gaelicknife

Note the difference in buckles from one holster to another. I began with a Garrison type buckle, but now prefer the stainless roller buckle from Chicago Luggage. Stainless is better especially for this type of holster.

Here are a few pics of the Alaskan type holsters I make at Gaelic Forge Knife and Leather Works. Heavy leather and good finishing techniques as well as Chicago screws make this holster comfortable riding convoy, in a pick-up, on a 4 wheeler or a horse. Comfortable and accessible. Seams are double stitched when possible, reinforced with rivets as needed, seam edges are sealed with Yankee wax and buffed and entire holster is treated with Obenaufs for long life and comfort. No short cuts.

Interesting comments...and I respect the accumulated wisdom of so many contributors. I understand the difficulties of "trying to make a living" from fabricating leather items. Being retired....as are quite a few here I suspect....I do not feel the pressure to perform a great deal of marketing chores. I don't remember who's signature had the great quote from Heinlein, but there is quite a bit of wisdom there too! Who the hell wants to make the same thing day after day? You don't have to. Develop a repertoire involving different mediums....steel, wood, synthetics, fabrics, leather... and then learn to combine them for some trully unique objects. Also, don't try so hard to set the world on fire with your work. Make something of high quality....very high quality....and it will sell itself. If the quality isn't appreciated to your audience, then you have the wrong audience. I had a friend several years ago who was an aspiring knife maker. He could not sell enough of his beautiful knives to make ends meet, but when someone suggested a small ad in the Smithsonian magazine things turned completely around for him. He changed his audience. Your audience must have the knowledge to appreciate your work! You cannot sell a beautifully crafted bridle to the dude at the corner convenience store, but the outfit that boards horses may just bite.....or know someone who will. Take it from a geezer....start small, make quality and build slow and you may have something to hand off to your children. In the meantime you will be working for yourself....priceless.