", long as you end up with a solid holster that does its job and looks good doing it.

I'd say that's a pretty good review! Thanks for the info.

Oh, cool.. Narrow 'skirt' loop. Nice

Yep, see it all the time. People over there at Ebay actually pay MORE than you can just walk in the store and buy what you want. Not just once - all the time. Whatever.. warn 'em, and if'n they do it anyway so be it. It LOOKS like some folks like the BIDDIN' more than they care about the price. Fair enough.. what a fella does with his own money. Actually, I wasn't talkin about an ongoing forum thread - I just wonderin' out loud why these cutting patterns are so guarded (or that is sometimes my perception). Not takin' it OVERly perrsonal, cuz my kindegarten teacher showed my how to hold the pencil myself Much of the remainder of the post was just my own sarcasm -- I'm really not petty enough to charge money for some lines I drew on a piece of paper tracin' around a gun. Oh, did you try out the leather from RJF just yet? I ordered some, but waitin' ...

A couple of design questions. You can say it's none of my business - no offense taken If it fits the 85, it should fit the S/W J-frames too. What's for the lower strap? And, why the shape it is? Personal preference, or something more?

+1 on the carving design ... bold but simple ... ornate but clean.. nice. That's a LOT of backgrounding - got one arm bigger than the other ?

For wallets, I go on finish the leather, then assemble. For holsters, I dye / oil first, assemble, then final finish (to avoid excessive flexing of the top coat when forming). For larger projects, again finish last. Same idea - no marring of the finish from forming, stitching, squaring, etc....

Not sure what's with the ad at the top of this site, though. That price ($5.75 for backs) I think has gone away.

I've seen the mission grain stuff. Not my favorite. Too brittle to bend sharply, too thick for lining pocket goods. If you're going to fold in the edges, I'd do it gently and stitch quite close to the edge. I have used it on the occasional flat goods - portfolios / sketch pads and such for the young - since it's redeeming value is is wipes off.

Apparently, cutting patterns for firearms are worth their weight in gold (?). How many times have we seen in the forums, someone asks about a pattern and is told - why not make yer own??? Trace a line. Buy a book. Whatever. So, wondering how widespread this is, I typed "holster pattern" over at Ebay. YIKES! Somebody selling Ghormley's patterns for $36 (plus shipping). PEOPLE - these are currently available from Tandy for $7.95! Or, if you have the gun, you can likely come up with your own in 15 minutes. Oh, one more 'tip' since I'm on about things ... from a holster standpoint, there is NO difference between the Glock 17 and the Glock 19. Using a micrometer, these are identical in the slide, ejection port position, trigger and guard, backstrap, etc. The differences in these models is 1/2" in barrel length (the 19 is shorter) and the length of the grip (again, 19 is shorter). Mold a gun with the 17, and the 19 will snap right in (though it will set back in 1/2" on the business end). Now, I'd like to have a spot where I just throw tips ever-so-of'n, but maybe the trendy thing to do is to charge a subscription price, or a pay-as-you-go download thingery. Nah.. seems like a bit of trouble, all that... Oh, and I don't know who said it around here, but it was a good idea. When doing your own, make it first out of corrugated cardboard. This will simulate the leather thickness, and maybe point out any glaring problems before cutting the leather. I hadn't thought of that, but +1 to whoever said that ... that's actually a pretty good idea.

I ordered shoulders, too, in 3 different weights. Figured that's a good 'look see' order. I'm with you -- the HO I've been seeing is not what it used to be. I ordered "B" grade from one place and "A" grade from another and neither was particularly good (and some went back). When I get a total amount for the order, i'll have to call the bank and have them make out a check. The business account has NEVER had checks printed - just never had call for them

Alrightey, then. Roger called back, and I ordered a few weights to see what we're talkin' about. Definitely gonna figure out the check-sending thing, but I think it'll work out fine. None of you fellas tried the leather yet?

Jumpin' on here. Just talked to Roger -- ordered a few different weights. Friendly fella, think this might just work out

What type of bag are you using, and what type of pigskin? As a rule, I glue down the liner, THEN sew and burnish. Suppose it depends on what you're making.

Line it. Nothing says "cheap" like an un-lined bag. In fact, if you're using 4/5 oz, a little firming up likely wouldn't hurt.

Been trying to call RJF. Is there some 'trick' to getting them on the phone? I filled out the little contact form on the web site, but haven't had a response from that either.

This was my point. You CAN get 'sued' at any time, for any number of reasons (or no apparent reason at all). I'm simply pointing out that someone filing a piece of paper isn't - by itself - a major ordeal. If they want to spend their money on court filings and photocopying, have at it. But INSIDE the courtroom, you'll need to show that my actions caused your injury. Keep in mind, not something to ignore either. While you're searching this stuff, you might try to find the percentage of judgments entered by default. In other words, how many suits "succeeded" simply because the person sued didn't take it seriously and respond?

OOPS. Helps if you include the slot

Had to re-work some stuff around here, including changing this one. Seems to fit the Springfield real nice. Do what you like with it. Oh, yeah, print full size (10.5 x 8.5).

Yes. You can be sued. You don't even need to sell it - just reproduce it. Selling it will more likely get you sued, because the owner of the property can show "damages". This has been done (and still is) to no end. Here's a few 'what ifs' to make the point. A cartoon mouse with big ears and mittens is trademark violation. If it doesn't say "MIcky", you can STILL be sued. Volume is immaterial. Guy here was on the news a month or so ago for making a couple dozen t-shirts with the ISU "cyclone" colors. They didn't say ISU, they didn't reference the cyclones, and the people who got them really were ISU grads. Still trademark violation (in this case, no prosescution - they were just ordered to stop making the shirts). "Everybody does it" is not a suitable legal defense. It won't work - unless you're comforted by the idea not being sued alone. Often, infringement is allowed to go on (as in not enforced). Harley Davidson stuff is everywhere - I mean the stuff NOT done by HD. One guy told me years ago that you can make stuff (his thing was "biker" wallets) with the little logo "shield" as long as it didn't say the name. He found out that wasn't the case, though he was informed without prosecution. And THERE is the 'rub'. We've all agreed not to share that software, we've all said we're not going to share those patterns, etc... In the end, it comes down not to is it legal, but is it ENFORCED? I personally don't mess with it. Because it was not enforced yesterday doesn't mean it wont be enforced tomorrow. Just using HD for a 'what if' .. you might make those belts and wallets for 10 years without incident. Then one day, here comes someone who says they can show you have been causing them to lose revenue for the last 10 years, and you're --- well -- let's just say it aint good. OH, yeah .. .that guy is still after me like 4 years later to make him a Pittsburgh Steelers belt. Thank you, no ...

How 'bout just a bit of common sense thrown in the mix before we all git 'gun shy'. An accidental shooting by someone with your holster? You are no more responsible than the car dealer is if you're in an accidental collision. Someone may well attempt to make you look responsible, and thus liable. Standard issue - especially if they know they are wrong, in which case the strategy is to baffle and muddy the water. But, you have to have done something BEYOND make a holster to be liable. Car manufacturers selling cars with exploding gas tanks - liable. Same car man selling perfectly sound cars to drunks and reprobates - not part of the same picture.

The brass "frogs" at OTB are $2.40 ea for the C-1950 on page 196.