I Guess It's Time I Came Out Of My Shell

[Stitch Dex Holsters]

Here are a few holster I have made. I have not been doing this long but I am pretty happy with my results.

I make a different kind of hybrid holster....Well a little different. I never liked the rivets used to hold the kydex on the leather of a normal hybrid. I also didn't like how flimsy (is that a word?) and the hardware showing in the back. So I decided to make what I would like to see. The Stitch Dex holster is what I came up with. I know its not for everyone but it is comfortable.

Do you guys think I may be on to something. Or am I about to go down in a horrible manner

[dakotawolf]

Looks good to me. Maybe it's the photo, but make sure you make enough space to behind the trigger guard to get a full grip on the holstered gun. I notice the tight space in that area the most on the Glock 19/23/(whatever the 357sig one is) one the most.

[Stitch Dex Holsters]

Thanks for the input. That was a problem one the first few I made because I wanted the stitch line to go all the way around. Once I quit worring about that I could make it easy to get a hold of the grip. The last pic showing the back was one of the first couple I made and it suffered from that problem.

Edited April 4, 2014 by Stitch Dex Holsters

[RoosterShooter]

The one thing I have never liked about Kydex holsters is the indention in the trigger area. There have been documented cases of firearms being discharged due to the holster being too 'aggressive' in the trigger guard area. That's something to keep in mind.

[Stitch Dex Holsters]

The one thing I have never liked about Kydex holsters is the indention in the trigger area. There have been documented cases of firearms being discharged due to the holster being too 'aggressive' in the trigger guard area. That's something to keep in mind.

Im sure this has happened, but I think they call that thinning the herd On this type of holster it would be highly unlikely. I am not a fan of full Kydex holsters, but I do like mixing leather and Kydex. I make full leather and the hybrid and for looks I like the full leather, BUT for comfort I cant find anything close to the hybrids. I had given up on conceal carry in IWB style until I made these.

[supercub]

I've made a couple of hybrid holsters, and even sewed them to the leather rather than using rivets. I was never really happy with how they looked. I like the way you buried the plastic beween the leather layers. It gives a much cleaner, professional look.

That said, I'm still not a big fan of kydex - but I think your holsters are really well done and probably the most practical ( and comfortable) IWB style I've seen. I may just have to try a kydex hybrid one more time.

[Stitch Dex Holsters]

I've made a couple of hybrid holsters, and even sewed them to the leather rather than using rivets. I was never really happy with how they looked. I like the way you buried the plastic beween the leather layers. It gives a much cleaner, professional look.

That said, I'm still not a big fan of kydex - but I think your holsters are really well done and probably the most practical ( and comfortable) IWB style I've seen. I may just have to try a kydex hybrid one more time.

Thank you!

Here is one I finished up today for a buddy of mine.

[midwestislander]

One of the better looking holsters using kydex.

[Dwight]

I never thought I would say it, . . . because I never figured I would see it.

But you do make a good looking hybrid.

Of course, . . . part of my experience is a guy who looks like he cuts his leather with a chain saw, . . . uses an ice pick to make his rivet holes, . . . and when he's not making kydex holsters, . . . his toaster oven is probably doing "hot pockets", toaster waffles, or strudles.

Yours look good, . . . thanks for bringing the kydex idea up to a reasonable standard.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Stitch Dex Holsters]

That means a lot... I thought this would be a tough crowd to please with a piece of Kydex attached anywhere to leather . Im not sure this type of holster really has a place. Leather guys want leather and if you like Kydex well.....you like Kydex alone. I guess I am an odd Duck.

[camano ridge]

Actually leather kydex Hybrid holsters have been around for while. Tucker holsters, Crossbreed and others have been on the market for some time and have a fair following. I must say that I do like the way yours is done with stitching insteead of rivets or screws. However I will be interested to see how the stitching wears over time.

[Stitch Dex Holsters]

However I will be interested to see how the stitching wears over time.

This is a concern of mine also. When I glue the back on, I coat the back side of the stitching heavely in an attempt to stop all of the movemrnt possible. I guess only time will tell but I feel good that it will last.

[BHPshooter]

Hybrids have never been my personal taste, but wow -- those are the best-looking hybrid holsters I've ever laid eyes upon.

[supercub]

This is a concern of mine also. When I glue the back on, I coat the back side of the stitching heavely in an attempt to stop all of the movemrnt possible. I guess only time will tell but I feel good that it will last.

I noticed that you stitch through the facing leather and the kydex and rely on glue (and a perimeter stitch) to keep everything together. While it may have a slight impact on the looks of the back of the holster, have you considered sewing through both layers of leather and the kydex? Seems like this would keep everything tighter. I did a couple of mag carriers like that, and they worked pretty well.

[Stitch Dex Holsters]

Good point supercub, I will keep that in mind

[Dwight]

Stitch Dex, . . . OK, . . . you got my curiosity up, . . . a friend came to me a couple weeks back, . . . needed an IWB for a Bersa Thunder 380.

I had to scrounge, . . . found my one and only piece of Kydex, . . . and remembered this thread.

Mine is not as good looking as yours, . . . but just for kicks and giggles, . . . I made him an IWB using your technique, . . . and I have to admit that I am far more impressed with hybrid holsters now than I was before I made that one.

It is comfortable, . . . and for now we are awaiting the "show and tell" after a couple months of use.

Again, thanks for sharing.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Stitch Dex Holsters]

Glad to hear you are happy with the project. It looks like you stitched all the way through the leather.

I am curious to know if the thread will irritate someone when they wear it next to their skin. That was one of my concerns. Nice job!

Please let us know how it does.

[Stitch Dex Holsters]

Here are a couple more off the bench

this is a glock 26 customer wanted a single stitch around the form...I think I like this the best

Edited April 16, 2014 by Stitch Dex Holsters

[Dwight]

Glad to hear you are happy with the project. It looks like you stitched all the way through the leather.

I am curious to know if the thread will irritate someone when they wear it next to their skin. That was one of my concerns. Nice job!

Please let us know how it does.

Actually, . . . he always wears a shirt or a tee shirt under his holster, . . . just like I do.

I had thought of not stitching through it, . . . but my Tippmann pulls a pretty tight stitch, . . . and I got a bit concerned about the thread laying across the back of the kydex, . . . going in and out of the adjacent holes, . . . and was a bit worried about any movement causing the kydex to sever the thread.

That was the precipitating thought that made me decide to stitch it all the way through. Kydex in my slim experience with it, . . . doesn't do well with contact cement, . . . and I was afraid that slight movement could cause it to fail.

I see Jim at least once a week (one of my church elders), . . . so I'll be able to update as needed.

Again, thanks for the design idea.

May God bless,

Dwight

[koutlaw]

Thank you!

Here is one I finished up today for a buddy of mine.

Is this Fiebings dye? Spirit or Oil?

[Stitch Dex Holsters]

its Oil dye airbrushed on

[Dwight]

Glad to hear you are happy with the project. It looks like you stitched all the way through the leather.

I am curious to know if the thread will irritate someone when they wear it next to their skin. That was one of my concerns. Nice job!

Please let us know how it does.

Well, . . . first report is in, . . . he liked some of it, . . . some of it needed work.

I had to go back and chop the ears off it above the clips, . . . and put a sweat shield on it.

Thought of ripping it apart and re-doing the whole thing, . . . knew I'd never hit the same holes in the kydex, . . . so I just, . . . uhhh, . . . modified it.

It's a prototype anyway, . . . having fun, . . . thanks to you.

Thanks again, . . . and I probably mentioned it before, . . . but if I didn't, . . . you do beautiful work.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Jimbob]

Kydex holsters....hmmm

Never liked them never made them never will carry one!

That one said, urs look very handsome and very well made!!

Here it comes....I justabout garantee u that I can, especially in cold weather....stand behind u and shear on of ur belt....I got ur gun and u have clips hanging of ur belt.

If u hate ur gun and want to ruin ur finish...use kydex.

If u want to have ur stitches cut and come undone make a sewn in kydex holster.

Last one:try to reholster a gun into a stiff narrow kydex holster...then try that into a somewhat flexible leather holster....and I mean super fast in an emergency situation...u will be doing better in leather....!!

Ohhh and try to carve kydex....haha....yeahh I know that's a lame one.

Made my point, my final is....ur holsters still look good!!!!

Jimbob

[Stitch Dex Holsters]

First let me say thanks for the complements! I will not get into the whole leather vs Kydex, all I will say is they both have their positives and negatives. I make both and enjoy making all Leather holsters too. What I will say, is you said a whole lot for someone who admittedly doesn’t use Kydex. These are inside the waistband holsters …..I doubt you will stand behind me and rip anything off…As for sewing through the Kydex and the stitches breaking, I guess only time will tell. I have carried A Glock every day fo the past 10 years , and yes it shows holster wear, BUT it showed wear when I used an all leather holster. I wouldn’t put a pristine Colt Python in a Kydex holster but I wouldn’t be carrying a Python everyday, either. On the re-holstering....I dont think I have ever needed to RE-holster FAST, but still, on an inside the waistband holster the kydex makes it easier for me because it hold its shape. You did make a good point on carving the kydex, I will give you that one.

[Stitch Dex Holsters]

Well, . . . first report is in, . . . he liked some of it, . . . some of it needed work.

I had to go back and chop the ears off it above the clips, . . . and put a sweat shield on it.

Thought of ripping it apart and re-doing the whole thing, . . . knew I'd never hit the same holes in the kydex, . . . so I just, . . . uhhh, . . . modified it.

It's a prototype anyway, . . . having fun, . . . thanks to you.

Thanks again, . . . and I probably mentioned it before, . . . but if I didn't, . . . you do beautiful work.

May God bless,

Dwight

Glad you are having fun with it. I dont want to post a link but if you go to my website or youtube and search "stitch dex" I have done a build video. it might help on your next ones. Feel free to ask questions I am glad to help. The first one I made was UUUUUUUGLY!!