A couple of my latest holsters

[carguy4471]

Here are two of my latest.  Thoughts?

 

20170220_214649 by Duane J, on Flickr

[CaptQuirk]

They don't look bad. The basketweave looks like it flattened out on you? I've had that happen too, when trying to stamp and mold. Really good job on the molding though

[JLSleather]

I like the black one better.  But then, I'm not a big fan of basket stamped, so ...

 

[carguy4471]

21 minutes ago, JLSleather said:

I like the black one better.  But then, I'm not a big fan of basket stamped, so ...

 

I'm not a big fan of the basketweave either but I thought it would be a fun, simple and inexpensive way to try out my first stamping project.  I think it was worth it just for the reps behind the mallet.  I made two identical ones, one for the XDM and one for a G19.

The black one is also the only one I've had the privilege of making out of herman oak.  Some nice leatherworker was kind enough to send me enough to try out and compare to the economy grade shoulder I've been using from Tandy.  I learned quickly that I'm either buying the best stuff Tandy has on hand (and ignoring the price) or finding a way to get some herman oak.  

In all reality, the economy shoulder isn't ALL bad.  But in less than a dozen holsters or so I've learned to eyeball the parts that aren't going to be great for a holster.  Typically nearer the edges.  The bulk of the center is ok-ish.  Still not near top grade leather but certainly decent enough to practice on and start getting my feet wet.  

Every holster I make is noticeably better than the one before it is some way so I feel I'm doing alright so far.    This is mostly due to the folks here that have taken the time out of their days to answer my endless sea of questions.  They'll know who they are.  

[JLSleather]

10 minutes ago, carguy4471 said:

a way to get some herman oak.

Wickett & Craig makes some nice leather, too.  Just sayin'.

And you are correct... the best leather is along the spine of the animal, in the butt end.  The rest is "downhill" from there, with the belly being the bottom of the totem.

Either HO or W/C will sell you "backs".. no belly leather.  Even then, I generally cut off and pitch the neck area.

[JimTimber]

What's so bad about the neck and belly areas?

 

I like the black one better too.  They both look nice.

The cant of the brown one looks a little shallow and for me would be harder to draw.  I've got a 22 degree cant (often called the FBI cant) on my IWB and find that it's more comfortable for all day carry because it rides behind my hip bone when seated (4 O'clock position), and it's easier to draw.  I can sleep on top of a 2011 in my holster - it's that comfy.

[Josh Ashman]

1 hour ago, JimTimber said:

What's so bad about the neck and belly areas?

Belly leather is stretchy and  won't firm up. It also doesn't tool well, it's too mushy to have crisp defined marks. I don't have too much trouble with neck leather although it does often have wrinkles on it and if you're using skirting that hasn't been split it can get really thick in the neck.

I buy leather by the side and always find a use for about everything. It seems to me that if you just buy the bend the price per square goes up enough that you could have had the whole side for the same final dollar amount. I have pushed it and thought I'd make some "questionable" leather work and had to remake the project because I wasn't happy with it. 

Just my 2 cents.

Looking good Carguy. I'd stop your weave short of the edges and run a cam border around it. 

Have a good day folks! 

[JLSleather]

11 minutes ago, Josh Ashman said:

It seems to me that if you just buy the bend the price per square goes up enough that you could have had the whole side for the same final dollar amount.

Just FYI

As a rule, I have found about a $30 difference between backs and sides.  Since I wouldn't pay $30 for the belly, I don't order it.  Plus, if you're shipping 10 or 20 (or for some people 50) sides, that's quite a bit of weight to pay shipping on for leather I don't use.

Ironic, maybe -- every time this comes up, I offer to buy sides "next time" if someone wants to buy the bellies AT COST.  Never had anybody take that up, though ..

[Josh Ashman]

Good points JLS! I can usually find a use for my bellies but I dang sure wouldn't want any extras! They make OK liners if you don't expect much out of them. I'm close enough to SLC that I usually just go pick my leather out in person so the shipping doesn't affect me and I'm small time enough that I only get a side or two at a time. Circumstances and type of operation would dang sure have an impact on what makes the most sense for a person. 

All the best! 

[JimTimber]

I must have belly chunks then.  They don't tool for squat, but the holster is no different than when I made it 6 years ago.  Since it's entirely inside my pants or behind my gun against my skin, I really couldn't care less what definition it has or not.  

[chiefjason]

Edges are hard to burnish on belly leather too.  I use it in knife sheath welts sometimes.  I got one that was too soft last week and the welt sanded away before the rest did.  The welt ended up inset.  I ended up ditching it for other reasons and remaking it anyway.  I try to find uses for it, pocket mag holders or covers for clips.  But some to it is just useless.  

[JLSleather]

Josh makin' saddles, likely can find a use for bellies for lining something, or wrapping something... etc.  I have used a bit here and there for belt LINING, small front pocket wallets, things which won't get any hard use or stress.