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Thanks for the response Benlilly1........Rory

Hello All, I tried to make one of the Al Stohlman "playing card" cases from the Volume One: Art of Making Leather Cases book and had quite a bit of trouble trying to hand stitch the "Miter Box" type stitching using the larger blunt tip stitching needles. I am sure they are the wrong type for this application as the larger eye would stretch open the hole too much, but do they make smaller blunt tip needles for finer work? I was under the impression that when hand stitching you would want to use the blunt tip needles to prevent piercing the thread and causing knots as you stitch, however I do know harness needles and such are sharp...............Rory

Bob, just re-read your post. Yes, I do tend to re-wet with a damp sponge while working and most of the time I go over the whole thing again each time I do. No, I do not wet form any holsters. Thanks again......Rory

Hello again Everyone. Thanks for all the responses. I know, I have shamed Will Ghormley on that holster . I think you guys are right. I have questioned myself on whether or not I have the proper moisture content (too much) after waiting. I do get the jagged torn edges a lot and not so much burnishing. I do try to wait until the original color returns, but may still be too soon each time. Must still be too spongy. Thanks for all the comments. Luke-Thanks for the response. Yes, I have Tech Tips/Leather Tools/How to Carve Leather/ABC's of Leatherwork/How to Make Holsters/Etc.and several other Al Stohlman books, but not all of them. I love the drawings and illustrations...........Rory

Hello Pete. Thanks for responding and here is an example, even though I hate posting my carving. The background in the upper right areas shows best that it is nearly flush with the surrounding leather that should be in relief. Don't pay any attention to the poor carving and bad stamping outside of the beveling and backgrounding (just kidding, I need the criticism to see what else I am doing wrong ) I cant seem to get away from the choppy swivel knife cuts. I think I need to strop more...........Rory

Hello All, Not sure of this has been discussed very much or not, but it seems that I cannot for the life of me get my backgrounds and bevels to "stay down" after tooling. My carving is choppy and needs a lot more practice and this is bad enough, but this backgrounding and beveling issue just adds to my frustration. I don't know if the dye application is introducing too much moisture back into the leather causing it to swell back up or if I am not getting proper moisture content to begin with and the compression of the leather while tooling is not proper. Also, do you leave the swivel knife cuts open or smooth them back tight with the modeling spoon? I have seen this done by some and wondered if it affected the results. Any help would be great. Thanks........... Rory

Thanks guys. SooperJake, thats a great looking Sig you got there! You will have to show us your holster when you complete it. I am not very good with altering or making my own holster designs. LederRudi, Yes I did line the holster. The lining leather I ordered from Tandy and I believe it was just called "lining leather". It is really thin, but very strong. I have lined holsters, like theWill Ghormley "El Dorado" Rig, with 4-5 oz. leather as he suggests. The lacing pattern was provided with the pattern pack. I can't remember what it was called. Let me know if any more questions.

Thanks Wishful and thanks for looking!

Hello All, Here is a holster I made recently from the Will Ghormley 100th Anniversary 1911 Holster pattern pack. This one is called the "Frazier". Thanks for the patterns Will!........Rory

Sorry,forgot the other photo.

Hello all. Here are a few phone photos of a quick, fully lined, phone case I threw together for my Droid Incredible. FYI, If I were to make another, I would make the finger grab hole deeper on the back for more grip. Probably should have used a black thread, but I really like this "natural" artificial sinew I bought from a Kentucky vendor at a Rendezvous in Indiana. The Tandy sinew does not seem to be waxed enough for me and does not lay as flat or pull tight as this stuff does..........Rory

Looks great!! Just a thought, but why not cut the length of the "sides" (not including stitch area) of the pouch longer so the longer portion at bottom folds inward like a cardboard box and have the main flap and "bottom side" of the pouch (where you stitch it on) be one piece that folds around the side flaps, inside along the backing plate then up and over to create the flap? I'm sure this made no sense, but its hard to describe in words .......