I want to get into leather holster making

[Angrywrench]

I want to get into leather holster making, I have no clue where to look or what to buy. I would apricate some links and advise on methods and ways to become better at it.

[kgg]

4 hours ago, Angrywrench said:

I want to get into leather holster making,

Two basic methods depending on your interest:

1) Hand stitching, relatively inexpensive.

2) Machine sewing, relatively expensive. Basic New hand operated sewing machine from $1000 USD up and New motorized sewing machine from $2800 USD and up.

kgg

 

[fredk]

Buy Blue guns, for fitting

[chuck123wapati]

i would start by searching this forum for a few days virtually everything you need to know is in this knowledge base.

[TomE]

The Stohlman books on leather tools, hand sewing, and case making are good general references.  See also books and DVDs at the Leather Crafters and Saddlers Journal online store.

[Samalan]

Best advice: don't do it !!!! 

[Samalan]

Sorry, friend, I thought you wanted to go into business making leather holsters.  my bad

[TonyV]

14 hours ago, TomE said:

The Stohlman books on leather tools, hand sewing, and case making are good general references.  See also books and DVDs at the Leather Crafters and Saddlers Journal online store.

I second this motion.  There are also a lot of Youtube vids that teach holster making from the very simple Slim Jim to extravagant carry rigs, tooled, reenforced, etc etc.

Start reading and watching.  When you have more questions,  there are several on this forum that can help.

But first, a suggestion.  The basic steps, and basic tools of holster making are not a lot different than the basics of any other leather project.  If you can make a simple wallet or belt, you can make a holster.  A holster is not much more than a pouch, anyway.  Go for it!

Edited April 17 by TonyV

[JLSleather]

to make good leather goods, you need good leather.  that's the first and the last of that.

For holsters specifically, I would recommend

a good utility knife, and something to cut curves (I use x-acto, works great). 

round punches - they're great for PUNCHING out tight curves instead of trying to cut them.

GOOD quality awl and thread.

a wooden or acrylic "slicker" for finishing edges.

and of course dyes and applicators to suit your preference.

That will get you started, and you can swap/change as you grow to suit your own style.

To be clear, GOOD leather.  Plus, one more thing... GOOD leather.

[dikman]

Good advice, JLS, but probably wasted - nearly 2 months and the OP hasn't returned?

[Steve75]

On 4/15/2025 at 10:33 PM, Angrywrench said:

I want to get into leather holster making, I have no clue where to look or what to buy. I would apricate some links and advise on methods and ways to become better at it.

A good place to start is by picking up a copy of Stohlman's How to Make Holsters.  It has a list of all the tools you will need to get started and has several patterns you can use to try your hand at making holsters.  There is wealth of knowledge available in this forum.  I came here to learn from the masters when I decided to give holster making a try.  

[Cumberland Highpower]

On 4/16/2025 at 12:37 PM, Samalan said:

Best advice: don't do it !!!! 

1

Edited July 5 by Cumberland Highpower

[Mulesaw]

On 6/9/2025 at 1:18 AM, dikman said:

Good advice, JLS, but probably wasted - nearly 2 months and the OP hasn't returned?

Couldn't have said it better.

I know I should have gotten used to this being grown up etc. But it still comes as a surprise for me everytime someone asks a question in here, and lots of people bend backwards with good sound advice - only for the OP to never visit the site again.

 

[AlZilla]

6 minutes ago, Mulesaw said:

only for the OP to never visit the site again

You never know if the person is visiting w/o logging in. It always does seem like they should at least acknowledge the responses.

But, that's the world we live in now, I guess. Get off my lawn, too. 

[kgg]

On 6/8/2025 at 11:18 PM, dikman said:

Good advice, JLS, but probably wasted - nearly 2 months and the OP hasn't returned?

 

2 hours ago, Mulesaw said:

But it still comes as a surprise for me everytime someone asks a question in here, and lots of people bend backwards with good sound advice - only for the OP to never visit the site again.

 

2 hours ago, AlZilla said:

You never know if the person is visiting w/o logging in. It always does seem like they should at least acknowledge the responses.

But, that's the world we live in now, I guess. Get off my lawn, too.

Maybe new members should have to post a couple of times before asking a question like on some other forums I'm on. Nothing surprises me anymore particularly since the China Cough. What I have found is people seem to be more noticeably thinking they are entitled somehow with no manners and demanding as all get go then before the Cough. Basically a** holes. Then again it could be just me being me.

kgg

[AlZilla]

7 minutes ago, kgg said:

Maybe new members should have to post a couple of times before asking a question like on some other forums I'm on.

Some follow up would be nice just to see how it actually worked out. But in the end if someone asks about XYZ sewing machine for a particular use and gets good advice, then it's here for the next person who comes along wondering the same thing.  This place is pretty much Encyclopedia Britannica for leather sewing machines. 

[kgg]

21 minutes ago, AlZilla said:

This place is pretty much Encyclopedia Britannica for leather sewing machines. 

How true. If a machine was ever built someone on the forum probably has it.

kgg

[Steve75]

On 7/5/2025 at 9:05 AM, Mulesaw said:

Couldn't have said it better.

I know I should have gotten used to this being grown up etc. But it still comes as a surprise for me everytime someone asks a question in here, and lots of people bend backwards with good sound advice - only for the OP to never visit the site again.

 

I hear you, but I feel like we should never miss a chance to share our knowledge.  While the original poster may not ever respond someone else might happen on the thread and respond to it/learn from it.  I learned a lot from just reading the old threads before I posted my introduction thread.  The responses I read provided me priceless insight and caused me to join and even work up the courage to share some of my work.  

[Mulesaw]

@Steve75 I fully agree that we should continue to share knowledge and especially to someone who is new to the forum. Generally I think there is a very civilised and helpful tone in here which is just as it should be :-) 
It is just that I am genuinely puzzled: Did the OP expect another answer?, Should we have offered more help? Was the OP in reality looking for a turnkey operation business plan to make a fortune making holsters? 
 

I guess it is just that I always gets so astonished when people don't acknowledge that someone is trying to help them. A simple "thank you" would suffice. Just plain old fashioned regular courtesy.

Brgds Jonas

[dikman]

16 hours ago, Mulesaw said:

 Was the OP in reality looking for a turnkey operation business plan to make a fortune making holsters? 

 Good luck on doing that!

 

[Steve75]

17 hours ago, Mulesaw said:

@Steve75 I fully agree that we should continue to share knowledge and especially to someone who is new to the forum. Generally I think there is a very civilised and helpful tone in here which is just as it should be 🙂
It is just that I am genuinely puzzled: Did the OP expect another answer?, Should we have offered more help? Was the OP in reality looking for a turnkey operation business plan to make a fortune making holsters? 
 

I guess it is just that I always gets so astonished when people don't acknowledge that someone is trying to help them. A simple "thank you" would suffice. Just plain old fashioned regular courtesy.

Brgds Jonas

It is one of the great puzzlements.  I think all who posted here did a great job of giving a place to start.  It is what we do as good stewards of information.  I have learned a great deal from those willing to share their knowledge on this forum.  I will do what I can to pay it forward by providing any information I can.  I do understand your astonishment.  It is truly sad to see a person miss out on sharing in the wealth of knowledge available on this forum.  Courtesy can be hard to find these days.

 

 

[Mulesaw]

19 hours ago, dikman said:

 Good luck on doing that!

 Perhaps we ought to make a post with "get rich quick" business ideas (just kidding)

[Northmount]

On 7/5/2025 at 10:14 AM, AlZilla said:

You never know if the person is visiting w/o logging in. It always does seem like they should at least acknowledge the responses.

But, that's the world we live in now, I guess. Get off my lawn, too. 

Maybe we should kick them off if they can't be bothered to check for a response.  They certainly aren't contributing to the site!

@Johanna

[AlZilla]

32 minutes ago, Northmount said:

Maybe we should kick them off if they can't be bothered to check for a response.  They certainly aren't contributing to the site!

@Johanna

I wrestled a little with this post yesterday and decided not to respond further. To me, giving (whether a brand new car or answering a question like the OP presented) is done without expectation of any return or even a thank you. So, I wouldn't boot someone for not checking back in. An acknowledgment and thank you would certainly encourage more dialog, but people seem to be pretty self focused these days.

Maybe he forgot where he posted the question ...

It was really kind of a fragment of a question anyway, not really enough info to give a coherent, specific answer.  I think Chuck nailed it - pretty much any information a person needs is somewhere here.

[AEBL]

Nobody said this already, so here goes: Want to make a small fortune selling holsters? ... Start out with a large fortune first.

I've just made a terrible one for a friend, so, now I am going to re-make it ... 

Edited July 11 by AEBL