3rd and 4th holsters

[Baba Brad]

So, I invested in some better than scrap leather (the local Tansy had shoulders for $19.99, 7/8 oz). Now, not knowing much about leather weight, yet, I decided that it would make adequate holsters. 

I have not been disappointed. Here are my 3rd and 4th holsters. The 5th one is drying at this time (Beretta 950 pocket holster with anti-print panel). 

I'm very pleased with the way these 2 turned out. The one for the FEG came out better in my opion, but the SW holds tighter (may or may not be a good thing).

 S&W Sigma .40

FEG PA-63

Honest assesment please. Any hints on improving? I'm working with basic tools and no plans yet to invest more. I like the simple design and lines of un-adorned items.

Next project is a sheath for my kukri.

[swinewerx]

There are only two things I could suggest, so basically just my opinion, First, tool a lot. I do very heavily on all of our personal things. Next, mold that leather to the pistol with the pistol in a plastic bag so it don't get wet and start kneeding like you have never needed before. When you mold it to the pistolay itself, you can then have your belt strap behind the holster out of view of the eyes that can see it. I personally love revolver pistols, older the better, doesn't mean I have a whole bunch, just one from 1904. Then my newest which is brand new and my favorite. Lets see if I can post a photo to show what i have done for my pistol, all within two hours from start to finish. My wife could not beleive how i got it http://img.photobuck.../DSC00010-3.jpgdone while we were chit chattin' http://img.photobuck.../DSC00002-4.jpg http://img.photobuck.../DSC00007-5.jpg Now I am not saying that my werx is perfect, not by a long shot, I did teach myself and still don't know what most terminology in the tandy stores is. So , when I am there it is as if I am not able to speak that language. I am sure that gives them a knee slapper when I have to keep asking, what is that? what is it for? etc

[Baba Brad]

Like I said, I like the simple lines of unadorned work. I did wrap the pistols in saran wrap. I think the leather may have been too thick for much more detail in the forming. Or, I didn't let it soak long enough.

The S&W can be turned upside down and shaken, and won't come out. The FEG, needs to be remolded to fit tighter.

The holsters are darn comfortable and loooooow profile.

[DaCodaBuchan]

I would love a tutorial on this type of holster. I also agree that you need thinner leather. 5-6oz maybe. Have you tryed lining them with something. Suede maybe. This would make them very tight as they'd be tight to begin with because of the molding. The layer of suede would be like heaven when it came to getting those things stuck nice and tight. At least that's my theory.

[Gibbles]

not bad, I have been playing around with making holsters for about a year now, and I finally finished the first holster I made for sale.

I found that I could do alot with nothing more than a marker, and work every inch of the leather.

Play around with it and have fun with it, hopefully this holster will be the first of many that I sell.

I just need to find better snaps... the ones I get from tandy need to be modified to hold tight enough... I don't know where to get better ones.

[Baba Brad]

not bad, I have been playing around with making holsters for about a year now, and I finally finished the first holster I made for sale.

I found that I could do alot with nothing more than a marker, and work every inch of the leather.

Play around with it and have fun with it, hopefully this holster will be the first of many that I sell.

I just need to find better snaps... the ones I get from tandy need to be modified to hold tight enough... I don't know where to get better ones.

Try here

[JLSleather]

7/8 should be fine for this size holster. While I'm not a fan of solid black, I gotta say if you found decent leather (holds form, no drastic thickness changes, dyes evenly) for $20 ... nice.

[Baba Brad]

7/8  should be fine for this size  holster.  While  I'm not a fan of solid black,  I  gotta say if you found decent leather (holds  form, no drastic thickness changes, dyes evenly)  for $20  ... nice.

I had to dig through 2 piles of shoulders to find a unifrom piece. I like black. Can't help it. I am toying with the idea of doing the next holster in mahogany.

I tend to think and make items for utilitarian purposes only. Well constructed and working are the 2 primary factors with appearance being secondary. Maybe as I get more comfortable with the design and construction process I'll experiment with decorative work.

Just finishing up a sheath for my kukri camp kinfe. Solid black (again) simple construction, belt loop and snap closure.

[Baba Brad]

I would love a tutorial on this type of holster. I also agree that you need thinner leather. 5-6oz maybe. Have you tryed lining them with something. Suede maybe. This would make them very tight as they'd be tight to begin with because of the molding. The layer of suede would be like heaven when it came to getting those things stuck nice and tight. At least that's my theory.

These are the 2 tutorials I found online that helped me out loads.

#1

#2

[Gibbles]

Try here

Thanks

The snaps I like alot are on a holster I bought, they snap solid, and the male part of the snap attatches with a screw, that would make life sooo much easier for me if I could find those snaps.

Edited January 13, 2010 by Gibbles