Another My First Holster And Belt Thread

[CodaWolf]

Ok folks at the urging of my kids I have decided to share my first belt and holster. I have to apologize about the photos but I didn't want to get the big camera out ( I had a full weekend getting certified as a 4H shooting instructor.) The belt was my first large scale hand stitching project it is two layers for a total of 1/4" think with the outer layer being vinegarooned. I have been wearing the heck out of it and I must say I am enjoying the stoutness of it. The holster is an IWB for my Tanfoglio Witness 45. My only gripe is the thickness of the leather did not allow to bone the details that I wanted. I only had 8-9 oz from tandy and my stitching below the trigger guard was a little low.

I had talked my better half into trying stamping and carving a while back to help with her stress levels and she took to it like crazy and it has proven to be just the outlet that she needed. So she did the basket on the mouth piece.

I think about the only things I would change currently is to move my stitching closer to the trigger guard and go down to 6-7 oz leather maybe even 5-6. And reduce the size of the re-enforcement for the throat.

[marine mp]

CodaWolf,

A exceptional beginners piece, no doubt. You"ve identified your own stitchline/trigger guard problem and the only other thing that you might change, in my opinion, is to make the re-enforcement piece a little smaller. It looks to wide to me and at 8-9 oz. it make for about16-18 oz. total thickness. Myself, I don't see the need for that piece, to begin with. I know it's function, but believe you can do without it, but it seems to be a fad these days. Also, a fantastic belt. I may one day want to torture my hands a and do one myself. Excellent work. Semper-fi Mike

[Eaglestroker]

The whole rig looks really nice and you should be proud of it. I can't tell if it's the picture or not, but the tooling doesn't look like it has much depth to it. I'd recommend your wife read a little bit on casing leather on here - it made my stamping a hundred times better over night.

[CodaWolf]

The whole rig looks really nice and you should be proud of it. I can't tell if it's the picture or not, but the tooling doesn't look like it has much depth to it. I'd recommend your wife read a little bit on casing leather on here - it made my stamping a hundred times better over night.

Thanks the feed back always helps to give one a little more confidence. The stamping started off a lot deeper but as I formed the throat it stretched the leather and caused it to fade out. She has some great projects but I just can't get her to put any of them up hear yet. But if it is helping with the stress levels that is all that matters. Lets face it doing something with our hands can be a great form of stress relief. I may never sell any thing I make but the benefits to my mental state while making sewing a belt or holster are well worth the cost of materials for either myself or the better half. Besides it allows us to show the kids that you don't have to play on the computer or xbox to occupy your time there are many hobbies out there that you can do and maybe make a little side money or gifts. I know the kids love to pound on the leather with her.

[wizard of tragacanth]

Looks really good for a first holster. I would guess that though this is your first holster, it is not your first leather project. Correct?

Nick

[CodaWolf]

Looks really good for a first holster. I would guess that though this is your first holster, it is not your first leather project. Correct?

Nick

Not my first leather projects but my first attempt's at saddle stitching and using veg tan leather leather for projects. The belt was my first attempt to saddle stitch anything. Growing up I have helped my dad chrome tan a few deer and sheep hides even a few brain tan projects, then mainly primitive projects for black powder and rendevues. Dad has switched over to a bark tan for his sheepskins, man they turn out nice that way, he has even managed to get my little sister interested in doing them that way. Nothing better than a pair of wool lined moccasins for the winter