Double Daddy

Great work, Dwight. I agree with CaptQuirk...the hammer thongs are nice on those types of holsters.

PlinkerCases...great craftsmanship!...I have an old Wostenholm Scheffield bowie that needs a sheath...this is great inspiration to that task. A little clarification, if you don't mind...I can't make heads or tails of where the strap in the lower right corner of this pic went off to...

I learn best depending upon what mood I'm in at the time. If I just wanted to watch and take my own notes (research degree/background has given me lots of practice at that), the videos like Particle's and others weren't too bad (other than the time-lapse one posted elsewhere)...other times, I might want to glean a person's knowledge and perspective while they showcase their methods, particularly if they've been doing the skill for decades that I'm trying to emulate, like in the case of Sam Andrews...I listen when he speaks because there's much to learn from what he says and he's been successful in this industry. The rest...I just watch and pick what I like and disregard the rest. Nearly anyone can make a video and cast it onto the Web for the world to view...and plenty of folks can make a leather container for a firearm and call it a holster...but ultimately, it's up to the viewer to determine who's worth their time and qualified (in their opinion) to proffer technical advice. I think the resulting product and success in the industry speaks for itself.

Straight-up craftsmanship, Bolt...as always...and that ragged piece of "scrap" leather you chose for a back drop was a nice touch as well.

Now I'm REALLY curious...exactly what program DO you use to draw up those fancy patterns?...cause they look great! I'm creating all of mine (using AutoCAD) in a "master" DWG file, with all the layers and settings in one location...testing various prototypes as i go along to check stitch lines, "curve appeal", etc...once all is copacetic, then I'll create a pdf file of each pattern. My access to AutoCAD is limited to my employer's software and their permission granted to me to work on my own stuff at lunch...there's no way I could afford AutoDesk's products on my own dime. I do, however, have the free version of DraftSight (2D only) on my home PC...but I honestly haven't had time to tackle the slight learning curve for it (appears to be mostly command-icon-layout related). It does handle DWG and DXF files and I believe there's a way to convert to PDF, much like AutoCAD.

I'm with ol' Sanch on the lack of a complex on my part, Jeff...feel free to elaborate further, as your time allows, on your theory/method in achieving the results shown in the first picture. From the looks of it, you're running, what, about 80/20, outside/inside...is that a fair guesstimation? Aside from the variance in handgun thicknesses, I figure this pattern would give you a "pooched up" front panel once things are sewn together, prior to molding vs a traditional 50/50 pancake that would lay flat on the bench...correct? My questions/concerns lie in stitch line placement with this method...maybe its the lack of coffee or the 6yr old twin girls...just not seeing it. I'm now in the process of re-CAD'ing (is that a word?) all of my holster patterns for consistency since they were getting a little disheveled in appearance and style..."back to the drawing board", you might say...would be nice to incorporate this comfort feature into the designs. As always, your insight is most appreciated!

I'm game...I'll kickstart this old thread :-) My first project (circa early/mid 2014) was some EDC leather for a buddy of mine...an IWB holster for a stainless Springfield GI 1911...dark brown with white thread...all hand sewn with border stamping and a custom heavy 1/8" Kydex clip (those FOMI things break when used on leather). Also made a snap-on double magazine carrier to match. The stitch line was a little off (as the senior posters on the forum here pointed out when I shared it back then) but I have since adjusted it for other builds and this rig is still in daily use and looks great. Not bad for a North GA hillbilly!

Sorry to revive an older thread...neat idears! Everybody keeps going on about cheap binder clips...I go to the local dollar huts (Tree/General) and get the wooden clothes pins by the 50pack for a couple bucks...must have two or three hundred of those things in a bin on my bench for holding holster, portfolio & wallet edges together...just the right amount of tension without leaving serious marks...SO LONG AS one lets the contact glue dry properly on both sides BEFORE assembly. This can be found on another thread elsewhere...an easy to build stamping surface can be had by going to Lowes/HD and getting a 12x12 granite tile, a same-sized paving stone and a tube of quality construction adhesive. Be generous with the glue...let it "slack" properly before joining both pieces...then allow proper time to dry (preferably in the sun outdoors due to the smell). I've been using mine for over 4 years for all sorts of stamping, hardware setting, etc...nary a crack to be had. I'm not a tool/supply snob when it comes to my work bench...Harbor Freight, Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, wherever...it's all got a place, I figure.

I use black and brown Sharpies and MarksALot markers for edge work...as touchup and boundary for my dye work...as well as for coloring in stamped letters (which I rarely do). Got the idea to use them from Particle (Eric Adams)...he demonstrates his use for them in several of his videos. Others probably have similar or varying methods...

Heirloom craftsmanship...great choice of colors (leather, exotics and thread)...very tastefully executed!

Very nice! And nice tool holders and work bench, as well...from what I can see :-)

Ditto what Dwight and JLS have proffered thus far...especially about HF and tools. My contact cement comes from Lowes (because its cheaper by the gallon and they're local to me)...I think my X-acto knife even came from Walmart (because that was where I just happened to be when I was lookin' for one)...my stamping "stone" is a 12" black granite tile Liquid Nail'd to a patio paver of like size (all purchased at HD & works marvelously for the marginal amount of stamping work that I do). Point being...I usually get what works for me without regard for professional trends (i.e. I personally have no need for a round knife or swivel knife). The only major purchase I have made has been my Cowboy CB3200 from Toledo Sewing Machine Co...the rest of my "arsenal" has been here and there and everywhere. Now...some of you veterans don't be throwin' stuff at me here...but...FYI: Tandy's Leather Outlet has discounted "Low Grade Veg Sides 4 to 6 oz." on sale right now for around $70...complete with barbed wire drag lines, domestic violence markings, snow chain scars, etc. Granted it's no good for production work but its a decent amount of square footage (16-17sf) readily available for practice, if a person wanted to invest in it. When you're done practicing and learning...throw the unsightly pieces you made from it to the dogs to enjoy for chew toys and get you some HO or W&C leather. http://www.tandyleatheroutlet.com/p-476-low-grade-veg-side-4-to-6-oz.aspx GOOD LUCK!

Nice craftsmanship! Great compliment to a fine handgun...

Positively stunning! I love the color choices and the contrast stitching...just the right amount of subtle stamping on that front shield piece...very classy!

Looks green to me, Josh...the color of envy Excellent craftsmanship...as usual!

Nice work! That wave pattern sure makes a nice belt, too! I'm kickin' tires, lookin' at one of those CB227R machines for myself...gonna need it in the moderate-to-near future...tuned for thin stuff like wallets 'n such that my CB3200 isn't set up for at the moment. I keep reading that these machines are like Lay's tater chips... Every post like this that I see keeps pushin' me in Cowboy Bob's direction...just a few more box tops and I'll have it Chris

Hello, everyone! I'm looking to do an equipment upgrade in the near future and I need a little guidance from those who have already taken this path... I currently set snaps, rivets, etc by hand (& hammer). Same thing with the Delrin makers mark that I've had since I started this little journey...I plan to upgrade to a metal one as part of this retooling. What do you suggest for a press-type machine that would handle those duties as an upgrade? Modified arbor press? I know the GoldStar press works with snaps and rivets...does anyone have experience using it with their makers mark? As always, the input and suggestions from this community is appreciated and helpful! Thanks in advance! Chris

Very nice! How about a close-up snapshot of your sewing machine setup (feet, bobbin area, etc)...I'm still fiddlin' with my machine (CB3200) some, amateur that I am, trying to decide which "correct" feet and other equipment I want to purchase. Any insight from my superiors is always welcome... Just when you have some spare time, of course...(don't you just HATE that term?..."spare time"...as if any of us workin' folks have it laying around in piles to simply pass out or waste) Thanks for the pic, JLS! Chris

Very nice, Dwight! I like that design...

Hey, JLS! Here's another of your patterns (a 5" 1911 Avenger style, strong side) that I modified to suit a particular situation...in this case, a two-tone, near-vertical angle cross draw. As always, your patterns, purchased or freely open-sourced, are most appreciated...as is your knowledge! Chris PS. Sorry for that last grainy pic...it's customer supplied "mirror selfie"...he wanted to show me how it fit. As you can see, I should have hustled harder to sell him a matching belt...but that 1-1/4" one will leave him some leeway in adjustment while driving, I guess.

Info is most appreciated...at any price!...at least in my mind :-) Thanks for the tutorial, JLS...very useful...as always!

As usual, Eric...excellent work!...very clean and useful design. JLS...I'm looking to make some of these leather covers myself. MUJI is a specific brand alternative to Field Notes for the note books...lower price point, stitched together instead of stapled and, from the reviews I've read, have "fountain pen friendly" paper (if one is into that sort of thing). I've ordered some from Amazon to test. Now...to settle on a cover pattern...Hmmm? Decisions, decisions... Chris

Awful glad I logged on today...very nice work, Bobby! That's a great alternative to the usual black color for such rigs. Very inspiring...

A fine 1911 ridin' in an equally fine carry rig...makes me plum giddy! Beautiful work...great craftsmanship!

Dwight or Red Cent...a big fat "Thank You" to the first of you guys to post a pic of your version of that. I don't usually encourage thumb breaks...but I have this one customer that insists upon them for everything I make for him. Since the blasted things aren't my "bag" and they aren't called for a lot, I honestly haven't put much thought into them...the thin Kydex never crossed my mind. Thanks, gentlemen!