Colt Hammerless

That's really nice Robert, and that's an awesome job mixing up the pink dye. Are you going to make something with the dark cherry you accidentally discovered?

My gosh Robert, that's great!

Neat Red Cent. I'm going to build a cross draw for my friend's Sig 226 for when he's hiking. He was concerned with scratching the gun and I was just today thinking that I'll probably bring the leather up just as you have there. Is this for you or a customer? Wondering what conditions it's expected to be carried in that would call for that treatment. Hiking? Standing at a workbench, and constantly banging the shooter into stuff? Paul

Some pretty cool custom work there! I can't imagine the design time that went into those. Actually, I guess I can, I just don't want to. I think it's really cool that you did a wrap around with a flat back. The image of one has been floating around in my head the last few weeks. It dawned on me that I'd never seen one before (at least that I could recall,) and sure enough, here one is. Neat. BTW, you need not have struggled trying to find a way for him to carry extra rounds for that .500. He won't have to fire a shot. He just has to show it to the hog, and it'll die of a massive coronary! Paul

Wickett and Craig in PA: http://www.wickett-craig.com/index.php/leathers/pricing If you're looking for veg-tan for molding you'll want their skirting leather. It's available in Russet (basically tan), brown, chestnut, black, as well as a dark brown called "Havana" that you won't see on their site, you'll have to ask for it when you call. Another option is RJF Leather, who's a sponsor here: http://rjfleather.com/content/index.php/products/#vegtan The drum dyed backs is what you'll want. Available in walnut, havana, mahogany, and black. These are from Thoroughbred leather, who has their leather tanned for them in Mexico, on U.S. Steer hides. Good reviews here on Roger's leather and service. What are you making? If you're not looking to mold the leather (say you're making belts) another option is bridle leather, both available from those two sources as well, and in a variety of colors. Paul

I'm definitely still going to use the respirator. I've heard it dries faster, so that's another plus in my book. Good to hear the smell goes away a bit faster. I sometimes apply cement outside (still with a respirator), especially if anyone else is in the shop. If I'm alone, I'll do it inside with the mask, and either wait, or take the mask off and leave. I'm curious to see how the water based cement does. I'm assuming that I'll need to at least wait overnight after applying it, before wet forming. Paul

It was pretty much the usual suspects Tony. There were a few new companies. Renia (the German adhesives company) had a rep there. I've been interested in trying their contact cements for a while, and was hoping they had brought some. They did not, however, across the way was Montana Leather (another new company to the show) and by chance they carry some of Renia's products, including Master's Maxbond. They didn't have any at the show, but they were having a show special of free shipping on orders placed at the show, so I ordered a gallon of Maxbond for $44. I like the idea of the cements from Renia as they don't contain toluene or MEK. Renia WAS giving out free samples of a water based contact cement. I haven't tried it yet, but am certainly interested. I visited with Josh Fields of A.R.T. knives for a while. He makes some really nice knives, and I want to get one of his head knives. Oh, Dozier knives was there as well. Very nice. Of course I stopped by to say hello to Steve at Leather Machine Co. Bought a couple of bobbins for my Toro 3000 I bought used from him a few months ago. I probably spent the most time talking with Matt from W&C. I forgot to mention to him that you wouldn't be there this year to keep him company. I mentioned that it would be nice if Wickett made skirting in mahogany as it's a popular color for holsters. He was very interested in possibly having the lab mix up some dye and making a trial run to gauge interest. He said he'd probably only want to stock it in 8/10 oz. to keep down on needing to inventory the three different grades in three different weights, but it would be geared specifically toward holster makers so that works out fine. I also spent some time speaking with Chris "Slick Bald" Andres of Maker's Supply. He had some dummy guns with him and I picked up a Sig 1911, as well as the new Glock 42 .380. It was the first batch from Ring's. He said they just came off the production line, and he had them ship them directly to the show. I've already made one prototype, and need to go out to the shop in a few minutes to work on a second. Yep, I couldn't get the stitch line right on a Glock on the first try (shocking.) That's all for now, need to get some coffee and get out to the shop. Paul

I never stop in Prescott without going to the Prescott Brewing Company. Good food, and I love their Petrified Porter. My local Trader Joe's carries some of their beer. I'll have to ask if they ever get the Porter in. Paul

I went on Thursday. Good show! The new location is really nice.

Congratulations Steve! Paul

Just curious if any members (particularly holster makers) are going to the upcoming Leather Crafters and Saddler's Journal trade show in Prescott, AZ. It's March 6th, 7th, and 8th. I'm planning on going Thursday the 6th. Paul

Here's an N-frame: http://www.shop.bunkhousetools.com/Magnum-4-Barrel-929.htm I doubt there's an X frame, but Duncan's Customs may have one. They have an inventory list, but I think that only shows what they have in stock, not necessarily all they're capable of producing. Might want to send them an email. Paul

It sure is good to see you back TwinOaks. Paul

Does it have the squared off "Sig Profiled" slide, or is it one of Sig's "Traditional" profiled slides? The only dummy gun I know of that's available for the squared Sig style slide is the full sized Nitron from Ring's. Paul

Yep, Roger has cheaper shipping for sure. I ordered a double shoulder of 7/8 from RJF that was 11.75 sq. ft. and it was only about $12 shipping to AZ. Paul

I've never even bought a side of skirting from them, only backs of it. It's even on their website in the pricing section. Backs are $1.10 per foot extra. I wonder why he told you they don't sell backs. Strange. Paul

Thanks Robert! Hmmmmmm..........The elephant was from those Springfield scrap bags I got a couple of years ago. I just looked at Roje's website, and it looks like what they call "Vintage Peat". http://www.rojeleather.com/species-and-leathers/elephant-leather/ Paul

Sent these out to a customer earlier this week. The IWB is for a Sig 245, but he wanted me to leave it the length of a 220 in case he gets one in the future. The double mag carrier is for a Ruger LC9. Since seeing the holster, he's decided to get a double mag carrier with elephant to match the holster. Paul

I'm thinking it's also probably a good idea to cut it so that it's just a tick long, maybe .050 inch. It certainly won't show in the fit, nor add any real length to the holster, whereas if you wound up even a bit short, it would show in how the gun fits in there (like bottoming out with a bit more trigger showing than your pattern called for.) Of course you could then draw the pattern to bring a bit more leather back up on the next one. Also, if you make the cut straight enough (say on a bandsaw) you could put the sectioned off slide back on. Maybe drill a hole in each for a dowel. You'd lose some material (the blade kerf) but you could whittle a spacer out of wood to stick between the two in order to get it back if it were that critical. Or just buy a second Commander dummy and be done with it :-) Paul

As far as I know, there isn't one. Pretty hard to believe isn't it? A Commander dummy will work, as the dust covers are the same length. You'll need to leave the toe of the holster open, so the longer slide will stick out during wet forming. If you wanted to do a closed toe holster, you could cut .75 inch off of the Commander dummy, thus making your own Officer's mold. Paul

Glad I could help. I should mention that the 8-10 split to 8 oz. was nice, I'd say about half would have been usable for a rough out as is. But getting it split from 10-12 oz. was less than $4 extra. It took exactly two weeks from the time of ordering until it arrived at my door in AZ. Shipping was steep for me ($43), but seeing you're in PA, it should be quite a bit less. Paul

That's a sweet looking holster. Looks like a dark brown of some sort on the main body. If I remember right, you use W&C primarily, so I'm guessing their russet skirting on the reinforcement/belt loop. What finish are you using? Paul

I use their russet skirting leather for holsters and mag pouches. I just got a new piece in last week actually. Last time I had them split an 8-10 oz. back to be even at 8 oz. This time I had them split a piece of 10-12 down to an even 8 oz. That was to make sure the entire piece has a smooth flesh side and can be used for a rough out if need be. Also, you'll want to have them "holster" it. That's where they press the leather between rollers to firm up the temper. There's no extra charge for holstering. As Jackd942 said, get it as a back. It's more per sq. foot, but less overall. Figure an average side at 25 feet has about 5 feet of belly, so you're getting 20 feet of usable. With a back you're getting just the 20 feet, and shipping 20% less weight to boot. If you want the belly for pattern making, they'll sell you a belly for 12 bucks. That way, you're only paying around $2.40 per foot for the belly, instead of full price, AND they've done the work of removing the belly for you. Of course the belly will be a "Tannery Run" so luck of the draw on quality, but for the price difference, who cares. Also, W&C calls their #1 grade "Standard," #2 is "Utility," and #3 is "Special." Paul

Nice work Tony! Good to see you back. I remember when you posted your first carved holster. Looks like you've really taken to it. I especially like the Indian Motorcycles one! Paul

Angelus is in Santa Fe Springs Ca. I don't know how far that is for you to drive. Here's their "Where to Buy" page with some distributors in California, including the L.A. area: http://angelusshoepolish.com/pages/where-to-buy Paul