Old man learns new trick

[YouveHadYour6]

They look pretty darn good to me. Say, if I can ask, what's that sort of chestnut revolver pattern on the far left in the middle, between your 1911 rig and the CZ holstered? Looks like it'd look perfect with some of the great 'adventure' revolvers of yesteryear, your longer-barrel H/Ds or Colt New Services perhaps.

Keep up the great work and enjoy!

 

[flagaman1950]

Very nice work. I wouldn't be embarrassed to strap any of those on.

 

[pasound]

Impressive! A novice maker? You need to get a stamp or branding iron made for these!

 

[PittsburghJon67]

I have been retired for nearly ten years now. Two years ago my wife and daughter conspired to get me off the computer and doing something with my hands, so they bought me a leather starter kit. I am an old-fashioned steel gun and leather holster kind of guy, but I had never had a desire to work with leather, but kit in hand, leather on the table I started to play with it. (The leather, not "it.") I am hard-headed so the only instruction that I got was learning how to saddle stich with a Handi-stitcher; five minutes on the internet. Low and behold, I found that I really liked it and have been learning ever since. I probably do everything upside down and backwards. I will not live long enough to master the art, but perhaps I will live long enough to make an honorable place to hold a handgun. I make my own patterns, but I am not above trying to clone other's work. (There are only so many ways to wrap a gun in leather) I don't make them to sell, so I only have to satisfy myself.

Since I can not judge my own work I would really appreciate some honest assessments of the results of my new hobbie. I am tough, I know I am a novice.

Looks better than lots of people could do, you should be proud. And they work, too.

 

[GravesT]

I dabbled in leatherwork in my mid teens. Made a few wallets and belts but nothing remarkable. When I was 16 I bought my 1st firearm, a 'Dixie' Colt Walker. I got a holster pattern and made one for it myself.
I think that was the last leather project I did, good tool-able leather was getting prohibitively expensive, and I moved on with other hobbies. 45 years later I still have the Colt Walker and the holster I made, and it reminds me of better days.

 

[65-2x2]

They're all great looking holsters. Have you wet molded? The black one looks like maybe a little. Wet molding with some boning or vacuum forming would give you a little more definition and maybe retention.

Leatherworker.net is a great resource for ... well, leathercrafters.

Thanks for your comments. I do wet mold to a small degree. I try to make the holster a little too tight and then stretch it wet.

 

[majortoo]

I have been retired for nearly ten years now. Two years ago my wife and daughter conspired to get me off the computer and doing something with my hands, so they bought me a leather starter kit. I am an old-fashioned steel gun and leather holster kind of guy, but I had never had a desire to work with leather, but kit in hand, leather on the table I started to play with it. (The leather, not "it.") I am hard-headed so the only instruction that I got was learning how to saddle stich with a Handi-stitcher; five minutes on the internet. Low and behold, I found that I really liked it and have been learning ever since. I probably do everything upside down and backwards. I will not live long enough to master the art, but perhaps I will live long enough to make an honorable place to hold a handgun. I make my own patterns, but I am not above trying to clone other's work. (There are only so many ways to wrap a gun in leather) I don't make them to sell, so I only have to satisfy myself.

Since I can not judge my own work I would really appreciate some honest assessments of the results of my new hobbie. I am tough, I know I am a novice.

 

[65-2x2]

They look pretty darn good to me. Say, if I can ask, what's that sort of chestnut revolver pattern on the far left in the middle, between your 1911 rig and the CZ holstered? Looks like it'd look perfect with some of the great 'adventure' revolvers of yesteryear, your longer-barrel H/Ds or Colt New Services perhaps.

Keep up the great work and enjoy!

It is a fit for a S&W K frame.

 

[Wdbutcher97]

Beautiful work! I'd be proud to own any of your holsters!

 

[65-2x2]

Look good to me. Only thing I’d change is the strap on the revolvers, I like mine to secure the hammer, but that’s me

I prefer hammer straps too, but sometimes I like to try to do things differently.

 

[Squib_Load]

Good work. Those are handsome holsters.

 

[Rudi2]

Yep, I agree with the others -- looks pretty darn good!

 

[Topduarte]

Good job.

 

[RobertG1948]

I have been retired for nearly ten years now. Two years ago my wife and daughter conspired to get me off the computer and doing something with my hands, so they bought me a leather starter kit. I am an old-fashioned steel gun and leather holster kind of guy, but I had never had a desire to work with leather, but kit in hand, leather on the table I started to play with it. (The leather, not "it.") I am hard-headed so the only instruction that I got was learning how to saddle stich with a Handi-stitcher; five minutes on the internet. Low and behold, I found that I really liked it and have been learning ever since. I probably do everything upside down and backwards. I will not live long enough to master the art, but perhaps I will live long enough to make an honorable place to hold a handgun. I make my own patterns, but I am not above trying to clone other's work. (There are only so many ways to wrap a gun in leather) I don't make them to sell, so I only have to satisfy myself.

Since I can not judge my own work I would really appreciate some honest assessments of the results of my new hobbie. I am tough, I know I am a novice.

Your work is amazing. You can never have too many holsters.

 

[RobertG1948]

Your work is amazing. You can never have too many holsters.

 

[eforest99]

Amazing! I just showed these to my wife, she is ready for me to give it a try! I'm retired with a serious health issue. Inspirational! Beautiful leather and beautiful work!

 

[380shooter]

I have been retired for nearly ten years now. Two years ago my wife and daughter conspired to get me off the computer and doing something with my hands, so they bought me a leather starter kit. I am an old-fashioned steel gun and leather holster kind of guy, but I had never had a desire to work with leather, but kit in hand, leather on the table I started to play with it. (The leather, not "it.") I am hard-headed so the only instruction that I got was learning how to saddle stich with a Handi-stitcher; five minutes on the internet. Low and behold, I found that I really liked it and have been learning ever since. I probably do everything upside down and backwards. I will not live long enough to master the art, but perhaps I will live long enough to make an honorable place to hold a handgun. I make my own patterns, but I am not above trying to clone other's work. (There are only so many ways to wrap a gun in leather) I don't make them to sell, so I only have to satisfy myself.

Since I can not judge my own work I would really appreciate some honest assessments of the results of my new hobbie. I am tough, I know I am a novice.

I do or did , hand tooled leather. Haven't for several years since my wife got sick, we kinds put it away for time being. Thought about getting it our again since my has passed. She did decorative (scenes) while did the regular tooling. Its a great hobby and it looks to me like you did a great job. Keep at it. It helps get rid of frustration also.
SSgt

 

[kjohnson58]

I have been retired for nearly ten years now. Two years ago my wife and daughter conspired to get me off the computer and doing something with my hands, so they bought me a leather starter kit. I am an old-fashioned steel gun and leather holster kind of guy, but I had never had a desire to work with leather, but kit in hand, leather on the table I started to play with it. (The leather, not "it.") I am hard-headed so the only instruction that I got was learning how to saddle stich with a Handi-stitcher; five minutes on the internet. Low and behold, I found that I really liked it and have been learning ever since. I probably do everything upside down and backwards. I will not live long enough to master the art, but perhaps I will live long enough to make an honorable place to hold a handgun. I make my own patterns, but I am not above trying to clone other's work. (There are only so many ways to wrap a gun in leather) I don't make them to sell, so I only have to satisfy myself.

Since I can not judge my own work I would really appreciate some honest assessments of the results of my new hobbie. I am tough, I know I am a novice.

They look professionally done and you should be proud! I wouldn’t mind a nice leather holster for my 39-2!

 

[gunfun51]

I have been retired for nearly ten years now. Two years ago my wife and daughter conspired to get me off the computer and doing something with my hands, so they bought me a leather starter kit. I am an old-fashioned steel gun and leather holster kind of guy, but I had never had a desire to work with leather, but kit in hand, leather on the table I started to play with it. (The leather, not "it.") I am hard-headed so the only instruction that I got was learning how to saddle stich with a Handi-stitcher; five minutes on the internet. Low and behold, I found that I really liked it and have been learning ever since. I probably do everything upside down and backwards. I will not live long enough to master the art, but perhaps I will live long enough to make an honorable place to hold a handgun. I make my own patterns, but I am not above trying to clone other's work. (There are only so many ways to wrap a gun in leather) I don't make them to sell, so I only have to satisfy myself.

Since I can not judge my own work I would really appreciate some honest assessments of the results of my new hobbie. I am tough, I know I am a novice.

Looks like you nailed the basics and ready for some fancy engraving. Looks very nice to me, Keep on with your hobby. it may turn into some $ later on.

 

[moosedog]

Bravo for you and your great family. I really like that European PPK style holster. That must have taken some time.
I tried working with leather years ago but lack the talent that you obviously have.