What qualities or features do you think separates the best holsters from the rest?

Bragging rights and prestige of ownership for a large part.

Galco, as does DeSantis, for example, makes very well made, serviceable, attractive, and long lasting holsters; but they don't come with the bragging rights that come along with "names", higher prices and long wait times.

Some of the "names," who I won't mention, have gone noticeably downhill, and live on past glory, while others such as Kramer are as great as always.

I've been carrying a handgun daily for 40 plus years, don't care what something costs one way or the other, and insist on quality, not "status".

I've had and handled numerous examples of Kramer in both leather, and horsehide. Probably dozens of such examples of Galco, albeit only cow leather. On merely those TWO brands, Galco would have a slight edge in appearance, like the finish. Kramer is going to have stiffer, stronger, leather, and probably the stitching, also. Their horsehide is like Kydex...only thicker being animal hide. If you wanna try a good mass-produced holster without paying the Galco-tax, LOL, try the Tagua line.

Sorry, El Paso does not belong in that group. Not sure about Nightengale either. To me, what separates the good from the rest? Do they listen to what you want! For example, I like fixed sighted revolvers. If a company tells me the same holster works for a Model 10 and a Model 19, I move on. I want a holster crafted for my particular model of revolver, not some generic bag that can carry any handgun.

If you want good leather, there are several great craftsmen on this forum. They can identify themselves, if they want to.

Kevin

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To answer the original question, Quality of leather , quality of stitching and functional design is what makes a great holster. My local saddle shop has one guy who only makes holsters and he is great. No famous name just lots of experience and quality leather.

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Markham

One really has no choice but to choose by brand, eh, because one would have to have decades of experience to know good/better/best/superior/flawless. On my blog I repeat a list compiled by others that includes about 80 makers of which I recommend only four!

One could get bogged down in the details of construction and materials, as you've mentioned; but they have little to do with what you should be caring about which is WHAT IS THE BEST PERFORMING LEATHER HOLSTER FOR MY PISTOL WHEN CARRIED ON ME.

And you'll always be led astray by comments about 'quality'. All gunleather has 'a quality' but is it bad, good, great? Spend time at a shot-from-the-holster competition at a range and no one there will be able to tell you because they are being subjective.

I like Galco, with one caveat: PAY ATTENTION TO RIDE HEIGHT on the belt. A great holster will carry a revolver with its cylinder coplanar with the belt's width; and carry an auto with the second finger's knuckle just brushing the upper edge of the belt. Otherwise they seem to understand carry angle, leather, finishes, hardware, etc. pretty well.

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

Alessi Holsters is a local “institution”. I had a custom OWB holster made for my SP101 back in the mid to late 90s. It was expensive back then. I wore it for several yrs and never could figure out why it cost 3 times what an off the shelf holster cost. I have 2 friends that swear by them. They have extremely pricey shoulder rigs as well………. Nowadays I’m a DeSantis Belt Scabbard guy.

Between the major holster manufacturers, it’s more about separating the buyer from his money. For me the point of diminishing return for a good holster is $120ish.

Most of my holsters are Galco, but I have several from Bianchi, Rosen and El Paso. Bang for my buck goes to to Galco, with Rosen and Bianchi a close second. El Paso is a quality holster, but I am not big on their looks, the main reason I don’t own a Simply Rugged is their aesthetics and one size fits all appearance. To my eye, they’re the Uncle Mikes of the leather holster world.

I also have a few from Warbird Leather for my 1911s, that are well made and easy on the eyes.

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213th FBINA

Hi, Kevin. I never heard of Nightengale, but why shouldn’t EPS be on the list? Because they are considered more old west and historical or has quality diminished? I think a holster maker might get in trouble posting here because it might be considered self promotion or advertising that can get you reprimanded.

Reputation will do it. As a LEO we talked among ourselves, in the Locker Room, before the Internet. So holsters, on and off duty then were leather. A good quality holster is still good after 40+ years of service.

This is sort of my thinking too. Other than fit (which is a must) durability would be my next most important quality. I think a holster that is still good after 40+ years of service is an excellent example of being the best of the best.

The best holster craftsmen have an ethic higher than the average. They are willing to do whatever it takes to make a superior product regardless of the cost and difficulty. They use the very best materials, best methods, will not cut corners and will not send out a less than perfect product. There are few and far between as most in the business are making mass produced products that they are able to make a big profit on.

Always know I am in for a treat when I see your comments. As usual this answer does not disappoint. Luckily I think I found two makers that fit this description. I prefer small, family owned makers because I know that care is put into every detail.

I've had several Bianchi, Don Hume, and DeSantis, and for my needs, I consider them great quality at a very affordable price that will last a long time. I always wanted a fancy El Paso Saddlery rig with an engraved SAA .45 LC Bar-B-Q gun just for the looks, but then I come back to reality.

In my opinion, the qualities are leather (I prefer full grain cowhide, vegetable tanned and vacuum dried if possible), sewing detail, finishing and boning (the process of molding the leather to perfectly fit and retain the firearm). Precise boning (which takes time and patience) makes the difference between “This model fits Glocks, Desert Eagles and most revolvers” and “This model will only fit one model gun and it isn’t coming out unless you draw it”.

I buy leather holsters from a local maker who’s a one man band. It takes a while but each holster is made, from leather cutting to packaging, by him. He stamps his name on it.

It would seem a common trend with the very best is being small one-man-band or family owned small businesses. I do agree that this tends to lead to more care going into each holster that leaves the workshop. Even with masterful boning work, my old habits of carrying OWB with a thumb strap led me to have one added anyways. Probably not needed with the elite holster makers, yet somehow I just cannot get over the mental block of wanting one to be absolutely sure.

After buying a lot of different brands that didn't quite work. I have saved a lot of money by just ordering either a Kramer or a Milt Sparks right off the bat. Chest holster is Diamond D. I'm all done giving other holsters a chance. I don't need any more that only sort of work. {either ride at wrong height or wrong angle or to flimsy and poor retention etc etc etc}

Kramer and Milt have quite the reputation that's for sure. I am not patient enough for Milt wait times but Kramer I found more reasonable. Never had a horsehide holster so I am excited for that one to come any week now.

I’m a Kramer man for sure. These shown and a new TRR8 being made now

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sadly or fortunately my late father did custom leatherwork... I prefer those that he made for me, or that came with his gun that I inherited... I do own "name brand makers" for things that I have accumulated since he passed, but his are my favorites... everything he made was fitted to the gun & the person... something name brands can't do...

Your father sounds like an amazing guy. I am sure he is proud of you and is still watching out for you every time you carry his holsters. That is an incredible legacy, and I could not agree more with those being the very best for you.

What separates the best leather holster craftsmen? Tall, slender, excellent taste, irresistible to women, and a truly outstanding sense of humor. The rest just seems to come naturally.

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Life of the party until 8:00PM

so you knew my dad?lol

Andrews, Grizzle, Sparks, Ritchie. Leather gear that will last for generations. Kirkpatrick, Palmetto…quickly approaching the excellence of the aforementioned makers.
Funny…people will spend big, big money for grips, optics, gizmos? And all kind of other jetsam for their sidearms, yet are so often willing to cut corners on the one item that keeps it secure and ready for use in a bad situation. Go figure…..
I refuse to compromise on my choice of holsters. All are bespoke and fitted to only the firearm it is meant to carry.

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You left out international man of mystery 😉

Still working on that. It is on the schedule right after humility and modesty. I may get there eventually.

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Life of the party until 8:00PM

I'll say it again because it seems all have missed the point of my post: replies posted are focusing on brand because you have to -- until you KNOW what separates a great design, elegantly styled, sturdily constructed.

These days it depends on which designer of old they copied! All innovation in gunleather ceased in 1985. What we have today is workmanship only :-).

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

Hey Mr. Nichols, sorry to disrupt the thread with this but it seems you've opted out of receiving personal messages.

Where can I find your blog and this list that you mention?

Sr. Google has always had the answer at hand for you: "red nichols holster blog"

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Red Nichols The Holstorian