ShortBBL

Nice stuff! Makes me wanna get busy and make some holsters for some of my guns! Thanks for sharing.

I would like to add a loop of leather to hold the popular fire rods... Like the Light-my-fire ones. How do you guys do that? Thanks!

Thanks guys! I use a table/belt sander for my edges too. I found that it works pretty good when using more firm leather, like this Skirting leather. On English Bridle, it really made the edges fuzzy!

Not perfect but I like it!

I wanted to figure a good way to secure my thread ends after cutting the project from the machine. You know.... you back-stitch 2 or 3 times then snip it off.... Well..... I tried the super glue... not that fun.... I tried a lighter... not cool..... Then...... my uncle said: "How about a small soldering gun?" Hmmmmm So.... I went to look at SEARS today and saw this little butane solder gun... the tip is small, thin and sealed. When the torch is burning, no flame comes out. I bought it ($20) and took it home for a test drive. WOW.... I love it! I just let it heat up for 30 seconds or less and very lightly touch the loose thread ends and they melt/shrink in just perfect! I tried on white thread and black thread projects.... perfect on both. It is called a Soldpro 25. I googled SolderPro and came up with several differant models.. some look even nicer but cost more like $50 or more. Anyway... hope this will come in handy for some of you. I sure am pleased with my results!

Thanks, I hope you're right! The stitching is machine stitching, with a Cobra 4. I just got the machine 10 days ago.... so I played with learning to stitch until I got it down.... then tried to piece this big sheath together. I guess it turned out OK! My learning here, there and asking peoples ideas/help on this forum and bladeforums, has really helped! Thanks to all who gave ideas and to those of you who did so... but didn't even know it! This site is a super big help!

No kidding! I amaze myself even! ha ha I'm working on a few more (smaller) sheaths.... keep an eye out for them! Thanks for the nice comments!

Thanks for the nice comments guys!! I appreciate it!

Ok, this is the first project i have made with leather. I am very happy with how it turned out, although, I know it can get better with some other steps. (burnishing instead of edge coat for instance. All in all..... I am happy with it! How do you like it?

Just many years of the same type of service that you've already been giving me and others! Thanks Steve! Jon

No problem! You know, I don't know Steve from Adam... but the guy is exacly how everyone has posted... he is very knowledgable and has the best customer service I can remember ever getting! It's just fair to let people know that if they want great service AFTER the sale, as well as before/during.... Steve is it.

One came with my Cobra 4 and it works awesome for things like straps, belts etc. Here it is: http://www.leathermachineco.com/catalog.php?item=23

I tried the GEL Superglue and was not too impressed with it.. it takes 5 minutes to set up! Do those of you who use Superglue, use gel or the original, just put a drip on?? Another idea I got from my Uncle was to use a fine tipped Soldering Iron! Anyone try that? No flame = No burn!

I just gotta say it. I bought the Cobra 4 with EPS, because I read many reviews on here about how this Steve guy is such a great guy to deal with... he'll make everything right if you ever have an issue etc etc.... Blah blah blah. Well! I got my Cobra 4 two days ago. I had a few questions on set up and tension etc. Yeah, so, I called this guy up several times... not always during normal business hours either and guess what!? He was always very willing to help.... knew exactly what I needed to do to get it all set up right and wow.... you guys/gals were right!! Steve, you're very good at what you do and I am so glad that I found this site and learned of you and the Cobra machines before I bought something else! I LOVE my Cobra! Thanks a lot Steve! You are THE person to buy and the COBRA is THE machine! I'll be a longtime customer! Jon

Very nice indeed! Can you tell me where you get the calfskin for lining? I have never done a holster with a lining but would like to try it. Also... are you hand stitching or machine? Great looking classic rig!

For those using a sewing machine on holster and sheaths, do you first use a stitch groover or do you just sew with no groove?

Here's mine! Bad pic.... it looks SO much better in "real life". You get the idea though.

How do you burn it? Cut it first and then burn with a lighter or something??

I got a new head/round knife and want to make a sheath up for it so my shop visitors don't gash themselves when "looking" at my stuff. The knife is only about 1/16" thick or so.... for those who have made a sheath for theirs, did you skive a tiny welt or what did you do? I need to figure this out before I cut the leather because I was going to cut it about 1/2" bigger for the welt. I can't figure out how I'd cut/skive a 8oz piece down to about 1/16", evenly. Also.. show your head knife sheaths here too! Thanks guys!

How many here use their oven or a food dehydrator to dry out/firm up their items? I am getting into sheath and holster making and was told by one person, that he uses a food dehyrator set at about 120 degrees. Do you use there, if so.... how and any idea where you can buy a fiarly big one? I will be making some sheaths for Busse knives, some of which will be 15" long or more! I think I heard you can rig a dehydrator up with its door open and backed up to a large box and it will act like a larger unit. Any thoughts on this? Thanks!

I have a sheath for a Busse Battle Mistress that is 1" thick. Big Knife, big sheath!

LOVE this site!! Thanks for the help Dwight! That is a very good method and an easy one as well. You rock! :You_Rock_Emoticon:

Bianchi used to sell one. I bought one for myself even. It for sure came curved. I'm not sure why, but it did. It was their fancy stitched belt. I can make it straight and see how that works out. It's not like she has giant hips or anything. She is 5'6 and about 120# soakin wet. Edited to add: I guess Bianchi still makes it. Here is the link.... http://www.copquest.com/14-1800.htm#Bianchi_B21_Countour_Belt_-_1-3/4_inch

I want to make a nice belt for my wife. For a nice womens belt, I think it would be best if it was made with a curve shape instead of striaght, so the belt would follow the curve of her hips. How would I go about making a nice cirved cut though? I'm stumped! Any good methods you use?