MdB Leatherworks

Which is why, in the end, I decided to go ahead and do a tutorial. I realize that it's entirely possible that I overreacted on a gut level about the whole thing, but it just made my teeth itch for some reason. Hell, I might go ahead and just post the pattern and be done with it. As for the design itself, I didn't copy anyone. I sat down with a pistol and a clean sheet of paper a couple years ago and made an OWB pancake holster for my G23. I experimented with different degrees of cant, different levels of rise, sweat shields, no sweat shields, made duct tape mock ups (I saved A LOT of leather that way!) and finally settled on something that worked for me. When I recently got the CZ 82, I made the same OWB holster for it too. But after a bit I started to wonder if I could adapt that pattern into an IWB design, and the picture is the result. Does it surprise me that I reinvented the wheel? Nope, not a bit. But I came by that particular design honestly. You know, as I read what I just typed I realized what set my hackles up about this whole thing- the hours of work and experimentation I put into getting where I am with it translated into an emotional investment. Hmmm.... Thanks for helping me see that, K-man. I think I'll do a write-up of my design process AND post the pattern. After all, if I sell any of these it'll be my skill that makes the sale- not the design.

It's not necessarily a cz82 pattern- I use it for other pistols as well (in that size range). I see your point though.

I think that what I'll do is write up a tutorial on basic holster design and construction. After all, I learned how to make holsters by reading tutorials that someone else wrote- it's only right that I help others get started. I have no issue teaching someone how to come up with their own design, but I won't give away the ones I developed. Thanks for the advice!

In another forum I posted a picture of a holster I made: Among the "Nice job" and "good work" posts, therre was this one: "Actually, that is one beautiful holster. Nice work. VERY nice, in fact. For those of us who can follow directions, did you ever consider open-sourcing a design, and publishing it as a PDF? I, for one, would likely be able to make it...it's the design process where I would fall down. Devil's in the details, y'know. A series of community designed holsters for our beloved CZ82 would likely be a welcome addition." Something just irritated me about this one. Here was my reply: "I dunno... my leatherwork is kind of a "fallback position" if I should ever lose my job. I'm not sure I want to give away a design that I might have to rely on to feed my kids and pay my bills. I might think about selling a DIY kit, though... " I thought about it a bit and then posted this next: "I'd also be willing to answer any holster design questions anyone has, or give advice on making them. After all, people helped ME when I needed it." Here was the reply I got: "Well, I did say *a* design. A few donations like that from a few members (XXXXXXX, for example, has also made holsters) and we'd have a library of designs from which to choose. The library could be expanded to include holsters for common pistols like the 82/83, various 75, etc. Bottom line...your design is nice. However, your leatherworking skills are magnificent...it looks, not just "homemade" servicable, but beautiful. Even giving away the design, it is unlikely to noticeably impact your potential sales, because of your skill and the obvious quality of your product. Anyway, the open source thing was just an idea. And, judging from the almost immediate response, it seems to be something that would be welcomed by the community. Heck, if I knew how to design a holster I'd start the ball rolling, myself." I then said: "I'd happily do a tutorial on holster making and design, if that would help." Am I wrong here? I get where he's coming from- that forum is about a certain pistol, and there aren't a lot of folks making a holster for it. Having an open source design WOULD benefit them. On the other hand, how can you expect someone to just give away a design they developed? I get his point about skill, but it still doesn't sit right somehow...

That's exactly what I use, too.

Go to http://www.armourarchive.org and ask for Halberds. He's from TX and he's done a project very mu ch like what you're talking about. He's a genius at metalwork.

What weight leather are you using?

Thanks, folks! The bottle was both saturated and lined with wax. I'm thinking of trying Envirotex on the next ones (so people can drink alcohol from them).

Hi there! My name is Michael Kreitzer, and I live near Canton Ohio. Some of you know me as Michael de Buslingthorpe on the Armour Archive. I've been doing leatherwork for about two years or so. I started by making bottles, then moved to pouches and armor, and now I'm starting on holsters. I've been reading this forum for about a week or so and I gotta say, some of you folks put me in utter awe! :biggrin: Here are some pics of my work: