IWB for G23

[dickf]

I finally decided to give Kevin @ Springfield a call and ordered a full side of his Hermann Oak. I wish I would have done it sooner, as this stuff is a dream to work with. I find it easy to cut, and it molds better than any other leather I've tried. The grain is nice and deep, which yields a great looking finished product. The leather is wonderful, and between working with the material and talking to Kevin on the phone, he's earned a loyal customer in me. My neverending hunt for better leather is over...finally! As usual, comments/critiques welcome.

Leather - 7-8oz Hermann Oak

Color - Fiebings dark brown

Finish - resolene, slightly diluted

[Lobo]

Exceptionally nice work.

[gearjammer711]

what process do you use to burnish the edge? I got a side of HO from Kevin and I can not get it to burnish like the leather I got at first from Tandy.

[dustin29]

That is one of the nicest holsters I have ever seen. Very nice!

[Rock76]

Beautiful work!

[TexasJack]

Very nice looking holster!

[brinyar]

Nice holster. Good even color. Those are great pictures, too. It is nice to see good, close up pictures of peoples work.

I think you have convinced me to try out Hermann Oak for my next side, also. I haven't been very happy with the last two sides of the leather I have been using.

[dickf]

Thank you for the compliments! Each one I build seems to get better and better.

@gearjammer - I use the same process to burnish it as I do for any other leather. After the edges are sanded and beveled, I use a slightly wet sponge to wet them, and rub them with a Sharpie. I can typically get them pretty shiney with just water. After that, I go back and do the same thing with pure beeswax in place of the water. A light buff with a small cloth and a piece of nylon stocking, and we're in business.

@brinyar - I've seen your work, so I value your opinion greatly. The Hermann Oak is really nice. I know some people prefer the Wickett & Craig (which is what I think you are using), but after trying this stuff, I have no desire to switch. One thing I have been looking for is the really deep grain I see some people have on their work. This leather provides that, and it drinks up the dye. I'm very happy with it.

[BOOMSTICKHolsters]

Your best work yet, I think. It sure helps to use good material, huh?

[BOOMSTICKHolsters]

I think you have convinced me to try out Hermann Oak for my next side, also. I haven't been very happy with the last two sides of the leather I have been using.

My last couple have been sub par as well. They are difficult to cut with a head knife, and they are causing my boning folders to drag. Is this the same problem you're having? It's driving me nuts, 'cause when they get it right, there is nothing out there better, but they aren't always consistent.

Edited October 7, 2009 by BOOMSTICKHolsters

[Shorts]

Great color. Very smooth.

I still can't get my browns to work right

As for HO, it's all I care to use. Can but a bit tough to cut but the results from wet mold are worth it.

[brinyar]

<br />My last couple have been sub par as well. They are difficult to cut with a head knife, and they are causing my boning folders to drag. Is this the same problem you're having? It's driving me nuts, 'cause when they get it right, there is nothing out there better, but they aren't always consistent.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Yep, similar problems. They have had an inconsistent density throughout the side, and an almost cork-like texture in places. I should have sent them back, but thought I would still get a reasonable amount of holsters from them. It is a shame, too, because the last two sides were among the best I had seen on the skin side. They had a very little amount of blemishes and stretch marks and a good, tight grain to them. They were just not wet molding very well. I had four holsters mold like I expect them to, and maybe another 5-6 mold ok, out of the two sides. The rest of the leather is just going to be scrap.

I'll try the Hermann Oak, then decide which I'll ultimately go with. The past leather has always been so good that I didn't see a need to change, but such inconsistency is frustrating, and expensive....

[dickf]

Using better materials definitely yields a better product. It seems so obvious when you say it out loud like that, but for some reason it's different when it's time to put your money where your mouth is. Still, it's true.

The HO drinks up dye and water very fast - I needed very little hot tap water to case this one for molding, as opposed to other brands that took an actual soak. The way it molds is one of the best characteristics about it, and the main thing that sets it apart (for me). I can only imagine the amount of detail you could get from it with a press.