Holsters 3,4,5, & 6 (Pic Heavy)

[Sixer]

Ok, so my first and second attempts at holster making are currently residing in the scrap box, lol. Let's just say they were not exactly worthy of pictures

Last week I ordered some decent leather, a few basic tools, dye, etc. so I decided to put in some work this weekend. The following pics are my 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th attempts at making holsters. From a functional standpoint I think they turned out really well. Retention is EXCELLENT, they fit great, and I achieved the cant that I was after.

Cosmetically... ehhhh, ok I guess. I'm improving with the stitching and dying, but there is still ALOT of room for improvement.

P.S. My picture taking skills suck

Holster #3 - Glock 23 OWB (I used the Eco-Flo dye on this and it came out pretty weird)

Holster #4 - M&P 40c OWB (Switched to Fiebings Pro Oil Dye but still had some dark spots)

Holster #5 - M&P 40c IWB ( My first attempt at an IWB holster, I marked my stitching holes with a small marker before drilling with a press... the black ink bled a bit )

Holster #6 - Sig P239 IWB ( Cleaned up the straps a bit, but failed on the stitching...)

So there they are... I am looking for any feedback, good or bad. I'm VERY new to this so any advice would be helpful. Thanks!

[Frank]

Howdy,

I don't deal with too many concealed carry style holsters at all but the thing that jumped out at me (it could be from the closeness of the pics) was that your stitches seem very far apart. I'm not sure what size stitching marker/wheel you use, but I use a #6 stitching wheel for the holsters that I make. That should dress your holsters up a little bit more.

The other thing that you might want to work on are smoothing and evening the edges of the holster. These really are the two things that jump out at most people when they look at the work.

Frank

Edited February 8, 2010 by Frank

[Sixer]

Thanks for the input Frank!

My stitching definitely needs some serious work. I will try to get those stitches closer together... I think you are absolutely right about it helping the look of the holster.

I'm struggling with the edges, like you said. I've been using gum trag with a Sharpie but it just doesn't quite get the job done. Need more elbow grease

I appreciate the reply. It will only help me improve!

[Frank]

Not a problem at all. Everyone is here to become better at what they do, usually by the grace of others. Bob Parks has a post on here about the way that he finishes edges. I believe it is also listed on the home page under tutorials. I could be wrong though. No one really uses the exact same methods as another. They tend to use bits from one person and bits from another to come up with something that suits them personally.

I have been doing my edges on the same line as Bob's because that is what I was taught to do, but I still don't do them exactly as he does, but bits and pieces here and there really help. Look up that tutorial when you get the time if you haven't already. It will help quite a bit.

Frank

[303brit]

Sixer, I am fairly new at holster making myself, and a couple of things I have found that are easy and work well for edges are to round them with a Dremel sanding drum then use old denim (just cut from jeans) to smooth it. I use Sno-seal wax instead of the gum then finish with a sharpie for a final polish.

[js5972]

I found my first 2 holsters going through my scrap bag today, so I feel your pain. It sounds like you are measuring your stitching-you should get a stitching wheel from Tandy. I have just started using Eco-Flow myself. I was at a class at Tandy and they suggested an application of Neatsfoot oil first to even out the absorbtion. Leave overnight, then use a dauber to apply the dye. Nice design for the holsters. Did you make your own patterns? They look quiet functional.

[Sixer]

brit, thanks for tip! I will give the denim a try and see if that helps.

js, that's one good thing about the holsters... they fit and feel great! I can't really take any credit for the design though. I have a few Galco holsters for my Sig 229 that I used as a bit of a "guide". I'm just getting comfortable with the process before I start cranking out any designs of my own

BTW, I will give neatsfoot oil a try. Thanks!

[BigRiverLeather]

It sounds like you are addressing the stitching. I might recommend a 4 prong and 1 prong stitching punch. On straighter lines this will help keep the holes straight and even and you can use the single punch with a #5 overstitcher to mark the holes for corners and bends. I took a dremel and rounded the edges a bit so the back side looks cleaner. Anywhere you get your leather you can find these. They alos make it in a diamond shape punch rather than the square shown here. It will speed things up significantly as well.

For your edges, I prefer to use a drill press with a sanding drum, or if you have an ocsillating spindle sander, as they will leave a smoother edge using the larger sanding drums than what a dremel uses. It is easier to get a nices smooth, even edge. Do this after glueinguntil both edges are completely even. Then you can cut in your stitching grooves. after that, use your edge beveler. Dampen the edges and sand the edges by hand, starting with about 100, then 220, then one finer. black dye or whatever you like on the edge, then buff it out with some saddle soap. Gum tragacanth works too, but I'm liking the results of saddle soap more (denim or duck cloth for applying this. Speed is key, move it fast!). A little beeswax after that is used by many, but I have not yet received the results I like on that, sometimes a bit of a cracked look. Hit it with a buffing wheel and your edges will look like glass.

Oil based dyes will probably work best for you, then a coat of acrylic resolene on top to seal it.

Your very close to hitting it on the head. Keep it up!

Edited February 10, 2010 by BigRiverLeather

[Sixer]

Thanks for the input BigRiver!

I'm using gum trag on the edges but I think you hit on my biggest problem. I'm using a Dremel on the edges and just not quite getting both sides even at the same time. I think using a sanding wheel in my drill press will help a lot. I also have to admit that I was being a bit lazy with the burnishing

My stitching is slowly improving. I've been using a 1/16 bit in the drill press which has helped tremendously. My next steps is to pick up a diamond shaped awl blade and use that in the press instead of the bit.

As soon as I get a hold of some neatsfoot oil, an awl blade, and a #5 overstitch wheel, I will give it another go and post some pics. Thanks again for all the help guys!

[carljc72]

My stitching is slowly improving. I've been using a 1/16 bit in the drill press which has helped tremendously. My next steps is to pick up a diamond shaped awl blade and use that in the press instead of the bit.

As soon as I get a hold of some neatsfoot oil, an awl blade, and a #5 overstitch wheel, I will give it another go and post some pics. Thanks again for all the help guys!

Be careful on the amount of neatsfoot you apply. If you cross the line of too much, you end up with limp leather. I use neatsfoot on my oiled finish and I have ruined more than 1 holster by using too much. I have plenty if you want to "try it before you buy it".

Carl

[Bronson]

Al Stohlman's book "The Art of Hand Sewing Leather" is well worth picking up.

Bronson

[TomLine]

I've given up on dyes.

You can get that same color or better from light coats of neatsfoot oil and laying it in the sun.