snubbyfan

Looks good, that's gonna burnish nice. If I did a lot of belts, I'd use your system. I just got a holster sanded.

Whether the flesh sides dyed or not's up to your own personal taste. I think it looks pretty good. Personally, I prefer to dye both sides but that's just me. I'm looking forward to seeing it stitched.

Very nice. I like that arrowhead weave. Only problem is that now ya gotta make a holster and mag pouch with the same pattern.

From my wood worker days, I've got 3 kinda power sanders. A vertical disc, horizontal belt and a sanding drum chucked into my drill press. For a long straight edge the belt sander works best. On an edge with inside curves, I use the sanding drum. I also do some hand sanding. For that I use a sanding block with 150 grit. Belt sanded this one. Used the sanding drum on this one. Hand sanded the belt with 150 grit on a sanding block.

Not really innovative but here's a pair of knife sheaths I made for a Cherokee friend. I traded them for a LifeTrak watch. Just finished this one for a Damascus Bowie.

It's my cast resin, stainless steel lined demon skull drinkin' mug. We set up at area fairs and festivals and my wife got a good deal on a box of them. They all sold in one day, except one.

I use construction paper. Often I'll make a construction paper mock up, send a picture to the customer for approval then start cuttin' leather.

Thanks guys, glad ya like my edges, they do take a while. Video of the finished product.

Finish explained. Damp sponge method, the leather was left damp too. Finished sheath. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=65104

On these I used Fiebings Professional Oil Dye in saddle tan. How I prepare the leather for dyeing. Applying the dye.

Nicely constructed, conceals well right out in plain sight. I like the cut out for the grip and the covered trigger. I only question the use of a stud for closure. It looks good but I'd think it could cause fumblin' when you need to get your Ruger out to stop a threat. Maybe a magnetic closure instead?

Just finished a knife sheath dyed mahogany. Beautiful Damascus blade. He's a lefty and wanted a lefty sheath. Gratuitous edge shot.

Very nice, both the knife and the sheath.

Sometimes I'll groove, sometimes I'll just leave it. Depends on the look I'm going for. I'll always groove inside stitches, like inside a knife sheath or a holster. On outside stitches, I'll wack the finished stitch line with a mallet, whether or not it's grooved.

Latest holster off the bench. It's for a 3" S&W K frame. Starting with the construction paper pattern. I put it on my belt to show how it'll ride. Backside showing the clip. Gratuitous edge shot.

On this I used Fiebings Professional oil dye in saddle tan, let that dry, a light coat of neatsfoot oil, let that dry, then a coat of Tan Kote.

How I use Tan Kote as a finish.

I use it pretty much as Lobo described. After molding, I clean the leather with rubbing alcohol, then dye. This pretty much dries out the leather. After the dye dries for a coupla days, I use one paper towel to wipe on some Neatsfoot and another to wipe off the excess and leave it to dry for a coupla more days. Then it's time for the final top coat.

Very nice.

I've got some follow along video series on holster making, from making a pattern to buffing the final finish. It covers the tools, leather, dyes, finish, edge burnishing techniques, stitching and other stuff. There's lotsa ways to get the same results, these are just how I do it. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOM3hbruUKHov9kquIxXKlA/videos Generally I use 9-10 ounce for holsters, 6-7 ounce for pocket holsters.

Ya need something to put under the leather when you're punching the stitch holes. A cheap plastic cutting board from the Dollar General works for me. I also get good results using gum tragacanth for burnishing edges. The others pretty much covered the other stuff I thought of. Lookin' forward to seein' what you come up with.

I like it, looks good.

That's a nice lookin' belt there.

Me likey. That's just the thing for a point of purchase at fairs and festivals. Most everybody has a cell phone and keys. I've taken the year off from setting up a vendors table but I've got ideas for next year and that'll fit right in.

I have personally found that my best selling item at area fairs and festivals is a simple unfinished leather pouch. I make them out of 2-3 ounce milled veg. tan. I also have samples of my work and hand out lotsa cards. Most of my sales are from orders after the event's over. Some are placed on the spot.