I didn't know about any of this until today. The big upside is that I got the bad news & the good news at the same time. Much easier that way.
I've loved the belts and holsters from Lobo. I think the concept of the "off set" belt clip on his IWB is emblematic of Ray's approach to his craft. Brains as well as skill!

Yippee Skippee!!

Great news indeed

Understandable...but let's say I order an enhanced pancake...can I expect it to have the same features and options as what you would make? And I hope the color line doesn't change...I've never seen a more beautiful tan than yours....

Congratulations Ray. I just found out when I was looking to order my 3rd holster from you. It is a well-earned retirement. You done good!

Interesting questions. As I have pointed out the new owners have expressed a desire to keep the product line the same and production methods the same. They have also requested that I be on-site at their production shop for the first several production runs to assist in maintaining continuity.

So, I think we can safely assume that Lobo Gun Leather will remain substantially the same.

But how many people would seriously consider purchasing a business without acquiring the right to direct that business as they feel is best or right? Lobo Gun Leather has a couple of product lines that are relatively low production, and the new owner may decide to drop those products. The new owners, being experienced in leather working, will very probably see a number of things that can be done differently, whether to facilitate production or to achieve a superior result.

Lobo Gun Leather is moving from southern Colorado (a relative desert region with low humidity and lots of sunshine) to northwest Iowa (a region with far more rainfall and other differences in climate). Such differences will undoubtedly require some adjustments, particularly in dyeing and finishing operations, and some variations can be expected.

I do know that the new production facility is much larger than what I have been operating in, and the owner's family includes several skilled people to contribute to production. So production capacity will be much greater and waiting times are likely to be reduced, which will potentially benefit a lot of customers.

Finally, the new owners are much younger and have far more ambition and drive to make the business succeed than old Lobo Hisself can maintain these days.

I expect good things to come.

Congratulations on your retirement, Ray. My Lobo Enhanced Pancake is hands-down my favorite holster of all time, and I'm glad to have one from the hands of the master. However, I'm also pleased that your legacy will live on with new owners. It sound's like you've found buyers that want to carry on your tradition of quality craftsmanship in a family business. Can't ask for much more than that.

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Jim - M&P Pro 40L/Shield 40

So, when are are you anticipating that we can place orders?

I really enjoy my Lobo enhanced pancake holster. Also, look forward to my new upcoming Lobo holster from the new manufacturer. Congratulations to the new owner and to Ray upon his retirement.

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M&P45, 9L, Shield9

Inquiring minds want to know

The plan is to transfer the business about the first week in November. The new owners should be ready to start taking orders by mid-November, and those who get orders in early can expect the shortest waiting times.

Sorry Ray. I won't be taking orders until January. My sewing machine will be here next Friday but the cow won't be here until late December.

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

Having a commercial stitching machine in your West Hollywood apartment will probably put you in violation of dozens of California zoning and industrial laws. Keeping a cow in West Hollywood will probably identify you as one of the more trendy dudes in the neighborhood.

Don't forget to clean up after the cow and always take the 50-gallon pooper scooper with you when you walk your pet on city streets (in-line skates optional for this activity). Be careful what you allow your cow to graze on in that neighborhood. Maybe some of the better on-line dating services can hook your cow up with appropriate companionship, but I suppose a few of the movie people and attorneys will be willing to help with that (pre-nuptial agreements advised).

Hello everyone my name is Mark, I am the new owner of Lobo Gun Leather. This past week end my sons and I went to Pueblo Co, to pick up Lobo Gun Leather and brought it back to Northwest IA. We had an enjoyable time with Ray he is a out standing gentleman that we have enjoyed getting to know. We will have some big shoes to fill, but we are looking forward to the challenge. As we progress forward we will continue to produce the high end gun leather and accessories Ray offered. Ray is planning to come to our new shop next week for the start of production so that what continuity will continue. Thank you everyone for your kind words of support that you have expressed we look forward to interacting with you.
Mark
Lobo Gun Leathers

Welcome to Mark and all at the new Lobo Gun Leather.

Happy to see the tradition continue. There's some big shoes to fill (we love Ray around here), but your leather craft as Sioux Leather looks excellent; Lobo Gun Leather appears in good hands and we're all pleased for it.

Onward and upward...

Welcome Mark. I, for one, am glad to see you carrying the torch so to speak, of Lobogunleather.
Ray's announced retirement hit me in the gut as I was set to purchase more of his leather goods, and thought I lost that opportunity forever.
I'll be sending an order in shortly, thanks again for keeping the line alive.

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Sure you did

Gosh, I'm getting all choked up here with all the kind thoughts and comments. Today is Veterans Day, and I am a Vietnam veteran, and it is also my birthday (LOTS of candles on that cake), so I just feel kind of special about all of this.

I'll be heading out to Iowa this weekend and spending the next week or so with Mark and his family at the new Lobo Gun Leather shop. I think this will be very good for everybody involved, including the customers.

Now that I have transitioned from hide-pounder to Technical Advisor I will probably have to start dressing a little better, maybe even shave every week or so. I am willing to make those little sacrifices in my lifestyle for the good of the business.

For now I'll just sit here and count Mark's money, hoping that all of you old boys will keep the cash flow going to support old Lobo Hisself properly in retirement.

Best regards to all.

Happy Birthday, Ray. Thank you for your service to this nation.

Happy birthday Ray! Welcome to the forum Mark and I'm looking forward to ordering some holsters from you!

Happy Birthday Ray!

Thanks to you, and all Veterans, for their service and sacrifice of keeping this country free and great!

I am always humbled when I look at the time frame in which I served and then realize how much so many others have sacrificed just a few short years from when I was in.

One of my best friends was a Vietnam Veteran and I always looked up to him for the things he had done and the man he was.

Welcome to Mark and I look forward to ordering in the future. You do have big shoes to fill! But I feel certain that if you weren't capable of doing so Ray would not have given you the opportunity.

Mark, hopefully you monitor this site, and if so will you give us the new website, email, and mailing address for ordering the products. Thank you and welcome aboard.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Dang Ray, I just heard today. I recommended you to two new shooters. Now I find out you are retiring. May you have the very best retirement possible. The holsters you made for me are outstanding! Also I wear your belts daily carry or not. It was a pleasure to do business with you.

Hope you had a great birthday and welcome home.

Enjoy your retirement!

Enjoy your well deserved retirement. Looked at your web site on different times, and your skill is truly commendable.

Thank you,

Henry

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Henry

Saturday, November 21, 2015. Update from northwest Iowa:

Old Lobo has spent the past week at the new location of Lobo Gun Leather to assist Mark and Matt as they worked their way through the first production run.

The first major difference is that Lobo Gun Leather is now being produced in a 2400 sq. ft. facility, rather than the original 500 sq. ft. shop. Lay-out and work flow is substantially improved. Dyeing and finishing operations can be done is a separate area away from other production processes.

The shop is equipped with multiple work stations including 2 heavy duty stitchers, a couple of lighter duty stitching machines, a hydraulic press, separate tooling and carving station, and far greater storage capacity for leathers and supplies.

Matt and Mark are both experienced leather workers, having operated the custom shop "Sioux Leather" for several years. Their skills and experience in all aspects of leather crafting are excellent, and in many ways exceed Old Lobo's (self-taught). Acquisition of Lobo Gun Leather represents an expansion of their business interests, and these gentlemen are serious about continuing the product line and production methods as expected by long-term customers.

We have worked through over 30 pieces representing just about all of the Lobo Gun Leather products, with Mark and Matt doing the work and Old Lobo observing and answering questions. There have already been a number of potential improvements in producton processes identified.

We are all very gratified by the responses received. Order volume has been every bit as good as when Old Lobo was still hobbling along, and everything points toward continued success in meeting customer needs and expectations.

I will remain on-call for consultation and available to respond to future needs at the new Lobo Gun Leather production facility as Mark and Matt, with Luke coming along as well, carry the load and serve the customers.

I have retired with no doubt that my company will continue to grow and serve the needs of customers all over the world with 'serious equipment for serious business', produced by top hands with a commitment to quality.

An excellent update, and as top-shelf a vote of confidence as can be hoped for. Thank you, Ray.

Should be receiving my new Enhanced Pancake plus belt and magazine pouch from Mark and crew shortly.

I'll be curious on how it compares to the workmanship of the three holsters I have from Ray but do appreciate the diligence when passing the colors.

Keep us updated. I've been waiting to see how the new product compares with the old before I order.

And I have a Pancake & Compac dbl mag pouch on order as well. Looking forward to them.

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July 4, 1776 not Jan 30, 1909