billymac814 Report post Posted November 4, 2011 I don't often post my work since it's usually all very similar but a few weeks ago I asked about finding wool felt for an ankle holster I was preparing to make. It wasn't easy finding exactly what I wanted but I finally found it as a saddle pad so that's what I bought. It's 1/2" thick 100% wool felt and it's quite comfortable and pretty heavy duty stuff, it wasn't very easy to cut. I really didn't want to use sheeps skin, mainly for cosmetic reasons, after handling this stuff I have no doubt it'll stand up to probably a lifetimes use, afterall it's made to go in between a horse and a saddle so going between a holster and an ankle will be nothing compared to the abuse it's supposed to recieve. So this was my first design, I made this as a tester before making the actual one that'll go to the customer to make sure the design was ok. The obvious thing that needs changed is the location of the holster in relation to the band, I'll move it up on future ones to allow for a better purchase on the grip, I really can't believe I didn't notice that before glueing it all together but other than that it feels good and wears well and stays very secure. They will end up being rather expensive so I doubt I'll be making a whole lot of them. The design isn't really something I came up with, Alessi and Bulman Gunleather both make (or made) similar looking ankle holsters although I've never seen either in person to really compare. I'm going to make the holster adjustment and try to come up with a more accurate way of cutting the wool for the next one and maybe clean up a few other things. A nice little outcome of this is I now how very thick felt to cut up and use to dye edges, I just hold it in a small clamp, I believe Al Stohlman says to do it that way in one of his books although he used a clothespin. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Haystacker Report post Posted November 4, 2011 Good job. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shooter McGavin Report post Posted November 5, 2011 dang nice work Billy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wizard of tragacanth Report post Posted November 5, 2011 Nice work. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoubleAdobe Report post Posted November 5, 2011 That's a real good looking ankle rig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattsh Report post Posted November 5, 2011 Very nice. Good job. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Warpe Report post Posted November 5, 2011 I like the looks of it. Couple questions: what oz leather did you settle with, and what make it more expensive than other holsters? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billymac814 Report post Posted November 5, 2011 I like the looks of it. Couple questions: what oz leather did you settle with, and what make it more expensive than other holsters? The part that goes around the ankle and the strap is about 3-4 oz, the actual holster part is about 7-7.5oz and the strap is probably about 4 oz. It is basically a holster that's mounted to another fairly large piece so the price would have to be more than just a holster. It easily took 2x longer to make than a regular holster and took more materials. It's hard to guage how much time goes into something the first few times around and I'm sure I'd get a little quicker but it'll probably be twice as much as just the holster would be. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Warpe Report post Posted November 5, 2011 The part that goes around the ankle and the strap is about 3-4 oz, the actual holster part is about 7-7.5oz and the strap is probably about 4 oz. It is basically a holster that's mounted to another fairly large piece so the price would have to be more than just a holster. It easily took 2x longer to make than a regular holster and took more materials. It's hard to guage how much time goes into something the first few times around and I'm sure I'd get a little quicker but it'll probably be twice as much as just the holster would be. Well, you did a great job on it!... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
husker Report post Posted November 5, 2011 Thats really nice looking. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
K-Man Report post Posted November 5, 2011 (edited) ... Alessi and Bulman Gunleather both make (or made) similar looking ankle holsters ... Actually they still do make (and offer) the same design you pictured. http://shop.alessigunholsters.com/Ankle-Holster http://www.bulmangunleather.com/ankle.html Ralston at 5-Shot Holsters makes it as well: http://www.5shotleather.com/ankle-pocket.htm Edited November 5, 2011 by K-Man Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billymac814 Report post Posted November 5, 2011 Actually they still do make (and offer) the same design you pictured. http://shop.alessigunholsters.com/Ankle-Holster http://www.bulmangunleather.com/ankle.html Ralston at 5-Shot Holsters makes it as well: http://www.5shotleather.com/ankle-pocket.htm Ok........ For what its worth(which is nothing, similar to the previous post) Bulman has orders that are over 2 years old, I was in our local gun store and he had Bulman customers calling him asking if there was anyway to get a hold of him to find out where their order was so that's the reason for the "made" comment. If he is making them its for old orders, his site has been saying he's catching up on orders for at least a year now. Bulman is in the town right beside Altoona where I live. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
K-Man Report post Posted November 6, 2011 (edited) Never mind. Edited November 6, 2011 by K-Man Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cjcinin317 Report post Posted November 6, 2011 Very nice. May try one in the future. Won't be that nice though. Great job. CJ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
