First Rig With Pic

[hth2300]

here it is

[Red Cent]

HTH2300. Got questions. Do you intend to burnish and complete the edges or leave it in the rough? Are you going to dye the leather and/or give it a good bath in neatsfoot oil? Not necessary but I guess we expect it.

I am not a handstitcher so I can't really comment on that.

A straight forward and good design. Good first job. Lot to learn grasshopper.

[hth2300]

I am going to leave this one as is, I did seal it with a clear spray. the next one I am going to dye black and the loops brown. this was more of can I do this and make usable

[katsass]

hth: for a beginning work, it looks pretty damned good -- initially. BUT, (here we go) the edges need burnishing, the belt needs to be stitched, if it's two pieces cemented together (I can't tell for sure, but it sure as hell looks like it) AND, you need to groove your stitch line, (then practice stitching) - before you put the time and effort into actually pulling thread. Stitching is a bit more involved than sticking a needle through the leather one way, then sticking the other needle through the same hole from the other side and pulling it tight. Use of the overstitch would help --- AFTER you stitch in the groove (which ain't there).. The holster lacks molding and the flesh side (inside) is not a good surface to snuggle your favorite shooting iron up to. With no oil, dye, Ausie wax, or SOME damned thing to care for the leather. Then use something to truly seal that thing. You said that you did use a 'spray' to seal itthe leather. and I kinda wonder what that stuff my be. In it's current condition the surface of the holster and belt will most likely show every kind of anything that may touch it.. The the first drop of water, oil, coffee, or strawberry ice cream that hits your rig WILL discolor it (badly) and leave a stain which is permanent. (Murphy's law says that it WILL happen). Now,you may wonder why I say that the rough interior of your rig is not too good. Well, think about it, each and every time you fire any handgun you end up with powder residue all around the muzzle -- in wheelguns, it's at the face of the cylinder also. That crap WILL wipe off and be ground into the rough textured leather, both when going in or coming out of the holster. As that crap builds up it becomes abrasive and, in turn wears the finish of your fine shooter much quicker than a smooth interior. , . IMO we spend more than enough on our handguns, and especially, if it belongs to someone else (a customer) you don't want to provide a surface which will wear the bluing any faster than necessary. Now, proper wet molding would provide some retention or 'grip' on the gun and seat the gun in the same place each time it hits the leather. Finally, in my experience, a closed toe holster has the ability (and inclination) to attract all kinds of small bits of crap, junk, litter, rubbish, or dead bugs waaay down in there, AND NOBODY ever cleans out the toe of a holster. OK, now that I have permanently enamored myself with you, be assured that I'm not putting your effort down, just the opposite. BUT I hope to show you that putting a proper holster together is a bit more of an endeavor than you realize. Mike

Edited November 14, 2013 by katsass

[benlilly1]

Katsass, I learned a lot from your post! THANKS!!

[hth2300]

thanks katsass for your thoughts, some i knew some i did not. remember the second is always better and more complete

[katsass]

My biggest suggestion is to go step by step and always take your time. mike