Would some of you holster Gurus explain the terms: carved,
tooled, and embossed. What's different? What's best?
Pros & Cons. Thanks.

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In Omnia Paratus

Embossing is a design that is either pressed or rolled onto the leather. It is mostly done on belts, and if you see a belt where the flowers or basket stamping runs off the tip of the belt, then it was embossed with a machine (either hand or motor operated). Less expensive once you get past the cost of the machinery, usually doesn't look as sharp as hand stamped basketweave or floral carving.

Carved and tooled typically mean the same thing. Leather carving is much different than wood carving: In wood carving, material is removed using chisels and gouges to create the image, while leather carving starts with a swivel knife to cut the top layer of the leather to outline the various elements of the design followed by a series of stamps which are used to compress the leather around the cuts, and add texture and dimension to the image. Tooling would also apply to hand basketstamping. More costly to make, but if executed well is much nicer to look at....

Just the opinion of an old Shuckmaker.....

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Mike 'Doc' Barranti

The difference you now know.

What's best depends on two factors.

1. What looks best to you.

2. The holsters should work the same no matter what the outside of the leather looks like. A well made holster is always best, no matter the decorative motif or lack thereof.

It seems that I have read or heard that carving looks great but they cannot
"bone" a carved holster which would effect the fit?

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In Omnia Paratus

Phil, I would not say you cannot bone a carved holster but why would you want to. The boning is not going to show up real well and you would mess up some of the carving.
They just don't go together.

I have not thought boning is for looks, but to mold the leather around
the contours of the gun for a perfect fit?

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In Omnia Paratus

Exactly, but carving/tooling is for looks. You do not want boning running through your carving/tooling.

So I think what we are both saying is tooling/carving makes the best
looking holster, but boning makes the most precise fit.

__________________
In Omnia Paratus

Some guys do not like floral carved holsters so they may not agree with your statement but generally yes that is true.
Although I have seen some mighty nice looking boned holsters also.

Some of my favorites are plain but well boned by guys like Ray (previously
Lobo), Thad Rybka, and Ken Null. But I also have some tooled/carved
that I like a lot. I guess we beat that poor horse to death. Thanks all.

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In Omnia Paratus