Latest Holster- Owb High Ride

[Nooj]

Here's a little project I've been slowly completing (and I mean sloooooowly). I glued the front and back pieces together, and tore them apart, and glued them back together THREE times during the construction... Finally got it right, or close enough anyways.

It's all hand stitched with white 277 bonded nylon and my homemade awl. My carving skills are not so great; choppy knife lines, and uneven bevelling. It rides about where I wanted it to, but I need a better belt than the one pictured (too thin and floppy).

What do yall think? How are my edges looking? I sanded, used my new cocobolo burnisher (from 3mutts), and used bees wax. I don't like how you can still see a division line where it is glued- which is common on my work, it's not just because I had to pull this one apart a few times.

Thanks for looking!

Nooj

[marine mp]

Nooj, Very nice holster, indeed. The dye job, is fantastic in black (not easy). The sewing is superb and don't be consumed with the edges. Next time, glue right to the edges and let the glue squart out!!! It is easily cleaned off quickly with a damp sponge. If you can see the glue line after it is edged, it ain't no big deal....just my opinion. Were it me, I would like to see thinner belt loop slots, 1/4" at best. as they will stretch to something bigger when in use. I would also, were it me, like to see the shooter a bit lower in the pocket. It looks a bit top heavy. We strive for a high rider holster, but we still want to be safe about it, as there is no retaining strap. I personally don't like a strap, so for safetys sake, I will put the weapon slightly lower in the saddle. Just my thots. GREAT job. Semper-fi Mike (ps. your edging looks just fine to me)

[Nooj]

Thanks for the critique and complements, leatherneck. I agree with the belt slots needing to be a bit thinner. Being double layered, I wasn't sure how much pass through space there would be with a smaller hole (especially if I make a stiffer, thicker belt to wear it on), so I may have oversized them a bit too much. That's definitely something I'll keep in mind on my next project.

I actually did glue all the way out to the edge on this one, then sanded, and burnished. There always seems to be tiny glue boogers that are visible though... maybe it's the glue I'm using, or just me. Anyways, thanks for your approval on my edges.

The holster does feel slightly top heavy- but I think that's partially because of my inadequate belt. The fit is quite tight, so I'm confident I could stand on my head and the pistol would stay in place. Whether or not that will be true after it's well broken in is a different story! We'll see.

Thanks again for your input- it all helps to tweek and improve my designs and workmanship, and that's what I'm looking for.

Semper Fi,

Nooj

Edited May 28, 2011 by Nooj

[Shooter McGavin]

This is just a pet peeve of mine, and I barely feel qualified to even critique someone else to this extent. I'm not a fan of holsters that dont have the stitch groove on the entire perimeter of the leather. On your particular holster, it is barely noticeable on the front, but stand out big time on the back due to the large sweat shield.

And like I said, it's just a pet peeve, and in purely aesthetics IMO.

[Nooj]

I know what you mean, Shooter. I think the groove does add some aesthetics to it. I'm not sure why I never use it... I guess it's a pet peeve of mine to have a stitch groove without stitching in it, lol. I may do that on my next holster just to see if I like it better that way.

Thanks for the input :-)

Nooj

[katsass]

'Morning Nooj: I like it, you done good. The only thing I see is that it looks to be a bit top heavy ...... as you already acknowledge. As to a gouge line all around, almost all of my holsters are made from a double layer of leather, bonded together on the flesh sides. This requires stitching all around, and other holsters always look sort of 'unfinished' to me without it. Also I don't use sweat shields. Having spent some time in the spring and summer humidity of Miss. and Tenn. I can understand the need for them back there. I live in the desert and today we got hit with cold (40's), wet (42% humidity), windy (35 MPH + breezes), and just plain nasty weather coming down from Alaska. Hell, it's damned near June and should be at least in the upper 80's with humidty in the single digits! But, by Wednesday they say we'll be back to normal, and by Friday in the 90's. I'm ready for it. Mike