immiketoo

Thanks Mike. I appreciate you comments! The overall holster is ok but I'm glad it needed to be re-done. I tweaked a few things on the next one and of course it turned out better. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that's transposed a holster. My dad said he wanted both holsters, but I'm not sure why. If he doesn't want it, I would be happy to to donate to a former brother in blue. Tan in my case actually.. Either way, here is the correct side version of the holster that is almost finished. I just need to stitch up the side and punch and finish the hole and its done!

That's one hell of an edge finish...

No you havent. There is still something wrong with your security certificate. Sorry, but that gives me bad vibes and I'll not be visiting your site.

Thanks Phil, I am always open to suggestions and advice to improve. And you're right. Now I know to l,ook for the proper side before I start cutting!

I made the pattern myself and everything is hand stitched. It was supposed to be a righty cross draw but messed up and it ended up a lefty cross draw. Since I will be re-making it, I'm also going to adjust the belt loop holes a bit. I finished it with atom wax and I learned a lot about pattern making and that I really want a sewing machine! Also, its for a 4 inch 1911 not the 5 inch thats stuck in it now.

Thats cool. It just looks really pointy. I'd worry it would curl, but you can always trim it if it did.

Nice work. I'm curious about how pointy the strap is.

How do you make the box? Can you post pics of the box before the leather is applied? When do you tool? pre or post application to the box? Amazing work.

It does look good. First I've seen of that style in leather too.

Hey David, What do you use to finish the seat? Is it water resistant or do you advise keeping the seat covered in the rain?

Thanks! I saw thatone but it didn't look like a punch so I skipped it. Good find though!

Thats good cause I banged my new weaver punch into my granite slab. Idiot.

Can you post the link? I can not find it to save my life

Nice seat. What do you use for a final finish? Is your leather soft or hard? I'm curious because I wonder how the leather will wear or withstand sweat or weather. Either way, its an awesome creation!

I wonder if you did it like leather armor. heat the water to 175-180 wet then form so it becomes very hard, then finish when dry?

Dont get discouraged or offended. Its a great first effort and everyone here is offering opinions in an effort to improve. I know exactly how you feel since I made my first thing only two months ago. I had many of the same issues, and there are people here who have been doing this for 30-40 years! Nice job, Now do it again, but better

I've seen that very show myself. And I noticed that logo as well. Its a cool look IMO.

Misty, I'd try the Feibings Atomwax. I've used that on some recent holsters and water literally beads off of it. I'm not sure how it would react to sweat etc, but it might be worth a try. Mike

Ron, I can almost guarantee a fid is too big for that project. I have been instructed by those here in the know that the smallest awl available is the proper way to start your stitching, and that advice has really improved the appearance and strength of my products. Here's the link to the edge finishing thread BTW. Good luck on your next project! Your current one should serve you well. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=18101 Mike

I really like the shape of that. What's the final size going to be? My mom asked me to make her a purse and I'm looking for a good design. This might be it.

Ron, you can use a round punch of the correct radius to cut the inside corners, and I use a circle template and a sharp knife for outside corners. Also, I use a series of straight cuts instead of trying to cut the curve. It makes a neater cut IMO. 2. It looks like you made your holes a bit big, and there's not a lot of leather left outside of the stitch. This might be your answer. Also, are you using a softer leather? Veg tanned? Was it wet or damp when you started stitching? This could also cause your hole distortion. 3. I've heard you should use roughly four times the distance of what needs to be stitched, but someone else could probably answer better. I'm still trying to figure this out as well. 4. Yes, you can. You need to start about two stitches back from your last stitch where you ran out, then trim the original thread after you've sewn past it. Al Stohlman's book on stitching has a great explanation of this. 5. Go to the edge slicking tutorial by Bob Park on this forum for how to slick edges. Leather weight doesn't really matter much. Hope this helps, Mike

Thanks Phil, the skull is the symbol from the Punisher comic book.

So I decided I wanted something fun for Halloween this year and I have always been a fan of the Punisher, so I took the opportunity to play with the skull. Here are a few pics of my process. I really had fun with this one, and I'm pleased with how well the finished product came out considering how rough it looks in the pictures.

No problem. I didn't realize you made a pouch style since you mentioned a welt. Have you glued everything together before you try drilling or stitching? That may help. Thanks on the border. It took a bit of practice before I could hit my sheath with the stamp. Very scary!

Looks great! Thats a great pattern. Are there any modifications for 1911?