First Holster

[RWP]

usually when i finish one i use a 50/50 misture of resolene and good ol water i tried straight resoline and it was just wayyyy too strong as mike said it can be applied by airbrush dauber etc. so far i've been pleased with the results. which reminds me i need to post on here!

[Big O]

Doug, don't make the mistake of lumping me in with katsass and Lobo. They're the experts here. I've only been doing this for about a year now.

....and most of what little I've learned, I've learned from them and others right here on this forum.

I've got MUCH more experience in using holsters than making them.

So, if there's any conflict, listen to THEM instead of me.

I started out using a 4-prong diamond punch, then went to drilling holes with a Dremel, and finally caved to Mike's advice and started using an awl. There's a learning curve there, but once you get on top of that curve, it's the easiest and BEST way to make the holes. Also much quieter. At least until you make a neat, diamond-shaped hole in a finger......

[katsass]

Doug, don't make the mistake of lumping me in with katsass and Lobo. They're the experts here. I've only been doing this for about a year now.

....and most of what little I've learned, I've learned from them and others right here on this forum.

I've got MUCH more experience in using holsters than making them.

So, if there's any conflict, listen to THEM instead of me.

I started out using a 4-prong diamond punch, then went to drilling holes with a Dremel, and finally caved to Mike's advice and started using an awl. There's a learning curve there, but once you get on top of that curve, it's the easiest and BEST way to make the holes. Also much quieter. At least until you make a neat, diamond-shaped hole in a finger......

BigO (notice that I didn't shorten things down and call you BO): Re: holes in one's fingers. I don't know who the hell it was, but a wise man once said that just because you haven't recently been cut by a sharp knife, you can throw away the band-aids. I got lots of band-aids. Mike

[doug1221]

So I was working on my next holster and had gone down to Leather Factory to get a smaller awl and wouldn't you know the thing snapped making the first hole. Being new to this it very well could've been my fault but I figured I would ask if the metal tools from their stores are usually good quality or should I be getting these types of things elsewhere?

[Nooj]

Hi Doug- nice job on your first holster. There's not much I can say as far as critique, following the advice given by those more established and experienced leatherworkers, lol. As far as leather thickness- one of these great holster makers uses 4-5 or 5-6 oz leather bonded with the flesh sides together, giving a more finished/ lined look to the inside, and a more robust thickness/weight; So if you're unsatisfied with the stiffness or thickness you may try that. (I thought it was Katsass that does that, but it's late, and I'm tired, so I don't want to put words in anyone's mouth and be wrong; resulting in my foot in my mouth).

Like RWP, I've been using a 50/50 or 60/40 mix of resolene and water- it makes it much more friendly to use when you mix it with water. Less streaks and a slightly longer working time, in my experience. It does take several coats in order to get a glossier finish though; but that depends on how glossy you want it. I do at least two just to make sure I've covered it all and it ends up as a slightly satin finish (I apply with a wool dauber, allow to sit for a minute or two, then wipe it down with a clean cloth, leaving the surface slightly wet but even looking- then let it dry... might not be the right way but it works for me).

I think your holster looks nice- I'm working on a Ruger LCR holster myself. Keep up the good work :-)

Nooj