Regis Report post Posted November 9, 2007 It appears that holsters that are press fitted/formed (hydralic press) are not carved & tooled. Does the tooling get badly distorted in forming? Does perhaps vacuum forming allow retention of tooling? Or, is it just impractical for some other reason on tooled holsters? I know that I can tool, fold, glue & sew a more"rounded" holster (more western style) but, does anyone tool and then use pressure to form? Thanks, Regis Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skipknives Report post Posted November 9, 2007 yes the patterns do suffer some what when forming in a vacuum(sheath expearence) holsters should be the same; if it is a free hand pattern you can touch it up after shaping,,,tooling: im not sure Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Craw Report post Posted November 9, 2007 (edited) Hey Regis! As a general rule, I don't form the front of a tooled holster much. I dampen the back more than the front, and I only use the bone or deer horn on the back. I gently form the front around the slide/barrel and trigger guard with my finger tips and perhaps the background tool (inn the backgrounded areas), but no more than that. Hope this helps... Mike P.S. I only dampen the INSIDE of the front, so I don't screw up the tooling if I can help it. Edited November 9, 2007 by Mike Craw Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites