holsters with a thumb-brake

[Jim L.]

SKIP I HAVE SEEN THEM SEWN IN BETWEEN THE TWO LAYERS OF LEATHER

AND ALSO ON THE BACK OF THE TOP PC OF THE THUMB BREAK.

I HAVE MADE THEM FROM A HACKSAW BLADE, COULD NOT FIND SPRING STEEL

TO MAKE THEM WITH.

Hi, Stonehedge Leather in San Diego (619) 223-4211 has the spring inserts used for thumb-break snap applications. That is where I get mine, they are the same ones the big gun leather companies use. Stonehedge ships world wide. JL

[Lobo]

Trying to use spring steel to cut your reinforcements from is likely to be an exercise in frustration. The "spring" in the steel comes from the tempering of the steel (taking the steel to high temperature, just short of the liquidus, then quenching it in cold water).

Properly tempered spring steel is very difficult to cut, especially with hand tools. Power tools will have the effect of heating up the metal, which destroys the tempering.

The thumb-break requires some reinforcement, but it is not subjected to overwhelming force in use. I have used 24-gauge sheet metal for years with no reported problems. It is readily available at any sheet metal shop, cuts easily with hand tools, and is plenty strong for the job. It also allows some contouring of the tab on the thumb-break, which I use in some holster applications.

If you are near a lumber yard, the steel shipping bands around bunks of lumber make a good source of material. Most lumber retailers just throw it away, so you should be able to get all you can use for free.

[ArcherBen]

I'm currently in design mode and nearing construction on a holster with a retention strap & thumb break. This will be the first holster I've put a thumb break on, so I could use some advice. The thumb break portion of my design will be built out of two layers of 7-8 oz leather. I had decided that was going to be stiff enough, but now you guys have got me wondering. Is the spring steel reinforcement absolutely necessary, or am I going to be okay without it where I've got the stiffness of tow layers of 7-8 oz?

[dbusarow]

I'm currently in design mode and nearing construction on a holster with a retention strap & thumb break. This will be the first holster I've put a thumb break on, so I could use some advice. The thumb break portion of my design will be built out of two layers of 7-8 oz leather. I had decided that was going to be stiff enough, but now you guys have got me wondering. Is the spring steel reinforcement absolutely necessary, or am I going to be okay without it where I've got the stiffness of tow layers of 7-8 oz?

My opinion is that you wouldn't even notice a thin piece of metal (say 20ga or thinner) between two layers of 7/8 so you may as well put it in there. It can't hurt and it might help.

I haven't built a thumb break holster though so accept this advice with a grain of salt.

Dan

[Lobo]

I'm currently in design mode and nearing construction on a holster with a retention strap & thumb break. This will be the first holster I've put a thumb break on, so I could use some advice. The thumb break portion of my design will be built out of two layers of 7-8 oz leather. I had decided that was going to be stiff enough, but now you guys have got me wondering. Is the spring steel reinforcement absolutely necessary, or am I going to be okay without it where I've got the stiffness of tow layers of 7-8 oz?

The first problem you will likely encounter will be trying to set a snap through two layers of 7-8 oz. leather, which will be nearly 1/4-inch thick. Most snaps have tube sections much shorter than that. I suggest putting your skiver to work, reducing the thickness by half, then putting a strip of 24-gauge sheet metal in between, drill the hole for your snap, then set the snap.