SLP

How does the saying go? "Good artists borrow, great artists steal." I am in the process of "borrowing" the cowboy holster by Jim Simmons. Getting that loop to look right is a pain. Edit: In the spirit of keeping with the topic. I am using 6-7oz lined with 4-5oz.

Didn't mean anything by it. I just figured with your pattern making expertise, that you would do your own pattern for everything. The ones you do are really great. I try to make my own patterns, though I admit I "borrow"...heavily.

The real question is why is JLS bothering with the Tandy holster pattern thing?

I had a very similar question a while ago when I was working on a holster. Check out the link to that post. There was a lot of helpful information. I think the best idea was to tool, dye, stitch, form antique then tear out the stitches and stitch again to maintain white threads. I think a vacuum press would be helpful so you don'y have to use thumbs to get a little definition. I don't think you need a $400 setup. I recently got a Roarockit kit for $60 that works great.

I love the color! Very nice.

I love a good challenge, but c'mon. Ok, I guess I asked for it. I'm about to start on my third custom holster. It's for an old friend from military school. He said he really liked my holsters and wanted to buy one. He's sure he can drum up some business for me by showing off to his buddies in the bayou, although I'm so slow at this holster thing that I can't take any more orders. So I'm finally ready to get started and start talking to him about what he's looking for. Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 mag 7.5 inch barrel western holster. I now have the Bunkhouse Tools model. "I don't want oak leave though" he says. "I want a bear, standing up, growling, with some mountains in the background." And so ensues the onslaught of questions for the admirable and obliging gentlemen of my go to forum. 1. Pictorial Carving - Wow. That stuff is crazy! Ok, I've never done any animals before, but I think I have the bear down...sort of. Just worked from a photo I found online to make a quick test carving, but what about mountains? Where there are mountains, there are usually trees. Mr. Stohlman says I need a bunch of tools that haven't been sold for years. Does anyone have any suggestions on ideas to get me started. I don't really want to spend $100-$200 on figure carving tools, just yet. Any tutorials or tips would be greatly appreciated. 2. Cant Degree - That gun is massive! I suggested a crossdraw holster, again with my big mouth, but I really wouldn't want to give him a holster that he had to do stretches and yoga in order to be able to maneuver the gun out on his strong side. How much of a cant is really necessary to provide a comfortable crossdraw for a long revolver? Also, the gun is so long that every degree will cause the holster to stick further and further out to the rear. Can I get away with zero cant? That would be great. If he ever studies yoga, he could move it to his strong side. There's more, but I guess I can leave it at that for now. Thanks guys. Here is a picture of my practice "bear."

Dwight, That's a great idea. That would also solve my "these posts are too short!" problem. Do you use the cap posts or the posts that are designed for the other side with a flat end? I suppose one could also use rivet posts withe the ends opened up.

Thank you very much gentlemen. I guess its hard to carve a buffalo skull that isn't a bit rustic looking. I chose a font that I thought would go with the subject matter, even though it was a real pain in the butt.

That's incredible! I love it! Forgive my ignorance, but are the dimples on the cartridge loops purely decorative?

Beautiful rig! I love the irregularity of that texture.

That's very clean, Dwight! Your work is always inspirational. When I first got started I really wanted to make a shoulder rig. Haven't got around to it yet, though I haven't been in the game very long. Anyway, thanks for sharing. Steve Patterson

I'm starting to get the hang of this holster thing down, though I definitely have a lot to learn. For instance, those darn wrinkles! Ugh! Anyway, here is my fourth holster. Making holsters was the sole reason I started to learn leather working. I'm totally hooked. This is the first piece I've actually sold. I don't count the one I did for my dad. I consider that family helping family. He asked me how much I would need to get started and make him a holster. Naively, I said $150. Ha! I had no idea. I had a few tools, but nowhere near what I needed to complete the holster I had in mind for him. This was a custom job for a guy I work with on occasion. He wanted something special for his Colt Delta Elite 10mm. This holster is 6-7oz. lined/laminated with 4-5oz. Hand stitched with #207 bonded nylon. Thumb break stiffener is buried between the two layers. The snap is covered by a skived down piece of leather, stitched into the strap. I found a picture of a buffalo skull online, and sketched up my template based on that. I hand carved the letters, didn't have small alphabet stamps and didn't like the fonts available. The filigree knife really came in handy on this one. Dyed with Fiebing's Pro Dye, gently painted around the edges of the skull and letters. Well, as usual, let me have it. The criticism offered by everyone on this site has vastly improved my work, and I welcome every bit. Thanks again for everyone's help and for all of your comments. If you are curious, here is a link to the one for my dad.

Hey Uncle Q. I was in also ignorant in the mystical ways of holster making not too long ago. I found a wealth of info on you tube, then had some questions that I could not find the answer to come on no matter how much I scoured the internet. That's where this forum came in. I joined, asked my question, and promptly received several valuable responses. the guys on here are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I would suggest doing a search on Google site specific for leatherworker.net. For example, if you want to know about pattern-making, I would search Google in this way: holster pattern making site:leatherworker.net You can try searching the site itself, but I found that Google usually returns better results. Not sure if the search function on the site has improved since the last update. If you don't find what you're looking for, just ask. I'll also post a link below to a YouTube playlist I've compiled with more than several useful videos. Most of all, have fun. It's extremely rewarding and the folks on here are always willing to offer up some constructive criticism. Hope to see some pictures soon. http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj1ASZQHk6RoMjPQBRRbg8BErecR424py

That is beautiful work! Also, that glisten along the edges did not go unnoticed. Very nice!

Thanks Dwight and Stu. Dwight, your tips and comments have helped me a ton. Thank you very much for your involvement on the forum. You are truly a blessing to all of us trying get a grip on this whole leather thing.

This is my third holster. It is my first attempt at a thumb break. The holster is 6-7 oz. lined/laminated with 4-5 oz. leather. Hand stitched with #207 bonded nylon (cashew color.) It's dyed with Fiebing's Professional Oil Dye (Light Brown), painted into background with a brush. I had a heck of a time with that thumb break! Now I know why a lot of people don't do them. The leather had to be skived down to fit the snap and stiffener, which is buried between the two layers. I skived down a small piece of leather to cover the back of the other part of the snap and protect the finish of the gun. I just didn't want to add the thickness of those plastic covers. It took me way to long, but it was a valuable learning process and is a gift for my dad, so I can justify spending so much time. Thanks to everyone on this forum for all of their help and tips. It is made for a Springfield Loaded 1911, and when I first pulled it out of the holster, the front sight was scraping out leather, so I remolded it with a sight channel. Now it works great! Not quite the retention of my last holster, but with the thumb break, I figure it's not that much of an issue. It can hold the loaded gun upside down, but will fall out if I shake it too much. So, thank you to everyone for your advice and tips. If you have any suggestions for my next one, please do tell. I'm about to start on another thumb break holster for a Colt Delta Elite 10mm. I welcome the criticism and have a thick hide. Ha, ok...dad humor. (I'm sure no one has ever said that one here before.) In case you were wondering, here are the links to my last two. Like I said, I have learned a lot from everyone here.

I love it! It's much cleaner, and I'm glad you guys can start getting some ad revenue. If you had ads before I had'nt noticed. Are the attached pictures on previos posts comming back?

Thanks Alex. Online, the only ones close to that small are pronged, not the brad hole. Are these the ones you've used?

Old thread, but figured I would post for anyone like me looking around for answers. I was having a similar problem, and was led to Ohio Travel Bag. On their web site they have a couple of new items. Two line 24 snap caps with 7/16 inch posts! Due to shipping costs and the need for everything RIGHT NOW (just need to finish this holster) I did not place the order. Unfortunately there are only two options at this time, black oxide and nickel plating. Both, I believe are solid brass and about $0.75 for one piece.

I was having a similar problem, and was also led to Ohio Travel Bag. On their web site they have a couple of new items. Two line 24 snap caps with 7/16 inch posts! Due to shipping costs and the need for everything RIGHT NOW (just need to finish this holster) I did not place the order. Unfortunately there are only two options at this time, black oxide and nickel plating. Both, I believe are solid brass and about $0.75 for one piece.

I just received 100 from jrm products. I called and spoke with Mariane. She was more than happy to let me order a small order of 100. That's way more than I needed, but at $0.15 a piece, it is well worth it. They have several options to choose from. After shipping it was $19. http://www.jrmclips.com/thumb-break-stiffeners.html

Thanks guys!

That is a great looking holster! Like Dwight, I have not had much luck with the basket weave, but that is truly inspiring! Suicide strap http://americancopmagazine.com/retiring-the-modern-day-suicide-strap/

Second holster. Thanks to all the help from the folks on this forum. A truly classy bunch. This is 6-7oz. Lined/laminated with 4-5 oz. A truly thick beast. Hand stitched with the thickest nylon I could find. #554 soft nylon, thought it was bonded when I ordered it, but turned out to be soft. Oh well. The gun didn't quite seat as far down as I had hoped, but the retention is great. I can shake that fully loaded 45 upside down without slipping, and when it's on the waist it draws great. Adjusted the pattern, and the one I'm working on now fared much better. My only real complaint is that the thread on the lining is starting to wear at the top of the holster at the trigger guard. I cut a grove,but that thread is so darn thick. I love the look of thick thread, but I had to scale back for my current build. Anyway, as usual, let me have it. All the criticism on the last one was greatly appreciated, as well as the positive feedback, I must admit. Thanks again, and in case you were wondering about #1, I've posted the link to that thread. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=67078

I know it's been a few years since anyone has posted on this thread, but I was looking for something better as well. While searching, I came across this site. They will make you a custom set with the font of your choice. http://lwleathers.com/product/customized-alphabet-letter-stamps-for-stamping-branding-embossing-leather-with-26-characters