Guy W Report post Posted August 26, 2011 Greetings, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself to the forum and hopefully get pointed in the right direction. I recently got the itch to explore the craft of leatherworking. I had been looking around for a nice quality IWB conceal carry holster for my 1911 pistol and it sparked the idea of possibly making my own. The more I look into the subject the less confident I am about my ability to learn and execute the process. It seems as though it could be a really enjoyable, interesting, and rewarding craft to learn but I am pretty unsure of where to start. I'm trying to discover what the right tools and materials are, where to find a pattern or how to make one for my pistol, how to put it all together... seems a bit overwhelming. Hopefully some seasoned experts can offer up some getting started tips for me. Thanks I appreciate it. Take Care. ~Guy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ferg Report post Posted August 26, 2011 Welcome to the best and biggest Leather Forum on the Web. There are many posts on the forum about making concealed carry leather. Read all you can from here and ask questions, you will have many. Do start with Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes. ferg Greetings, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself to the forum and hopefully get pointed in the right direction. I recently got the itch to explore the craft of leatherworking. I had been looking around for a nice quality IWB conceal carry holster for my 1911 pistol and it sparked the idea of possibly making my own. The more I look into the subject the less confident I am about my ability to learn and execute the process. It seems as though it could be a really enjoyable, interesting, and rewarding craft to learn but I am pretty unsure of where to start. I'm trying to discover what the right tools and materials are, where to find a pattern or how to make one for my pistol, how to put it all together... seems a bit overwhelming. Hopefully some seasoned experts can offer up some getting started tips for me. Thanks I appreciate it. Take Care. ~Guy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post Posted August 26, 2011 Welcome to Leatherworker.net! First off, NOBODY (except maybe Peter Main) decided one day "I think I'll turn out a masterpiece in leather." We ALL started modestly with pieces that we would now probably consider hideous (though to be fair, a lot of new members are turning out better work because of knowledge base in this site). I feel pretty confident in telling you that you'll probably spend more in tools, materials and especially TIME, than you would on ordering the nicest custom holster you can find. But, you won't have the satisfaction of knowing YOU made it. It's a pretty rewarding addiction hobby, and you'll find yourself exploring different avenues than you originally thought. Ferg has it right- do a lot of reading on this site, there's a ton of instructional material and even more inspiration. The basic tools you'll need to make a holster are as follows: Leather, a needle, thread, something to cut leather, something to mark leather, something to punch holes in leather (so you can get the needle through it) Things that will help you make a better holster: the right kind of leather, in this case- vegetable tanned, stitch hole marker (usually a stitch wheel), stitch groover, a good diamond awl (blade shape), possibly wing dividers, a second needle so you can saddle stitch, an edger, a boning tool, edge slicker, the right tools to cut the leather, glue, snaps, dye, oil or conditioner, a finish for the completed holster, and a pattern. Add more leather for the 'new' holster you make to clean up all the little mistakes you make on the first one, and more time. If you want to do any tooling, you'll need stamping/carving tools including a swivel knife...... LOTS OF NEWSPAPER to keep the drips of dye off of the table/counter/carpet. Just think of all the fun you're about to have! The good news is that you can get a lot of the basic tools in the little kits available from one of the vendors, and you can call the leather suppliers listed at the top of the page and tell them what you want to do and they'll help you get the right leather....all online. We'll be here to help out when you need us, Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guy W Report post Posted August 26, 2011 Thanks for the replies I appreciate the encouragement and welcome. I've been doing a lot of reading and for every answer I find there seems to be 2 new questions but this is to be expected. I'm a self tought computer programmer and web developer for the past 12 years now. I enjoy the challenges and rewards of learning new things and I have a lot of experience learning something new only to find out I need to learn more to utilize the first thing. Some years ago I got into playing poker, hold'em mostly. I absorbed myself in the theory and math of the game, and trying to master the intricate details that are often over looked by most players. I've eventually become a pretty decent player after a lot of years of study. I've had the same obsessive nature for learning things in regards to many of my hobbies. Salt water aquariums and breeding fish, photography, firearms and shooting balistics, among other things. What worries me about getting into leatherwork is that while I enjoy the challenge of learning and mastering things, I am not mechanically inclinded (i.e. building/assembling things, working with my hands, etc.) nor am I very artistic. While I am sure there is a science to working in leather and I am confident I can learn and understand all of that, I also assume there is an art to it which I'm not sure I will ever be able to master. Maybe I'll suprise myself but I am a bit nervous. Not sure why I'm rambling on, guess I'm just looking for some words of encouragement and support from those people that started out and had the same concerns I'm having. Thanks for the help. ~Guy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bkingery Report post Posted August 27, 2011 Howdy and Welcome, Dude don't psych yourself out before you get started, you've got plenty of time. First things first ya know. If you have a Tandy near by go in smell the leather, look around at all the possibilties get a kit, mess around a little get another one mess around some more, there are lots of kits out there that can stear you in the right direction for a holster, but realize once you get started you'll look at everything you see and be saying "Hmm I bet I could make that". Mike gave you a good list to start with. There are tons of books to read but the best ones to learn from I think are "The art of making leather cases" by Al Stohlman, there are three volumes and they usually go for 10-12 bucks each but for thirty bucks the knowledge you will get from them is priceless. Good luck and have a great time. Peace and Love Bryan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
