My 5th holster

[particle]

Well, here it is. What do you all think? I would love to see some good video(s) of someone boning their holster. I've seen the tucker videos, but they're not very high quality. Good info though.

On my next holster, I would like to line it, and dye it before assembly. Hopefully I can get a stitcher soon... I'd also like to get more defined details in the boning.

[BOOMSTICKHolsters]

That turned out nice!

[Bronson]

That looks great to me. My Dan Wesson CBOB would be proud to ride in that (that's a hint by the way )

Bronson

[Tac]

Well Done Sir! (Nice 1911 too!)

[dickf]

Nice looking holster and great cbob!

[particle]

Thanks for the compliments everyone! This is the first time I've used resolene on a holster. How long does it normally take for the resolene to fully cure, and the 'tacky', 'grippy' feeling to go away? Or do you normally have to rub a little talcum powder on it to get rid of the 'squeaky clean' feeling?

[particle]

Well, I took some advice and decided to dye the leather prior to assembly. I'm not really sure which way I prefer. The leather didn't end up as even as my previous version, as once the leather stretched after I inserted the gun, the stretched areas became considerably lighter in color. However, it did make the leather a little more resistant to damage from fingernails and stray tool marks... Plus, I kinda like the mottled, rustic look, as opposed to the perfectly even dye jobs. Decisions, decisions.

I sold the holster at the beginning of this thread within about 24 hours via my CHL message board. Then, I posted pictures of that same holster on the 1911Forum and already have at LEAST a dozen interested people. LOL - I was afraid to post on the 1911Forum because I knew there was such a large audience and potential for sales, but I did it anyway, and I'm glad I did. Looks like I'll be buying a machine sooner rather than later.

Now I just have to figure out just how to market these things. I hate to become just another holster maker that's backed up for months on end, but I guess that's not such a bad thing... I always hoped to make one at a time, and post them as I make them on message boards, that way people could see pictures (like below) of exactly what they're buying.

On a side note, anyone know what that spot is on the leather on the front side above the slide, just below the reinforcement piece? Before I dyed the leather, it was a lighter color. After I dyed it, it got much darker than the surrounding area.

[Bronson]

On a side note, anyone know what that spot is on the leather on the front side above the slide, just below the reinforcement piece?

That is what my bladesmith friend would call a "subtle variation in the hand-crafted product."

Bronson

[RMB Custom Leather]

Hello all - I'm working on another holster, but this time I hope to sell it to recoup some of my leather expenses and prepare for buying another hide. I'd like some input on how I could improve my next one, or even how to improve this one if it's not too late.

Sorry for the low quality photos - shot these with my phone on the way out the door this morning.

Is the burnished / darker area normal? I ran the holster under the faucet for a few seconds until all surfaces were wet, then sat it on the counter for about 10 minutes.

I still haven't figured out a good way to shape the trigger guard.

I think I can bring in the stitch lines a little closer to the gun - my previous attempt was much too tight.

I brushed on a coat of neatsfoot compound last night to the outer surfaces, and was planning on dying it tonight with Fiebings Saddle Tan Pro dye. Tandy didn't have Bag Kote, only Tan Kote. I asked the salesman if they had anything with a more dull finish than the Tan Kote, and he said Satin Sheen. I didn't think a water-based product would work over the oil dye and neatsfoot - someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Anyway, can anyone offer any further advise on how to improve my hoslters?

I'm hoping to buy a sewing machine at some point in the very near future to speed the process up and start making and selling holsters for the guns I have in my collection.

For reference, this is my previous attempt and what I'm hoping to make this one look like...

I know this is an old posting but In the finished picture above, what stain color did end up using?

[particle]

If memory serves, that was airbrushed with Fiebing's Saddle Tan.