LCoomer

Thanks all! Those are great ideas; I'll give them a try.

Hi all, I'm working on a set of spur straps, and I'd like to tool them with holly berries and leaves, and/or something else Christmas themed. I'm just not finding really good patterns through with Google; all I've gotten is Tandys holly pattern, but it doesn't have berries with it. If a pattern doesn't exist, I'm sure I can figure out how to add them in, but I don't want to reinvent the wheel. Does anyone have a pattern they would be willing to sell/share, or have a place I could look for one? Cheers, Luke

Thanks!

+1 That's fantastic work too.

Here are a couple of the holsters I've made. The brown one is my personal holster, and the colorful one I made for a friend.

Hey Y'all, I've already asked a couple questions (which were answered promptly by some incredibly helpful people), and posted a little of my work, but I'm finally getting around to my intro post. I'm out in Baker City, OR, and I've been tooling leather off and on for about 8 or 9 years. I started it as a 4-H project and was lucky enough to have a phenomenal instructor who spent her life making saddles and anything else you can use leather for. I'm currently in college at Oregon State University, which has gotten in the way of leather working, but I'm managing to get back into it. Funny how you can make time when people start offering cash. I've made just about anything up to rifle scabbards, but most of my work is holsters. I love making practical items that I know will last for years. That being said, I've got a ways to go yet. Looking forward to learning from y'all, and I hope I can return the favor some day. Take care, Luke

Here are a few holsters I have made this spring and summer. All three designs are custom made, and the holsters are all custom fit to the guns. Any comments and constructive criticisms would be welcomed! The first one is an OWB for a Ruger LCR. This one is an OWB for a FM Hi-Power in 9mm. Here is an IWB for a S&W M&P9 Shield. I made this one for a buddy in Scout Cavalry, hence the sabers. Finally, as a bonus, is a 1911 holster I made a while ago from Al Stohlmans Holster Book. Thanks for looking, and happy tooling!

Thank you for the advice everyone, I really appreciate how helpful you all are. I ended up using neatsfoot oil, and finished with Angelus acrylic finish, and I'm very happy with the results. I'm putting the finished projects up tonight for y'all to see, if you want.

Hello everyone! I've been tooling leather for a few years, but this is my first post. I'm currently getting back into leatherworking after a 3 year hiatus and I have a question: I've seen some people mention oiling leather, particularly on holsters, and then coating with neat-lac. Can anyone give me a little more information on that? I've never treated a leather before applying the finish, so I'm a little out of my comfort zone. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!