Pancake-style for a 3.5-inch 1911

[OldNSlowMarine]

Here's a classic all black pancake-style I recently finished for a client's 3.5-inch 1911. I really like making these without the Reinforcement Panels on the front. 

[chuck123wapati]

you got that down pat really nice work. How thick is that leather

[OldNSlowMarine]

  On 12/17/2021 at 7:23 PM, chuck123wapati said:

you got that down pat really nice work. How thick is that leather

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Thanks! Wickett and Craig veg-tan, split to 8oz, 'holstered' with pasted flesh

[PastorBob]

 Very nice.  Clean lines and great molding.  Vacuum press?

[OldNSlowMarine]

  On 12/18/2021 at 11:58 AM, PastorBob said:

 Very nice.  Clean lines and great molding.  Vacuum press?

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Thank you. No press, no vacuum. Wet molded while the holster was wet with dye. I dip-dye. This one has been dyed twice. Once when the leather was cut, then a second time for molding.

[jrdunn]

I know that "too tight" is relative but does crisp molding around the ejection port make it difficult to draw?  It is a handsome holster!

[JLSleather]

  On 12/18/2021 at 1:20 PM, OldNSlowMarine said:

This one has been dyed twice. Once when the leather was cut, then a second time for molding.

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No fair double dipping

I don't go that deep in the port simply because i dont' want anything "catching" on it.. I want the holster to slightly "smooze out" the profile - like the snow fills a ditch - so it doesn't catch shirts, pockets, etc.. and telegraph that it's there.

Holster looks good, though ... and nuthin' I said should be taken as "negative" or "bad" ... just each his own.  I AM wondering how you got the trigger area so F L A T ...

 

Edited December 18, 2021 by JLSleather

[OldNSlowMarine]

  On 12/18/2021 at 2:09 PM, JLSleather said:

No fair double dipping

I don't go that deep in the port simply because i dont' want anything "catching" on it.. I want the holster to slightly "smooze out" the profile - like the snow fills a ditch - so it doesn't catch shirts, pockets, etc.. and telegraph that it's there.

Holster looks good, though ... and nuthin' I said should be taken as "negative" or "bad" ... just each his own.  I AM wondering how you got the trigger area so F L A T ...

 

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It was pushed out some from the inside after molding. Draws just fine. With the flat side of a Tandy stainless steel folder.

https://tandyleather.com/products/craftool-pro-foldercreaser-stainless-steel

[OldNSlowMarine]

  On 12/18/2021 at 1:39 PM, jrdunn said:

I know that "too tight" is relative but does crisp molding around the ejection port make it difficult to draw?  It is a handsome holster!

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I definitely had to manipulate it some from the inside to keep it from locking up. 

[Hags]

I generally do a reinforcing piece but dang I like that detail! I get what your saying about the ejection port,  you gan get great detail and relieve it from the inside and keep the lines.  Very nice!

[AzShooter]

Super detail.  I like this holster a lot.  You really nailed molding it.  I use vacuum bags and they just don't give that much detail.  I'm thinking of buying a better vacuum.  Mine is just an old shop-vac.

Is it hand stitched as well?  Nice stitching.

[OldNSlowMarine]

  On 12/20/2021 at 5:32 AM, AzShooter said:

Super detail.  I like this holster a lot.  You really nailed molding it.  I use vacuum bags and they just don't give that much detail.  I'm thinking of buying a better vacuum.  Mine is just an old shop-vac.

Is it hand stitched as well?  Nice stitching.

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Thank you! No, I don't think I could hand stitch much anymore. I use a Cobra Class 4.