First holster, give me your critique and criticism

[TheITMan]

22 minutes ago, Josh Ashman said:

That's a really good looking first holster, nice job!

Canvas as JLS suggested works well to burnish. I use cordura nylon, it works well too. You can cut up an old pair of Levi's and use them too, but the dye will rub off on your edges although on black edges that isn't a problem. Whatever you use, just make sure to wet the edge first. I use a sponge for that. then rub in one direction until it starts to gloss up a bit then rub both ways. Glycerin saddle soap, the bar, kind also works well on edges. I'll rub a notch in the bar and use it as a slicker. A little moisture then a rub down with the bar saddle soap will also usually smooth down the flesh side of your leather. Time and wear will also take care of that. 

One way to have the T nuts covered is to "sandwich" them between the layers of leather instead of having them exposed on the back. 

Again, nice job.

Josh  

Thanks for the input Josh, nice to hear from another Josh every once in a while. I'll have to invest in some canvas. Where might I be able to source saddle soap locally? What store chains Sell it? 

[Josh Ashman]

Well hello Josh,

You should be able to find it in any feed or tack store. Tractor Supply Co. or something like that. Amazon also carries it, just search "Fiebings Glycerin Saddle Soap". I've heard people say that the yellow bar Neutrogena soap is about the same thing but I've never tried it. 

All the best, Josh

[TheITMan]

ah there is a Tractor Supply Co. right down the road from my place. ill have to stop by there and look into it. not a whole bunch of stuff out here. gotta order most stuff online. thanks for the tips. sadly im allergic to the Neutrogena stuff. something they put in it does not agree with my skin. unfortunately this is one that i will have to defer to someone else to be the guinea pig. ill see if i cant stop by the Tractor Supply Co tonight and pick up a bar. ill post the results hopefully tonight or tomorrow. 

 

Cheers. 

[dikman]

Yep, the Neutrogena soap is glycerine-based (it's in a wrapper with a black strip on it here). I had to look up the MSDS because I'm experimenting with it as a boolit lube and I didn't want "conventional" soap in the mix.

[TheITMan]

ill have to get a bar and give it a shot. if its the same as the neutrogena i may have some issues using it tho... dont like hives. 

[Red Bear Haraldsson]

Is there any real difference or preference between the bar of soap and the can of soap? I have the can of yellow saddle soap and use an old t-shirt rag wrapped around Tandy's multi-size wood slicker and it works 'fairly well' but I still haven't made an edge and been happy over it. I usually end up with a "Well, I guess it's all right." kind of feeling.

[Josh Ashman]

Hey Red Bear,

I think there is a huge difference between the paste soap, white or yellow, and the glycerin bar soap. Both are fine for using as a leather cleaner/conditioner and both put a little wax shine on tack or boots but the paste isn't very good for edges in my experience. One of the nice things about the bar is you can wear a little groove, or series of grooves into it and use it just like you'd use a wooded dowel slicker. It works pretty well for me. I still hand rub with a piece of cordura and sometimes use a wood slicker too but the bar soap is good step for me. 

Have a great day folks, 

Josh

[TheITMan]

so i went to the local feed store. didnt have the bar soap. i did pick up the tin soap to help condition the flesh and flats and it worked great. was less than impressed with it on the edges tho. ill have to order a bar online. thanks for the input guys, all the info is mucho appreciated. 

[Red Bear Haraldsson]

Agreed, much much appreciated. I'll have to pick up a bar as well.

 

[dikman]

ThelTMan, see if you can figure out what's causing your allergic reaction -

Triethanolamine, TEA Stearate, Sodium Tallowate, Glycerin, Water, Sodium Cocoate, Sodium Ricinoleate, Sodium Oleate, Cocamide MEA, Sodium Stearate, BHT, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Trisodium HEDTA, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Fragrance (Scented option only)

(I can't even pronounce some of these!!!).