Holsters With Lace?

[ShortBBL]

I have a couple questions for those who have done similar holsters as shown below.

What kind of lace (and size) would you use for this? What tools are needed? I heard kangaroo is the best and Tandy has a 25 yrd spool on sale now for WAY low..... like $25 for businesses. Theirs is 1/8". Is this what I want for this kind of work or do I need something else?

Also.... do you just use the lacing after glueing or would this also get stitched and lace over that?

Thanks guys/gals!

[JLSleather]

I have a couple questions for those who have done similar holsters as shown below.

What kind of lace (and size) would you use for this? What tools are needed? I heard kangaroo is the best and Tandy has a 25 yrd spool on sale now for WAY low..... like $25 for businesses. Theirs is 1/8". Is this what I want for this kind of work or do I need something else?

Also.... do you just use the lacing after glueing or would this also get stitched and lace over that?

Thanks guys/gals!

A couple thoughts ... from a guy who admits I haven't made a holster in quite a while ...

That looks more like a 5/32" or 3/16" lace. - some of the old folks pro'lly bought it called "Florentine" lace. Don't know why the natural color lace isn't used so much any more ... I've always liked that look. Should be able to do that with a set of dividers (which will scribe a guideline for the lacing AND mark the stitch spacing. Then it depends on the look you want ... I would have spaced the stitches just a little farther apart (though i like this way too). Slits can be made with a punch or a nipper. I prefer the nipper for this type of thing ... doesn't "rock" the project when punching.

I'm probably overly cautious, but I like to see 'em stitched myself. I like a well-made holster, but in the end their PURPOSE is to contain, protect, and enhance the GUN. The thread will last longer than the very best lace and will be stronger. If you want to keep this look, you could easily stitch it half way between the edge and the lacing line, then keep the tight lace spacing and "conceal" the stitches.

Keep in mind that Tandy is as bad as any of them ... take a $3 item and advertise it for $30 for a year - then "sale" it at $21 and try to tell you what a "deal" you're getting, hoping you'll forget it's a $3 item. One thing worth the time and money there, though, ... spend a few bucks and get Stohlman's "How to Make Holsters" book. Doesn't cover every model or method, but will give you all the information you need to start mkaing holsters and designing your own - short and sweet version on tools needed, too (one of the few things Tandy has worth owning).

[katsass]

I have a couple questions for those who have done similar holsters as shown below.

What kind of lace (and size) would you use for this? What tools are needed? I heard kangaroo is the best and Tandy has a 25 yrd spool on sale now for WAY low..... like $25 for businesses. Theirs is 1/8". Is this what I want for this kind of work or do I need something else?

Also.... do you just use the lacing after glueing or would this also get stitched and lace over that?

Thanks guys/gals!

I agree with JLSleather; AND I stay away from Tandy as much as possible. However,quite a few early holsters were laced similarly, but with rawhide lace...as can be seen in Rattebury's book "Packing Iron", but Stohlman's book is a 'must' for those making holsters for the first time...and as continuing reference. I bought mine in the '60s, and still refer to it at times. Most of the holsters I've done with lace were for 'show' and not true working pieces. They were glued up with contact cement.... back then it was stuff called "GRIP", ....can't get it anymore.....then laced. I have never done both on a holster..stitch and lace. It's been so long since I've had a call for a laced holster that I don't remember where my nipper is! The man to get hold of on here is Dave Cole (DCKnives).He does fantastic inlay work and much of it is beautifully laced. He'll have definitive answers to your questions. Mike

Edited November 4, 2010 by katsass