Mexican loop question

[dikman]

I think I've finally got a pattern template that looks like it should work (well, it does with cardboard), but having drooled over Josh's stunning stamping I decided I have to do a serpentine pattern. After three attempts at making a stamp I have one that works ok, but (there's always a but, it seems) I'm finding it's particularly difficult to use. I've tried using cut lines as guides, and scribed lines, but it's not easy achieving a consistent appearance.It's made me appreciate even more Josh's superb stamping.

At this stage I'm not about to try it on my holster so I'll come up with a pattern that is more forgiving i.e. if it doesn't quite line up perfectly it won't be too obvious!

[noobleather]

Have just drooled all over my keyboard looking at this thread,some great holsters!

[Josh Ashman]

I've had lots or practice at making poorly stamped/tooled gear. It seems that the more you do it the better you get. My stuff isn't great by any means, but it's better now than when I started. 

Not sure if it's helpful, but the way I do serpentine borders is to scribe my lines lightly, then cut them with a swivel knife, then run over them with whatever the beveler blades for a swivel knife handle are called. Then I do the "hourglass" shaped stamp that I use. I put one of the flat sides into the cut and beveled line and go to work stamping. I use the same side of the stamp all around the one side then do the other side. I used to layout spacing marks but anymore I just "eyeball" them in. When coming into a corner that has to "close out" I'll stop short several inches then work my way out of the corner and try to make any spacing adjustments over several stamps so I don't have one big gap or 1 space that is way too tight. 

Good luck!

[dikman]

Thanks Josh, I just tried using a beveller on the cut line and it helped by giving me an actual edge to use as a guide. Now to look for a cut-type beveller for the swivel knife.

Any chance you can post a photo of your stamp? The one I made is half an hourglass, so I'm curious what you use.

[dikman]

No need for a photo, Josh I think I've figured out what your stamp looks like.

[Josh Ashman]

On 6/8/2018 at 2:44 AM, dikman said:

No need for a photo, Josh I think I've figured out what your stamp looks like.

Very good, sorry for the slow reply! I was goofing at at the lake

All the best! 

[RobP]

Holster 3.emlHello, I'm new to the forum and I know this is an old thread. Im' a novice/ beginner leather crafter and these are some gorgeous holsters here. I have a couple questions about how the loop holsters are constructed. When making a lined holster do you cut the slots in the skirt after you have glued the lining on? Here is a couple of photos of my Bianchi holster. notice the back of the skirt is not cut. Now its obvious that the lining isn't cut so the loop in the skirt had to be cut before the lining went on correct? how would you accomplish this? Sorry for the dumb questions like i said, I'm a novice. Rob..p.s. i guess i don't know how to post pics

Holster .eml Holster 3.eml

Edited December 31, 2020 by RobP

[Dwight]

1 hour ago, RobP said:

Holster 3.emlHello, I'm new to the forum and I know this is an old thread. Im' a novice/ beginner leather crafter and these are some gorgeous holsters here. I have a couple questions about how the loop holsters are constructed. When making a lined holster do you cut the slots in the skirt after you have glued the lining on? Here is a couple of photos of my Bianchi holster. notice the back of the skirt is not cut. Now its obvious that the lining isn't cut so the loop in the skirt had to be cut before the lining went on correct? how would you accomplish this? Sorry for the dumb questions like i said, I'm a novice. Rob..p.s. i guess i don't know how to post pics

Holster .eml 134.01 kB · 6 downloads Holster 3.eml 128.51 kB · 4 downloads

Rob . . . not sure what kind of attachment you made here . . . but they would not open . . . got some goofy "Want to add this to messenger" page from some google or MS page.  Try putting a *.jpg or *.bmp so the rest of us can see them.  

But if I understand your question:  yes glue it all together first . . . make the holster . . . then do the cutting.  Otherwise you have to fiddle with the edges . . . never really getting them a good as if they are cut together at the same time . . . glued together.

May God bless,

Dwight

[RobP]

but how do you keep from cutting through the liner if you cut the slots for the holster loop after the liner is glued. Notice the back of the skirt is not cut but the front of the skirt is for the holster to fit through. Maybe I'm missing something here. If I am I apologize for the dumb questions in advance. Rob

[Dwight]

What you are missing here is that the front is not cut to make a loop.

Another piece of leather is actually added on this holster to give the appearance of a Mexican loop holster . . . but it is of the John Bianchi style . . . two pieces of leather bonded (glued) together make the body of the holster  . . . a third piece is used to go around the holster as a "loop".

That is my favorite western holster to make . . . 

May God bless,

Dwight

 

Edited December 31, 2020 by Dwight