First Try With Hermann Oak Leather

[Shooter McGavin]

I recently obtained a full side of Hermann Oak 7/8oz leather. Until this point I've been using the single shoulders from Tandy in 6/7oz..

This is also my first time using a dye other than eco flo. Based on recommendations on the board I bought some Fiebings USMC black for this project and was not disappointed.

Another first for me was using a Harbor Freight 1x30 belt sander to clean up the edges of the holster after gluing and leaving to cure.

Yet another first, I used a wax mixture on the edges that Lobo was kind enough to hook me up with to try. I think it worked very good even though I did not use any power tools in the burnishing/ sealing of the edges.

And the last first, after watching Particles 3 part video on Youtube, was applying gum traganth(sp?) to the inside of the leather and then a serving of Satin Sheen on the inside to seal it up. Never thought about that before.

So a lot of knowledge and help on the part of a lot of board members went into making this piece. I h ope I did you all at least a little proud with this one. I can see continued improvement in my leather work, which just a month ago, I had absolutely zero experience in. I hope I never stop improving. Thanks all!

[Haystacker]

I like Glocks. But they are ugly. The only thing that can make a glock look good is a good looking holster. You have created a master piece. I like it.

[troop]

very nicely done Shooter. you are off to a good start leaving behind the Tandy stuff. (even though we all start there) your work looks awsome.

Tony

[particle]

Looks great! Did you notice a big difference in the molding between the Herman Oak and Tandy leather?

[JRCHolsters]

Beautiful work! That is a really nice carry rig. I love the duo color.

[Shooter McGavin]

Thanks all.

Adam: I found that the Hermann Oak seemed tougher to mold for me. Might be due in part to the heavier weight, or maybe I didnt get it at just the right time. I do however absolutely love the grain pattern this piece of hide has, and hope that it is all like that.

[BanjoMan]

Shooter, the holster looks awesome! I also just made the switch from eco-flo to fiebings and I couldn't

believe the difference. It is much easier to use and the finished result was a lot better. It penetrated better

and covered consistently with a couple of coats. What did you use for a finish after dying?

[Shooter McGavin]

Shooter, the holster looks awesome! I also just made the switch from eco-flo to fiebings and I couldn't

believe the difference. It is much easier to use and the finished result was a lot better. It penetrated better

and covered consistently with a couple of coats. What did you use for a finish after dying?

After the dye, I applied a coating of neatsfoots oil and let that soak in overnight. Then 3 coats of satin sheen on the black, 2 coats of super sheen on the brown. i warm up the leather with a heat gun between coats and buff with an old t-shirt before the last coat fully dries.

[dickf]

Looks good, Shooter! Did the holster firm up for you after molding?

It almost looks like heavier leather than 7/8.

[Shooter McGavin]

Looks good, Shooter! Did the holster firm up for you after molding?

It almost looks like heavier leather than 7/8.

It did stiffen up nicely. I force dry them after molding in a "hotbox"

Also, damn good eye you got there. I looked at my packing list and it is actually 8/9 weight.