Paddle holster question

[DoubleKCustomLeathercraft]

I got a call today for a paddle holster. I'm familiar with these, the paddle rides inside the pants instead of using a loop or clip. 

Is there anyone here that has any experience making a leather paddle? Do I just stitch leather onto a kydex or plastic paddle? Or do I use just leather, maybe skirting, and hardening it? 

I'll do some research on my own, but this is my first stop. I'd rather hear from someone that's done it than just looking at pictures and trying to guess

Thanks

[wizard of tragacanth]

Never done it but I would start here... https://www.holstersmith.com/vcom/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=paddle

Does this one give you any ideas? https://www.holstersmith.com/vcom/paddle-mount-blade-tech-attachment-hardware-p-2089.html 

If I were attempting this, I would use Weldwood contact cement to put a layer of thin leather over the surface that would contact one's skin... maybe.

Edited 20 hours ago by wizard of tragacanth

[DoubleKCustomLeathercraft]

1 hour ago, wizard of tragacanth said:

Never done it but I would start here... https://www.holstersmith.com/vcom/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=paddle

Does this one give you any ideas? https://www.holstersmith.com/vcom/paddle-mount-blade-tech-attachment-hardware-p-2089.html 

If I were attempting this, I would use Weldwood contact cement to put a layer of thin leather over the surface that would contact one's skin... maybe.

Holstersmith is a go too for blue guns. I did look at the paddles there, but I'm thinking if using 24ga galv steel in between leather. The client is looking for a leather paddle, and using the plastic paddles would make it way too thick. There are a couple posts I found in the archives here that explain how to do so, and it sounded like a good place to start. They're old posts. Appreciate the response. I'm still interested if there are any other ideas out there, but the metal reinforcement for the holster and paddle make sense

[wizard of tragacanth]

I knew that my suggestion was not a perfect answer for you but it was "an" answer if nothing else was found. Actually I am surprised that you found anything with the search function here. I have rarely found answers using it.

Good luck. I will be following this thread as I am curious as to what you find.

Nick

Edited 8 hours ago by wizard of tragacanth

[FrankHester]

Try this search in a search engine--  "site:leatherworker.net paddle holster".

don't use the quotation marks though.

 

Edited 7 hours ago by FrankHester

[chuck123wapati]

22 hours ago, DoubleKCustomLeathercraft said:

I got a call today for a paddle holster. I'm familiar with these, the paddle rides inside the pants instead of using a loop or clip. 

Is there anyone here that has any experience making a leather paddle? Do I just stitch leather onto a kydex or plastic paddle? Or do I use just leather, maybe skirting, and hardening it? 

I'll do some research on my own, but this is my first stop. I'd rather hear from someone that's done it than just looking at pictures and trying to guess

Thanks

I've made paddle holsters for phones. Double the paddle side and keep the rough sides out so it won't slip as badly. I also ran some rivets along the top to keep the bend in place.

[wizard of tragacanth]

Frank, thanks for the tip on searching. It worked for me and I found a couple of things.

Double K. In my perusing paddle holsters, I realized that a paddle is a very compromised design from the git-go. With diligence and experimentation, I'm sure you could work out a design but I am wondering why your customer could not be better served with a flat-back, snap-on design? It would be easier to execute and much more secure. It would take a little more time to don it, but I think it would be worth it for the better stability and security. However, I do not know his needs. 

Something like this Don Hume design -- https://www.donhume.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_5&products_id=837