particle Report post Posted January 14, 2011 A while back, I was asked to create a badge holder to match a holster I made for a customer. He wasn't happy with his current one, and wanted to get away from the clam-shell design. He said specifically that he'd like one with a belt loop. I mocked something up, though I don't have a picture handy to post for comments. I was curious if anyone might be willing to share some photos of badge holders they've made that did not use the clam-shell design. Just looking for inspiration - it's my first badge holder and I'm tripping over my own feet with this one. Here is a photo he sent of his current badge holder that he's not happy with. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rayban Report post Posted January 15, 2011 Is there any specific criteria for a badge holder? Does it have to be designed so that the badge is easily detachable? The only thing I can think of (for now) would make it pretty permanent in the carrier: Stitch a belt clip to the round panel, place badge on front, then stitch the front "round window" to the panel. Follow? Rg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Randy Cornelius Report post Posted January 15, 2011 Having carried one of these for 28+ years I can tell you the design you posted is quite common, The problem is first knowing what type of fastening system is on the back of the badge, most have a pin / clasp system which makes it hard to attach without the clam shell design. First find out if this is the type of badge he has. Not sure what he is wanting, might just leave a large hole in the back lower part where you can get your fingers in to secure the pin clasp. Just ask him what he wants and then design it for him. I am guessing he cannot figure it out so he wants you to. I like mine to have a metal clip on the back, most of the time these are worn by LE working plain clothes. That way when you get home / off duty you can just un-clip the badge and go on with what every without changing belts / clothes. All my gear for off duty has a metal clip on the back except the holster, the holster will have the belt running through for security reasons. Badge, mag, cuff case and cell phone can have metal clips. Don't want metal clip on my weapon.. But that's just me and it can be argued both ways. Hope this helps. Randy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
particle Report post Posted January 15, 2011 (edited) Sorry about that - should have included the following picture to show the fastener his badge uses for that particular style of badge holder. The only direction I received from the customer was "I don't want the one you'll make to be a clam shell arangement like this one and I would like a tunnel attachment for the belt." I'm almost embarrassed to post these, but here is my very quick first attempt. The build quality is horrible, but I didn't want to waste a lot of time as I was just trying to test the design. I tried to build this in such away that the badge pin could travel through the holder, and not actually make contact with the belt. Glue is only applied around the edge where it is sewn. I probably could glue a little more than that and just leave a 1/2" clearing through the middle where the pin/needle would travel. As you'll see below, the stitching is horrific. I pre-formed the belt tunnel before I attached it -I should have just waited until it was sewn so I could "mash it around" a bit as I was sewing. I might actually have to hand sew this one with my next attempt, which I think will still be difficult to clamp in the stitching pony. The following photo shows the circular cutouts in the belt tunnel. These can almost be eliminated -they did not need to go nearly that high. As the previous photo shows, I just needed the hole just big enough to allow access to the clip mechanism. Anyway -there is my first attempt. I debated sending it to the customer so he could try it out (I don't have a badge to test with it), but was too embarrased with the way this one came out. It's been hanging on my fridge for probably a month. I wanted to get some feedback before I tried it again. Any thoughts? Edited January 15, 2011 by particle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smalltown Report post Posted January 16, 2011 You could add a snap to one side of the belt tunnel to make it easy to fasten the badge pin and at the same time get it on and off the belt quickly. Just my two cents. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobDude30 Report post Posted January 16, 2011 Particle, Have you seen this post? Clicky Here. BanjoMan recently made a badge holder and he may be able to help. Rob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BanjoMan Report post Posted January 17, 2011 Particle, here are a few pictures of a badge holder that I made for a 6 point star. I usually put a metal belt clip on the back, but I needed something that would fit over a custom gun belt that is about 1/4" thick so I went with a belt loop. If you go to my gallery, you can see pictures of other badge holders that I have made also. The only way I can get them just right is if I have the badge to go by when making the holder. As far as the belt clip compared to the belt loop, it's a matter of personal preference. I hope this helps! Here are a few more pics of the belt clip style. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
particle Report post Posted January 17, 2011 Thanks for posting those pics BanjoMan! For the one with the leather tunnel - I guess you still have plenty of room to lock the badge clasp? I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask the customer to send me his spare badge before I can wrap this project up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big O Report post Posted January 17, 2011 Particle, your design certainly looks workable to me - just not really "pretty". Eh, it's a prototype. The only potential problem I see is that the belt slot attachment looks a bit iffy. Maybe cut out a half-circle on each end, beyond the holes for the badge pin, and sew along both the outer and inner perimeters? Or, maybe, and this might be a little wild, cut out a circle the exact diameter of the holder, and then cut a half-inch section out of the middle. Sew the two halves to the edges of the holder in such a manner as to form two smaller belt tunnels rather than one larger one. It'd have room between the halves for a trouser belt loop if that's where the customer wanted to wear it on his waistband.....or not.....the point is that he would have that option. It boggles my mind a little that someone would NOT want the clip for a badge holder. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BanjoMan Report post Posted January 17, 2011 (edited) Particle, to answer your question, yes you can still lock the clasp on the belt loop model. I've found that you have to use a small knife or other object to get in behind the loop and reach the clasp, but it can be done. (This is another reason you need the actual badge when making the holder.) Big O, I agree that the belt clip model is more versatile but I have had trouble finding a metal clip that will open up wide enough to slip over some gun belts. Some of your higher quality off-duty gun belts can be up to 1/4" thick in order to accommodate a pancake holster or a tunnel and loop holster with a fully loaded firearm. The extra weight in the belt prevents the hoslter from "rolling out" as it would with an inferior belt. Like I said before, it's really a matter of personal preference. I just like to offer another option. Also Particle, don't hesitate to ask your customer for the badge if you need it to complete the project. I feel like most anyone would rather give you their item to ensure a good fit, whether it be a badge, gun, etc. Not everyone can afford to purchase a training gun in every model to use while forming holsters. I usually require cutomers to give me their weapon at some point during a holster build so that I can use it to bone the holster and check for fit. Good luck! Edited January 17, 2011 by BanjoMan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoubleBarP Report post Posted January 23, 2011 (edited) A while back, I was asked to create a badge holder to match a holster I made for a customer. He wasn't happy with his current one, and wanted to get away from the clam-shell design. He said specifically that he'd like one with a belt loop. I mocked something up, though I don't have a picture handy to post for comments. I was curious if anyone might be willing to share some photos of badge holders they've made that did not use the clam-shell design. Just looking for inspiration - it's my first badge holder and I'm tripping over my own feet with this one. Here is a photo he sent of his current badge holder that he's not happy with. Having carried a badge for 36 years. I am not generally infavor of clipons. Too easily lost during close personal social contacts. I perfer a slide on. Here are two photos of the front and back of my favorite (1.5 inch belt). Regards =P Edited January 23, 2011 by DoubleBarP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
particle Report post Posted January 24, 2011 DoubleBarP - thank you for the photos. Those help a lot. It seems I was drastically over-complicating things. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
