Second attempt at a holster

[DocDaddy]

I really like how this one turned out except for some splatter to the skull which I am actually leaving alone.  What can I do to keep from getting a gap around the edge?  I sand the edges down prior to burnishing but there always seems to still be a gap.  Thanks.

[Bolt Vanderhuge]

Gap? can you provide more info and pics of the issue?

[Double Daddy]

Nice color and skull pattern effect ...I would be interested as to how you kept those separate...that part turned out great. So do your belt slots...my very first looked beaver-gnawed...nice punches weren't in the budget when I first started. 

I'm with Bolt...can't see what you're talking about...gap? Give us some close-up pics of the edge work, please. Thanks!

You might want to work on your stitch line in reference to its location from the weapon...it needs to follow the contours of the handgun a little more closely...unless it is your intent for this slide to be for more than one pistol. Also, bringing the weapon up out of the slide holster a bit would give you a bit more gripping space than appears to exist currently and would get rid of that sweeping stitch line at the back near the trigger area.

The way I see it, slide holsters are a mixed bag, opinion-wise. Some folks love 'em (low profile...especially if you have to take your weapon off for some silly reason...you can leave the  low bulk slide on without drawing much attention...it looks more like just part of the belt than other holsters). Other folks are like "meh...take 'em or leave 'em". Still, others hate them because part of the slide/barrel sticks out below...they say this can cause the weapon to be pushed up and out of the security and safety of the holster (not a good thing). I've worn some before I started making holsters...made and sold a few since I started...seen many makers on here that I respect on both sides of the argument...read good points from both. TETO, I guess. 

Good luck to you...

Edited November 20, 2017 by Double Daddy

[DocDaddy]

It is really more of a seam instead of a gap.   Thank you for the feedback. The skull was created with the use of a custom vinyl decal cut out of some scra vinyl I had laying around. My original decal had cutouts for the nose and a ring of stars around the crown of the skull hence the splatter. I plan on creating a skull without these cutouts if I decide to do another punisher skull in the future. I wanted a really low ride  on this one. The belt cutouts are the bane of my existence.  I have so much trouble punching through two levels of leather. I plan on switching to an avenger style on the next one. 

[Baratz]

The oblong punches at Tandy are pricey but they give such a nice clean result.

[DocDaddy]

What size punch is this?

[Baratz]

1 1/2"

[alpha2]

Often the seam on the edges can be caused by a too thick layer of glue, or not enough glue... Too thick and it shows because the leather doesn't get close together. Not enough glue and the leather can separate. 

Also, it's important to pound the layers together when you've glued them. Also you can put a heavy weight on the pieces to hold them tight while the glue sets up. Lastly, it may be the kind of glue you are using. If it's any of the commonly mentioned glues on this forum, I wouldn't worry about that. 

I'm fairly certain the issue is glue technique related. Having said that, you might be able to rescue this holster,  (although it's unlikely any non-leatherworker would notice) with numerous coatings of edge paint with a lot of sanding in between coats. Kind of a body filler approach!

[plinkercases]

Agreed on the glue issues. I also think that using bees wax or equivalent "fills" the flesh to help avoid the seem effect. Maybe too late now but as Alpha you could try building up with edge paint/kote... nice punisher and the splatter is an happy accident.

[DocDaddy]

53 minutes ago, alpha2 said:

Often the seam on the edges can be caused by a too thick layer of glue, or not enough glue... Too thick and it shows because the leather doesn't get close together. Not enough glue and the leather can separate. 

Also, it's important to pound the layers together when you've glued them. Also you can put a heavy weight on the pieces to hold them tight while the glue sets up. Lastly, it may be the kind of glue you are using. If it's any of the commonly mentioned glues on this forum, I wouldn't worry about that. 

I'm fairly certain the issue is glue technique related. Having said that, you might be able to rescue this holster,  (although it's unlikely any non-leatherworker would notice) with numerous coatings of edge paint with a lot of sanding in between coats. Kind of a body filler approach!

This explains a ton. I am using Fiebings leathercraft cement but I am not hammering it out and I am not weighting it down either. Thank you for the tip!