wizard of tragacanth

What kind of project is this? I may have missed it in previous posts.

Gorgeous! I love everything about that knife and sheath. Nick

BTW, many of my "belt slide" holsters are "flat back" a.k.a "saddle" style. They are the most comfortable design, to ride on you hip. However, on thick, blockish guns, using a flat back requires extreme molding of the front. It can be done. I've done it but I think your 60/40 front to back is reasonable... and really a true pancake is molded 50/50 and not that much of a disadvantage. Why? Because with a BTB there is very little leather around the perimeter of the holster... and in fact, a larger perimeter would get in the way of placement between belt loops, effectively narrowing the real estate. Whereas extra leather, such as an ample sweat shield, does help to keep the gun from digging in and does not limit placement.

Nice work. I would be inclined to "age" the band.

Very nice! What kind of foundation or frame (or whatever it is called) did you use?

Regarding vacuum forming... I got some of the smallest vacuum storage bags from Amazon (which came with a very poor manual pump). I paid around $10 a few years ago, so now probably $12. The smallest bag is still double the size that I need for a handgun, so I just fold the bag in half with the valve on top and it works great. The cheap plastic hand pump was wholly inadequate. I simply use my home vacuum cleaner. I place a green scrubby sponge directly under the valve opening and tuck a flat edge of the holster slightly under a corner of the sponge. The hose on the vacuum fits flat around the outside of the valve on the bag. Takes just a few seconds to evacuate all of the air from the bag. Seal the bag with the cap. Lube the outside of the bag with spray silicone and work in the contours with the modeling tools of your choice. Nick

All this time, I thought that I was slicking my edges... turns out that I was actually burnishing them. Couldn't sleep the first two nights after finding this out but on the third night, finally said to myself, "What's done is done" and drifted off into a deep sleep. Nick

Nice work. There are a couple of things that I would do differently. One, make the sweat guard a little longer (taller), to go maybe 1/4" above the slide, for better comfort. Also, I would not do any molding inside the trigger guard. Had this discussion on another forum. IWB or BWB style holsters are cinched down with one's belt. There is no need for additional retention. It could possibly interfere with the draw. Nick

Another disadvantage of suede is that it collects dirt and grit, which can scratch your gun. Also, it is difficult to clean out, especially in a closed toe holster.

As an intermediate level holster maker (I don't know how else to describe me... not an expert?) and having always used Tandy diamond chisels, I wanted to get real serious about improving my product and considered it a good idea to get some better irons. I read many reviews and found Nigel's website. In the end, I went with Crimson Hides Japanese style irons in 5mm. I was extremely impressed with the quality and ease of working with these irons. I have only done a couple of holsters using them with .040" twisted waxed polyester thread from Maine Thread. If I had it to do over again, I would have stayed with 4mm and Crimson Hides Japanese style tooth. Just guessing but, 5mm would probably be fine for rugged dog collars. Would highly recommend Crimson Hides irons though. They turned out a little less expensive than I thought because of the conversion rate, US to Singapore. I don't know if this was any help. Nick

Sorry about the confusion. I am getting rather feeble minded, lately. Yes, Fiebings Pro Black is what I meant. I wouldn't use anything else. Nick

Use Tandy Pro Dye, there is virtually no rub-off. USMC Black... nightmare... but it is black. The Pro Black has a bluish, purplish sheen at certain angles, or so I have found. I still use it though.

KDB, Thanks! That's good news. I ordered a S&W Bodyguard 2.0

KDB... Did you get this gun mold? If so, how is it? I would like to order one, if you say it is good quality.

I have never made a purse but just thinking about it, I think I would use neutral shoe polish. I use neutral shoe polish on my holsters. It's something that the end user could easily replenish and without damaging anything. I wouldn't use Resolene on dress shoes.