Holster Stitch Line Success

[SooperJake]

I'm curious as to how many of you get your holster stitch lines right on the first try, especially along the trigger guard?

How many tries does your typical holster pattern require before it is "perfect"?

Also, do you establish a base pattern style and then modify for the specific gun, or start each pattern from scratch?

Thanks,

Jake

[TacticallySharp]

I do 5 to 6 holsters a year. Each one is different. I get it the way I draw it. I do a lot of sheaths, all the hand sewn ones are normally right the first time. It is when I go to the machine that i have to redo them. Most of my work is one of a kind since I forge my knives. No two are exactly the same, thus no two sheaths are the same. Most of my holster work is done to match a knife & sheath I made for a knife client.

[Matt Alsaker]

Eric Adams (Adams Leather Works - aka Particle on this forum) has a great video on making templates. Check out all of his video's: http://www.adamsleatherworks.com/hows-it-made/. I watched them over and over again before I made my first holster. I take a lot of measurements when making a new template. Still, the very first holster I make off that template usually needs adjustments on the stitch lines. I make a second template with the adjustments and I'm usually fine. I probably have 2 - 4 hours (sometimes more depending on the template) into a template the first time I make a new one. I'd rather spend the time there than wasting time on holster I end up throwing away.

Particle - if you pick up on this thread the new website looks great.

[mncarpenter]

I can spen 2 hrs on a template and still throw a holster away or I can use some cheap shoulder from Tandy to make the first one, then I just stitch the gun lines to check for need to adjust.

[steelhawk]

I use belly leather to make test holsters. There is nothing fancy about them, just two slabs just a bit wider than the stitch lines. Most times, one adjustment after the test holster is made gets the stitch lines close enough. Every once in a while, it isn't good enough and if I can't fix it with a second stitch line closer to the gun ( most times not possible), then I have a holster for the junk drawer.

Edited July 12, 2012 by steelhawk

[sgb]

I'm thinking this is a learn by trial and error, at least it has been for me.

[THE MEXICAN]

I did the same thing that Matt did by watching the video and taking the measurements(more than once of course). Everything I do is hand stitched. I have a 2 prong and 4 prong chisel that I use to make the holes and will typically get the lines right the first time. Just my choice to make the holster "by hand", no machines involved (not even for the edges).

[renegadelizard]

it really depends on the gun..revolvers are a real PITA that take at least one adjustment, if not two...blocky guns like the glock are difficult around the front of the trigger guard, 1911's and a lot of the smaller pocket guns are pretty easy, usually right from the pattern...the more you make the more you learn to anticipate the placement of the stick line and how close it needs to be...belly leather gets a +1...it is extremely useful for pattern holsters...

I'm curious as to how many of you get your holster stitch lines right on the first try, especially along the trigger guard?

How many tries does your typical holster pattern require before it is "perfect"?

Also, do you establish a base pattern style and then modify for the specific gun, or start each pattern from scratch?

Thanks,

Jake