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Next up... getting ready to stitch up (maybe lace...depends on how lazy I'm feeling when the glue dries) a range pouch for sub compact autos. Still working out some design concepts, but this one's working out nice so I think I'll keep it

I have a customer wanting the zipper and toe on a soft long gun case replaced. The toe is made of a rubbery / plastic material. I've never dealt with these toes. Nor do I know where to get them (this one is tearing). Any help on replacing the toe and where I might get the toe would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! PS I tried to insert images but keep getting error message stating I'm limited to 1.46MB. My .jpg is only 44KB

Howdy good folks! I'm new to the forum, though I've been surfing through here several times. I'm new to leather work, too. I've found this to great past time/hobby for me. It mixes with my interests in Cowboy action shooting. Here's a few things that I've made in the past year.... My first major project was a travel bag. It was a gift to a friend. It was made from oil tanned leather and saddle stitched. I made the pattern from pictures I'd seen on the internet of similar classic traveler's bags. It was quite a challenge to start from the drawing board, to finished product. The picture is of the bag before the straps were cut to length and punched for the buckles. My next project was a rifle sling...again as a gift for a friend. But, it did lead to an order for six more! The sling is also my design. Nothing fancy, but it is made with a continuous 1" belt strap. The strap has a decorative top with flor de lis and shield cut-outs. There is an underlayer of suede on the cut outs. The back piece of the strap is padded with neoprene, and covered in suede. The border stitching for the cut-outs was done on a early 1900's produciton Singer sewing machine that belonged to my wife's mother. It has a motor, but I turned the drive by hand to control the stitch pattern. The top and back piece are made from 4 to 5 oz. leather, and neoprene padding is added between these layers to cover the "bump" made by the continuos strap which runs between them. The top and back pieces are saddle stitched on the edges. The picture is a close up of the flor de lis. I have since gotten much better at controlling my border stitching. My next undertaking was a set of custom mocassins for my daughter. They are modeled after a pattern sold by Tandy leather, but I had to custom fit them to her foot, as she has a foot much smaller than any size pattern available. The rose cut-out was her request, and my design, based on tribal rose patterns that I'd seen. The mocs are made from oil tanned leather, and the under lay of the rose cut-out and the toe-cap overlay is hair on calf. Again the border stitching was done on the Singer. After I finished projects for other folks, I finally got around to making something for me! Here is a set of holsters taken from a Will Ghormley pattern. I used them this weekend in a practice session at the range, and I'm pleased with them. I'll be making another set for another pair of revolvers that I have, soon...but likely a different style holster. I also made the spur straps with a pattern from Mr. Ghormley. I made the canvas ammo belt, and badge holder on my own. Christmas is approaching, so I'll be making some purses and such for gifts this year. Santa will be busy! Stay safe my friends... Troy

In my last Leather History post, I talked about Orvo (Arvo from Norway - or Finland?) Ojala - the fellow who worked leather for hollywood quick draw and coach to the western gunfighters in movies. Well his old shooting buddy is my mentor - Dave Shelgren. Dave is nearing 90 now and takes great pleasure in spending time teaching me more and more. Dave used to do all manner of leather work for all kinds of folks, from John Wayne to Jerry Lewis and hundreds more. Some of John Bianchi's designs are derived from Dave. He's had a hand in many present day holster designs and does some incredible work. Dave sold his business to Bret at Circle KB in Salmon Idaho some years back. As most of us in leather work, we take odd jobs to keep the leather habit in full swing. Dave, with a very interesting history, at one time was the go-to dog food guy for Joe Bonanno at his compound near Tucson. Bonanno (spelling?) would buy 1/2 ton of Purina at a time, and Dave would deliver to the double fenced property. He tells me the dogs would roam the in between fences area ready to catch an intruder. As he delivered the puppy chow, the goons would have Dave frisked. He'd tell me he could drop 3-4 of them before they even got near their hardware. Just like a prison, those guys who play rough, usually end up in a cage of some sort. As I have more interesting tidbits, I'll pass them on. I'll tell you how he helped the developing Monsanto while a farmer. Lots of history from this fellow.

this is my first holster pls let me know what you think thnx