ShortBBL

I have a few holsters that I'm less than pleased with. You know.... a not perfect stitch job....or a finish that you are not pleased with.... oh yeah, and one that really bent my crank.... I made a really nice lined holster for a single action and I always sand the welt edge so the glue grabs good... and yeah, sanded the wrong damn side!! OMG! Was I Teeeee'd off or what? The holster looks awesome except for that dang blooper! So do you guys sell "seconds" at a discount rate or do you cut them up and hide them in your trash barrel?

I can't believe that I can't locate a source for these online anywhere! I'm wanting to buy a nice bag punch to make the slots in pancake style holster. I know.... it can be done by making a hole with the circle punch, then using a chisel or knife to cut the slot etc etc.... that takes way more time than needed (at least if I want to make a very nice quality slot). So.... is there a source for these somewhere? If not, is there a company that will make a punch like that and not take the whole bank account to do it? Thanks! 3/8" x 1 3/4" would be perfect...

I'm curious who makes their holsters using leather that is needing to be dyed? I've only made my sheaths and holsters using W&C Skirting mostly, drum dyed in chestnut and Black. I LOVE the chestnut color and so if I used undyed leather, I have no clue how I could get such a great color as Feibings does not make chestnut dye! I ask mostly because when I cut leather, even 6-7 oz stuff cuts SO hard that it takes 2 and sometime 3 passes. Today I cut some 14oz Skirting that I bought for welts and I was floored..... it cut like butter!! SO easy to cut!! The drum dyed stuff is so hard and undyed seems like it would be super nice to work with. i am thinking of trying it! So... the questions... If you use undyed leather, do you dip dye? Is it possible to find a nice chestnut color somewhere? When you dye the leather yourself, i am guessing you would maybe cut out the pattern and then dye it and let it set overnight to dry before putting the holster together? I like to use a white or off-white thread with the Chestnut... so obviously i cant dye it after I put it all together. Help guys and girls!! I'm tired of HARD to cut leather!! The dyes and finishes are my toughest parts... making, stitching and edging etc are easy for me.... I just need to get a set dye/finish and I'll be so happy! Thanks for any help you can give!

Does anyone use ONLY Neatsfoot Oil as there finish (over dyed leather)? No "Lac" or anything else... just a nice coating of Neatsfoot? Is there any reason that would not be ok? It sure looks nice. I have been doing a coat of neatsfoot and then a coat of NeatLac but it shines a lot more than I like. Yes it looks good... but I also really like the look of just an oiled holster. In Bianchi's video, I believe he only uses Neatsfoot oil... I could be wrong but that's what I thought I saw. Any thoughts on this? Thanks!

I'd start with the most common.... Blue Guns full size 1911. Add other after that..... commander sized etc.

Putting the finish on is still my worst part...... I just can't find one that works good for me. This is finished with Neatsfoot oil... then a light coat of neat lac and buffed with some neutral shoe polish. There has to be a better way!?!?!

I make holsters. How expensive are the dies to have made up if I have a pattern? I wonder if it would be cost effective to have dies so I could just spend a minute or two clickin out some blanks, rather than taking the time to mark the leather and hand cut.... Any idea what a holster die might cost?

That's bizarre since i just saw in the news that the largest ever in captivity was 24' and just died (owned by a zoo). Hmmmm you maybe got lucky to find such large snake skins!! Those would have been worth a fortune I bet!

The W/C English Bridle is very nice STRAP leather but it won't take a nice Stamp, carving or moulding. I use their Skirting for those things and I have noticed it is pretty firm.... a little hard to cut, but I use a box cutter and it works ok.

I make mostly holsters, but also a few belts and sheaths. I have been using Neat LAC and just got a gallon of WyoSHEEN to try too. I have not checked the WyoSHEEN but MAN!! The neat lac REALLY smells horrible. I am sure it's not good to breath it. Is there any finish that will work nice like Neat LAC but be safe to use when ventilation isn't as good as would be desired? I don't want to die from the fumes or anything! :-) I'm hoping for a nice finish like neat lac... or maybe a little more Satin and not as glossy. Thanks for your ideas.

I bought that set a few weeks ago. All I can say is John Bianchi is a very good teacher and it is well worth the $50!! I learned a LOT that is helping my holsters to be much nicer!

Oooops, I meant UnDYED! I will probably stick with W&C also. Most everything I got from them has been good... some problems with a 7oz going from 5-8... but other than that at least it was nice leather. I have bought special and their top grade.... special is normally fine for holsters but the ones I got were sides and of course ya waste a lot then... the bellies are too soft (hmmmm looking in the mirror) LOL. Ok.... thanks for the replies. At least I was right... this stuff is the pits!

I have had a lot of guys say they prefer shoulders for holster making so I ordered one to try and I was a bit surprised when I unwrapped it. Previously, I tried the "Premium" Double Butts and they were the same..... If I try untanned Hermann Oak shoulders or backs.... will it be any better? I can't hardly make premium holsters with wrinkled up leathers. Ugh...... this leather buying is frustrating sometimes.

Guys (and ladies too)... this just arrived today. It is supposed to be PREMIUM Grade Veg Tanned Shoulder. The entire thing looks like stretch marks.... I'm saying... the WHOLE dang shoulder! This is my first attempt at using un-dyed leather and I am about 99% sure that if I used this and then dyed it.... these marks will just stand out terribly! Is that right? I mean dying them isn't going to hide them for sure, right? I'm really disappointed in this stuff. It's my second try with Zack White. Looks like my last try. Correct me if I am wrong.

CS OSBORNE It wasn't terribly expensive but still..... hate to buy a new one every 3 or 4 holsters! ha ha

Here is what it did....... I use a 2 lb maul.... and dont even hammer too hard!

Yeah the first I heard of it was once I saw a wallet type holster made for a High Standard 2 shoot (over0under type) derringer. You could work the trigger and the bbl end was open, so it was actually made to pull out the wallet and BOOM! Good design actually.... but right with the holster was a big sign... "NFA Tax Stamp Required". I did some looking up in my Federal Rules/Laws book that they give you with your FFL and there is info on it. Any holster that you can use for concealing the gun and then producing the gun to fire while in the holster is required to be registered as an NFA item. the other issue.... if you are the Maker.... you first need to be an FFL Dealer and have paid your Type 2 Manufacturers Tax ($1,000 per year I believe it is now). Otherwise, there is no way to register the item to make it legal. I'm staying FAR away from making that style holster!! Keep the trigger guard covered and it should be all good!

I bought a new Novolene Chopping Block from Weavers, on the recommendation of someone here (I think) and wow.... after using my 3/8" punch 3 or 4 times, it is totally trashed! What the heck do you all use as a back-stop or whatever, when punching holes? I'm bummed, but at least I learned it with the lower cost punch instead of one of the $60 bag punches I bought!! Should I use the semi-soft poundo board? At least with that, I dont think it will hurt the punch. What good are those Novolene boards if not for punching holes? The punch just rolled into itself....

I'm a class III Gun Dealer (Law Enforcement Supplier) and deal in Machineguns. I am getting away from that though as believe it or not, there just isn't much profit in it. I just wanted to point that out to "qualify" my next comments about Wallet Holsters. I want to let our leather makers aware of the laws on these things. If you are making a wallet holster which lets the gun be fired while still IN the holster.... it's illegal unless the holster is registered as an "Any Other Weapon" NFA item! Or in other words... a Class III item! It's not illegal IF you don't have a gun for it or IN it..... but put the two together and Oooooops. Not good. If you never heard of this or have doubts, google NFA HOLSTER Just an FYI for the Makers here. The laws a bit goofy but I dont want anyone in trouble.

Yeah them or some made of American Holly! That is a nice wood that yellows a lot like Ivory does over time.

Thanks! Yes the finish is NeatLAC spray... it might need another coat... or else some neutral shoe polish before I am totally happy with it. I just got excited and had to show it. This is for sure my best single action holster thus far!

I had to share... I like this one a lot. Looks good with my 44 Special tucked inside! Fully Lined and such a nice fit! Mmm Mmmmm! I need to make a matching sheath for my Black Tie Warden! Here is a pic showing the thong tie-down, from the rear. (can you say thong and from the rear in one sentance here?). The thong is hidden between the two layers of leather so inside the holster, there is no sign of it. Pretty cool feature.

Just when i thought I had it figured out...... Ouch. This finishing process of the leather work can get real conusing/frustrating! Man... I really need to figure out how/what to do about it. I need to order a pile of leather, but I don't know what to get. Maybe just more W&C Skirting in Chestnut and Black I guess. Bianchi said in his DVD's that a gun belt will take about a pint of oil!! Yikes.... it sure looked nice when done, but. One problem I have had with Sides is that they are way too "soft" feeling about half way down.... seems like plenty of non-useable leather to me.... maybe for other type projects, but I like my holsters much more firm. I need help getting this all figured out.

What kind of leather is it Dwight? Where do you buy also? Thanks! Jon

Tony: Are you using their Skirting Leather or which stuff? And what weight do you use? What style holsters do you make mostly, concealed carry type or Cowboy style? Thanks! Jon