I've been trying my hand at some holsters and need some real opinions. With each one I learn a little more. My skins tough so let it rip.
First is a black one for my M36 snubbie. Then one for my 3" M625 that I finished Thursday. What do ya'll think?

I love your work Greg.................your ears must be burning
I was just bragging about your work to AlleNframe

I'm proud of my new 686 holster! Thanks again Buddy!

Well I hope you like it and enjoy it. You've helped me a lot in the time we've been friends.

Sorry. I'm no critic about this stuff. Holsters are functional art. once they perform as intended, then it's all personal preference. I've been making holsters for 40 years, but only got confident to make them for other people 25 years ago.
I know what you do. You see holsters you like. A bunch of them. but all of them aren't JUST RIGHT. So you decide to make them yourself. You tackle it because you're already a little artistic anyway. You combine ideas and features then add your own touches. But you wonder if your talent so far is keeping up with what you visualize in your head. And people will honestly tell you how great your holsters are. And they'll mean it. It'll make you feel great but YOU'LL see something wrong. It'll be subtle. You'll walk by the holster and look at it and something will bug you. so you confront that the next time you make one.
Then all of a sudden, one day, it'll just click. You'll always be your own worst critic but you'll know it feels right.
I sell and post pictures of my holsters a lot on these forums. but after all these years I don't feel qualified to act like an expert because I hit new obstacles everyday that try my confidence.
I think you're doing great stuff. Personally, I prefer white thread on oiled or tan leather. The dark thread is a distracting contrast to me. White is more subtle. But again, personal preference.
I spent all day today making holsters for people so that's why it was on my mind so much to ramble on like this. but it's so cool seeing other people here into it like I am. It ain't the most common hobby or line of work that others can relate to. Like being a chimney sweep or something. How many people do you know can relate to this stuff?
I think you are doing great. Make sure you always use a stitching groover. But for that to do any good you have to make sure you cut smooth contoured edges. In leatherwork, like most things I guess, if you skip or screw up ONE step, everything else afterwards suffers.

You sure hit the nail on the head with those statements. I guess I am my own worst critic. I see things I wish I'd done different and will try on others.
I appreciate your response because obviously you have a lot of experience doing this stuff.
I think I just need to keep at it and gain more confidence.

Very nice work..

I agree about the dark thread. Your tooling is wonderful. My personal tastes would lead me to want less or no dark stained background, but I sure wouldn't turn one of your holsters down over that.


Keep it up, you may have found your retirement job.

Your holsters look professional to me. Good job!

Charlie

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SWCA # 2294

I think you're doing a darn fine job!

The only thing I would want different is neither dark, nor white thread, but a very light buckskin colored thread, and if at all posiible, finer stitching ( as in smaller size, not workmanship).

Very good job if you ask me.

I love 'em! I still haven't gained the confidence to try carving yet. Maybe some day.

About the only thing I see I would change is to not expose any of the trigger area at all. Completely enclose it. Wouldn't take much, looks like you cut out what I would have kept. For example this is a Lobogunleather for a 2" 19. Notice how he enclosed the trigger area.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Thanks for the responses and suggestions. I'll be trying some different things as I make some more.
gregintenn, get you a few tools and give a try on some scraps. The tooling is what I enjoy. I'm struggling with the finishing part.
Thanks again.

Well, I think your holsters are beautiful just as they are!

Are you making any for sale? Any for 1911 pistols?

Thanks GKC. I have not tried a 1911 yet but will eventually. Have not tried selling any either but would like to eventually also. Right now I'm making them for friends and myself. We're the guinea pigs.

Nice looking holsters. The only thing I could say is to try and keep the outside edge of the leather even with the stitching line. Then also the carving border even once again with the stitching line on the other side of it.

Those three lines having an even spacing from one another add alot to the flow of the whole piece. Keep the arcs nice and even and avoid any abrupt changes in line flow of the leather cuts.

Also I'd make the amount of leather from the stitching toward the outside edge of the holster just a tiny amount less. Not much, but just enough to avoid it looking bulky. I'm certainly no leather worker so you guys know the limits there.

Stitching color, staining, carving, etc are all personal choices and what one customer adores, another will turn their back on. It's the quality and small details in the construction that are the basis for a good item.

Stay with it, you're doing great!

Yes, nice holsters indeed. I also like my trigger completely covered.

Nice!!

I like the carved all black version better, but if you'll send that 3" 625 along I'll try to get used to the other one as well!

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

Nice work, I would be proud to own a piece of craftsmanship like that.

Looks great Greg! I remember seeing the one for the model 36 the day you pulled it out. I was amazed. The new one looks great too. I like the contrasting colors. Keep it up, and keep us posted.

I advertised a couple of holsters for sale on another internet forum last winter, and had to turn down more orders than I made. I stayed covered up all winter! There is definitely a matket for handmade holsters!

Here's my opinion; Wanna make me one for my P6? That second one with your Inits. is really sharp.

Thanks for the responses and suggestions again.
My plan is try to sell some but for right now I'm still learning. I want to get better at the finish work with some different types and work on my border lines like 2152hq mentioned above.
Ogandydancer, I'm not good enough,like Wyatt, to make one without having the gun to fit to it. So right now I'm doing them for the guns I have. Now if you want to send me the gun for a while we'll see what we can do. LOL.

Well, I'm certainly willing to be your friend!

I do think you are on the right track, and you will be able to sell these commercially.