Bearns

Hi, I found this thread searching the board for the word "ergonomic" hoping to find perhaps a source for ergo leather tools OR some sort of tool holder for standard 1/4 inch diameter stamps. I've been doing a lot of leatherwork (orders and gifts) this month and now my hand aches and the fingers go numb when I grip the stamp tools with my left hand. I'm using a pair of lock-jaw pliers to grip the tool tonight, which gives me control of placement without twisting or bending the wrist, but I am curious as to how other people deal with this problem... or if there are special tools available anywhere, please share where! Thanks, Nancy

Thanks! The .44 long barrel tried on the holster for the first time yesterday and it fit like a dream... just like it was made for it, lol. Silly, huh? But I was half scared it wouldn't. Wish I could edit or delete my other post that Eric mentioned... my fears were getting the best of me but all ends well, friendship still in tack.

Nice detail on the inside, picks up the tooling on the belt, looks really good.

Thank you all for your kind words. Yes, it's my first... the next holster will be for my cute little derringer.

Yes Eric, it is... it's for the husband of an old friend from college. His wife is coming tomorrow, bringing his gun to try it on - sure hope it fits! I waited to attach the snap strap to ensure it won't be too loose or too tight as the strap on the old holster used to make a pattern seemed worn. I will attach it while she is here and send it home with her, hopefully I will hear back on how he likes it and our friendship remains in tack. I used a 2" tandy belt blank for the belt, cut the strip for the bullet loops and keepers from a 3/5oz belly, and cut the holster from an 8/9oz double shoulder. If I were to do this again, I'd want a side to cut the belt and holster out of the same piece as they took the stain differently so it took some playing around trying to get the colors to match. Or maybe go heavier with saddle skirting leather if it is toolable (not sure about that). As for finish... gel stain in saddle tan tooled side with professional oil dye in black for the flesh side of the holster. Edge kote & burnished edges. The black flesh side was burnished as smooth as can be with Gum Tac (or trach-whatever, never can remember how to spell that). Also gave it some Lexol conditioner and a couple coats of Institutional Leather Finish (clear coats) and what seemed like hours of hand buffing it between things with lambs wool. As a final finish, considering this is what he'll most likely use on it now and then, a good buffing with neutral shoe polish. Don't know if that's the proper way to do it... but that's how I finished it. Thought about trying to water proof it more... but I will leave that up to him. Thanks, Nancy

If I remember right, there is a video on using those basketweave stamps at the tandy website that suggests using a line and working both sides of it. I know I watched one somewhere before I gave it a go... mind I am a newbie, NOT an expert. This barrette on scrap leather was my first go at using a basketweave stamp and it is messed up, even the edge stamping is a mess... but, see where I added the HERE and NOT HERE? Where the HERE is, I went back over it with a swivel knife trying to make it look more like a basket weave. The NOT HERE is where I missed a couple spots with the knife. I don't know if that's proper or not, but it's more to my liking. Guess you can experiment different ways to see what works best for you. Of course, it is a different kind of basketweave... I just clicked on your photo and got to see it large enough to see that. (old lady eyes here) and I don't know if a line would work well with that style stamp.

Hi, yes... I'm showing off my very first holster. I added a different photo to my gallery if this comes up as a thumbnail here.

I'm a newbie, too. The best way to learn is by doing. Looks pretty good!