First Holster Ever

[Chevota]

Just finished up last night on this thing. It is my first holster attempt (and I do mean attempt) so I am looking for some feedback as to what I could do to make look more professional. I made it for my wife and her little Charter Arms .38 special. Don't sugar coat anything, just want honest opinions. This is probably my 3rd or 4th real project with leather, but I learn so much after everything I do.

[Ferg]

Just finished up last night on this thing. It is my first holster attempt (and I do mean attempt) so I am looking for some feedback as to what I could do to make look more professional. I made it for my wife and her little Charter Arms .38 special. Don't sugar coat anything, just want honest opinions. This is probably my 3rd or 4th real project with leather, but I learn so much after everything I do.

Nice design. I believe you should cut deeper with the swivel knife. Your beveling etc. will "show up" better.

Practice makes perfect.

ferg

[terrahyd]

HI SHEVOTA;;

Well most of us still use a lot of suger??? you did more tooling on your first holster than I did on my first...on mine I just knife cut and dyed the back ground green....used for many years as it was........I did however get a book from tandy and learned how to tool flowers and such, then stuff looked like everone else's stuff.???. but I think you could learn to complete your tooling as teaching books show, then , you stuff will look like their stuff.....might also watch the straightness of your stitching

you have done very well and I fell your wife is very proud of it for good reason ,,,good pattern ,,nice finish ,,(stain the back also) ,love the pink gun....

thanks for sharing your work with us ..

regards...Doc...

Edited October 3, 2010 by terrahyd

[gregintenn]

I'd suggest you bend the holster to fit the contour of one's body when molding it, as it looks straight in the photo. I think it looks great for a first attempt. It looks pretty good for a 50th attempt!!!

[katsass]

Very good for you first. That said, when I was doing tooling, more than a little while ago, I would always 'frame' my design by cutting a line 3/8" to 1/2" or so inside the perimeter of the project, bevel deeply, then do my tooling inside the resultant 'frame'. To me it gives a more finished(?) appearance. The use of a good stitching groover and overstitch wheel (6 stitch per inch is good) would help your stitching to be smooth and straight. JMHO Mike

P.S. You might try to 'shrink' the wings a little........just an opinion.

Edited October 3, 2010 by katsass

[Chevota]

All of your advice is very much appreciated. Thanks for taking a look.

[NoahL]

I have zero advice on the tooling, but I wanted to mention that you should cover that trigger completely

[Chevota]

Thanks Noah L for the comment, but I think that the front of the trigger guard should be covered so one cannot draw and have their finger inside the guard. As for covering the whole thing, I'm not so sure about that as far as functionality. When I draw a pistol (or revolver) I have my index finger running along the outside of the guard. The design of this lets me know where the guard is located with just a touch. Like I said, I appreciate the comment, I just have a preference in this area. There are actually a lot of revolver holster's in which the trigger guard is totally exposed. I'm not so sure about that though.

[NoahL]

Thanks Noah L for the comment, but I think that the front of the trigger guard should be covered so one cannot draw and have their finger inside the guard. As for covering the whole thing, I'm not so sure about that as far as functionality. When I draw a pistol (or revolver) I have my index finger running along the outside of the guard. The design of this lets me know where the guard is located with just a touch. Like I said, I appreciate the comment, I just have a preference in this area. There are actually a lot of revolver holster's in which the trigger guard is totally exposed. I'm not so sure about that though.

Since most revolvers do not have a safety of any type, I think that it is very important to cover the entire trigger guard with your holster to prevent something from getting inside the trigger guard and snagging and making your gun discharge. Revolver holsters that do not cover the trigger are usually (though not always) made for single-action revolvers, not double-action revolvers. As for keeping your finger along the trigger guard when you draw--I do the same thing and having the holster covering the guard completely has never been a problem for me. I understand having a preference, but your preference in this particular area strikes me as somewhat unsafe. I'm certainly no expert on holster making, but in my opinion there should be no way for ANYTHING to get inside the trigger guard while the gun is holstered, even if the gun has a safety.

[Chevota]

To each his own. I've looked at the quality of products you have made.... very nice to say the least. It's all open to interpretation on the style / functionality of something being made by hand. Like I say, I am very new at this and appreciate your comments.