Make you own holster? Let's see it!

[Smithbrother]

I've begun making holsters for my various revolvers just for fun. I started with remnant leather pieces to save money and made a few belt slides for my J Frames. Moved into new leather still within the learning curve of the craft, then began working with Buffalo leather. My latest creation is for my Model 69 that will accompany me to Alaska next summer. I call it the Okiotak. I've also completed a shoulder rig I call the Kenai, for the same weapon also in Buffalo. If there's any interest, I'll post the Kenai later. I call myself Two Feathers Leather, but so far have not made anything for public consumption.

 

[Eaglestroker]

Smithbrother, I think you'll find there are a good many number of folks on here that like to cobble their own wares. Looking at your holster from what I can see my only problem with it would be you don't have a full grip at any point. If full coverage is the desire you may consider a full flap holster so that you can still get your mitts on the guns grip. May just be the picture though. Is the buffalo your using a veg tan? Where do you source it?

Here's one of mine recently sent out to a friend and fellow forum member.

 

[Smithbrother]

My photo is pretty bad. I took it with my phone last night when I finished up the holster. My hand actually fits into the holster for a full grip. I folded over the leather at the opening for that reason and to make the opening a little stiffer as buffalo tends to be very loose and bendable. I'll post a better photo later. I've found that buffalo leather is kind of soft and doesn't take well to stamping but is very tough and thick. The piece I used for this was I think about a 10oz thickness but moves and bends very easilly. In retrospect its not the best stuff for holster making but it was interesting to work with. I got two pieces from Distant Drums leather for about $18 each and made two holsters. I would like to use more exotic leathers but haven't been able to get any yet. I would like to encorporate Carabou into a holster somehow.

I like your holster very much, great stamping work with the basket weave and I like the design. I have yet to try making bullet holders like you have. Are they difficult?

 

[Nevada Ed]

I started in High School with leather shop that was taught by my art teacher.

All the design tools were neat, but I had to test them out first to get the real deal to look at.
Looking at the metal end just is not the same, for me to visualize.

The needle work was slow and tedious but it sure looks nice when done.

I did a full Western belt for my 22 Ruger magnum and died it black.
Had a large Rose and leaf design on the holster.

Did lots of wallet too..................

Leather work is a fun craft and can bring in some serious cash, jut that I did not carry on with it.

 

[snubbyfan]

Smithbrother, I'd be very much interested in seeing more of your work.

Eaglestroker, beautiful work as usual.

 

[Smithbrother]

Smithbrother, I'd be very much interested in seeing more of your work.

Eaglestroker, beautiful work as usual.

I'll post some later when I get to my computer. I'm on my phone now. Looking to make my next project in 7-9oz veg tan cow's leather, speed loader holders for the 69. They're small, cheap and quick.

 

[Smithbrother]

I started in High School with leather shop that was taught by my art teacher.

All the design tools were neat, but I had to test them out first to get the real deal to look at.
Looking at the metal end just is not the same, for me to visualize.

The needle work was slow and tedious but it sure looks nice when done.

I did a full Western belt for my 22 Ruger magnum and died it black.
Had a large Rose and leaf design on the holster.

Did lots of wallet too..................

Leather work is a fun craft and can bring in some serious cash, jut that I did not carry on with it.

I'm a YouTube graduate. I learned some watching Tandy videos but found what really matters is trial & error and artistic license.

 

[Eaglestroker]

My photo is pretty bad. I took it with my phone last night when I finished up the holster. My hand actually fits into the holster for a full grip. I folded over the leather at the opening for that reason and to make the opening a little stiffer as buffalo tends to be very loose and bendable. I'll post a better photo later. I've found that buffalo leather is kind of soft and doesn't take well to stamping but is very tough and thick. The piece I used for this was I think about a 10oz thickness but moves and bends very easilly. In retrospect its not the best stuff for holster making but it was interesting to work with. I got two pieces from Distant Drums leather for about $18 each and made two holsters. I would like to use more exotic leathers but haven't been able to get any yet. I would like to encorporate Carabou into a holster somehow.

I like your holster very much, great stamping work with the basket weave and I like the design. I have yet to try making bullet holders like you have. Are they difficult?

It was more the angle than the photo quality itself, hard to get a full view. The only times I've worked with buffalo it had to be lined with some veg tan to stiffen it up so you may consider finding something with a little less thickness and treating it as an exotic.

Ammo loops are easy - the hardest part is getting your measurements which takes all of 5-10 minutes or so per caliber. That only pertains to stitched loops laced are pretty straight forward.

 

[old&slow]

Working leather is a fun hobby,, just be careful it doesn't become a job.
Lots of folks on this forum do excellent & beautiful work.
I always check out the gun leather section,, enjoy the pictures,, and to get ideas

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I just rebuilt parts of this one I made 25 yrs. ago. New billets and bullet loops.

 

[gregintenn]

We've got a few leather guys here on the forum. I'm learing a lot from them.

 

[Smithbrother]

Wow, you all have some really nice work. I'll post my Kenai rig, pale in comparison as it is. I used 15 oz cow leather to stiffen up the seam where it's stitched. Buffalo does not mold or stamp well so it's pretty plain looking. Here goes, please be kind.

 

[Smithbrother]

Last one of the revers side of belt holster. The fold at the top provides enough stiffness and open back allows a full grip in the holster.

In order to get the stamping to set I had to hit it about five times hard. Tough stuff this buffalo.

 

[Smithbrother]

Working leather is a fun hobby,, just be careful it doesn't become a job.
Lots of folks on this forum do excellent & beautiful work.
I always check out the gun leather section,, enjoy the pictures,, and to get ideas

Oh I like that last one, really nice.

 

[Smithbrother]

Kenai Rig photo. Nutin fancy,

 

[bamabiker]

Welcome to the leatherworker brotherhood. It looks like you are well on your way. Nice stuff.

 

[old&slow]

Smith, Nice work ,, looks like you are getting an excellent start ..
I read that John Bianchi started making holsters on his kitchen table.. And in the early 90's I visited Ernie Hill shop / house in Phoenix AZ. and he was making holsters in his garage.. ( IMO still some of the best competition holsters made.)

( sorry ,, minor highjack )
Eagle,, excellent work as always.. I really like that color of brown dye.. If it's not a trade secret ,, what is it ??
I've tried several different colors of brown & different mfg. and haven't had one I fell in love with yet.. They always seem to come out too red or too tan ,,

 

[Eaglestroker]

Smith, Nice work ,, looks like you are getting an excellent start ..

( sorry ,, minor highjack )
Eagle,, excellent work as always.. I really like that color of brown dye.. If it's not a trade secret ,, what is it ??
I've tried several different colors of brown & different mfg. and haven't had one I fell in love with yet.. They always seem to come out too red or too tan ,,

O&S - no trade secret. You'll need to pull up the website and call Wickett & Craig, and say you'd like to order an 8 oz skirting back only in brown I like to have them split from 12-14 for consistency, and have them holster / plated / resprayed as the back color is removed on the split. It is almost identical to feibings pro oil dark brown split 80/20 alcohol to dye but much easier and cheaper. It's my most popular color but varies from set to set a few shades.

 

[old&slow]

Smith,, I video that you might find interesting...

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFsXw3gabqk[/ame]

 

[rog8732]

I don't want to ignore O P and other guys' work; and of course Wyatt Burp shows some great work he does, but that shoulder rig by Eaglestoker, (his first picture) is unlike any I have seen.

If I see it correctly, there is a fastening system, (button snaps), that allows vertical or horizontal carry ?? And,...if anybody does a more precise job of basket-weave, than him I have yet to see it.

 

[Eaglestroker]

I don't want to ignore O P and other guys' work; and of course Wyatt Burp shows some great work he does, but that shoulder rig by Eaglestoker, (his first picture) is unlike any I have seen.

If I see it correctly, there is a fastening system, (button snaps), that allows vertical or horizontal carry ?? And,...if anybody does a more precise job of basket-weave, than him I have yet to see it.

Roger, I can't claim that idea as it came from a fellow worker in Arkansas ( D.WALLACE.CUSTOMS - h), based off of an older triple K of all things. I made it originally for the glock rig shown in a later post because of the customer. Short chest, long gun. If he had it horizontal it would protrude from his back a fair amount and riding vertically the draw would take your hand above your head.

It basically has a 'clam shell' that wraps around the gun with a pull the dot directional snap. When you pop the snap it allows the inside holster to pivot down for a smooth horizontal draw but keeps it nice and tidy under the shoulder while carrying.

 

[Qball]

I'm to embarrassed to show any of my selfmade holster after seeing every one here.

Impressive work have i seen here

 

[bamabiker]

I don't want to ignore O P and other guys' work; and of course Wyatt Burp shows some great work he does, but that shoulder rig by Eaglestoker, (his first picture) is unlike any I have seen.

If I see it correctly, there is a fastening system, (button snaps), that allows vertical or horizontal carry ?? And,...if anybody does a more precise job of basket-weave, than him I have yet to see it.

Just look up his other posts and you will see some fantastic basket weave work. I've been saying for a while his is as good as any!

And yes, ES, you can see your flaws but to the rest of us they just don't show up.
Great work.

 

[ckcc]

Only made a handful.... my best attempt so far.

 

[rednichols]

I read that John Bianchi started making holsters on his kitchen table..

And suitably crude, too. Here's an early strapless pair: the original Model 1 and Model 2 holsters from the beginning.



Note though that they're machine stitched. So I suggest that this kind of thread "home made holsters" is that, in the end, the difference between a factory holster and a home made holster is machinery.

For example, this holster was home made, and in a garage:



But in the garage is the 5 foot tall steel-cutting bandsaw that the leather parts were cut on, the state of the art Ferdinand stitching machine that holster was sewn on, the hydraulic press that it was moulded to the pistol in, the latest milling machine that altered the gun mould, etc.

So I suggest: when we ask for home-made holsters, we limit them to "no machines" or the average Joe can't compete with the pros who have the specialised equipment and know how to use it.

 

[rednichols]

Smith,, I video that you might find interesting...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFsXw3gabqk

Watched the video, and I don't know Mr. Andrews, but there's a lot more to learn about professionally building holsters -- and how not to -- than I see there. Those folks who have 'figured out' how to make holsters, but not worked for any of the big makers and thereby learnt all the tricks of the trade, are reinventing a wheel that was made to turn better a long, long time ago; starting with Heiser and Myers in the late 30s. Which is now nearly 100 years ago, during which time it turned from a craft into a science. The video is about the craft.

 

[rednichols]

Roger, I can't claim that idea as it came from a fellow worker in Arkansas ( D.WALLACE.CUSTOMS - h), based off of an older triple K of all things. I made it originally for the glock rig shown in a later post because of the customer. Short chest, long gun. If he had it horizontal it would protrude from his back a fair amount and riding vertically the draw would take your hand above your head.

It basically has a 'clam shell' that wraps around the gun with a pull the dot directional snap. When you pop the snap it allows the inside holster to pivot down for a smooth horizontal draw but keeps it nice and tidy under the shoulder while carrying. This is the basic idea, only the belt tie should be pointed down. You can also see how the holster rubs in the 'shell' noted by the dark spot about dead center of the holster.



The 696 rig posted was an all out. I even stamped the interior of the clamshell to see if it would work. There are plenty of folks with better weaves - when I look at that one in particular I just see a bunch of errors. Did like it enough that one will be made for myself at some point in the future

The pivoting shoulder holster was invented by none of the above; it was Ohlemeyer and Gaylord who argued over the patent rights post-WWII. It's meant to be carried only vertically, and the pivot is meant to be mounted in the holster as close to the trigger guard as possible for best ergonomics.

Both DeSantis and Alessi companies make this holster, as a field hunting holster, because the design is extremely bulky and unsuited to concealment save for very small pistols.

 

[snubbyfan]

And suitably crude, too. Here's an early strapless pair: the original Model 1 and Model 2 holsters from the beginning.

View attachment 209917 View attachment 209918

Note though that they're machine stitched. So I suggest that this kind of thread "home made holsters" is that, in the end, the difference between a factory holster and a home made holster is machinery.

For example, this holster was home made, and in a garage:

View attachment 209919

But in the garage is the 5 foot tall steel-cutting bandsaw that the leather parts were cut on, the state of the art Ferdinand stitching machine that holster was sewn on, the hydraulic press that it was moulded to the pistol in, the latest milling machine that altered the gun mould, etc.

So I suggest: when we ask for home-made holsters, we limit them to "no machines" or the average Joe can't compete with the pros who have the specialised equipment and know how to use it.

My stuff's all done by hand. I don't have the room, money or desire to use a bunch of machines.

 

[bamabiker]

My stuff's all done by hand. I don't have the room, money or desire to use a bunch of machines.

Amen brother, I'm with you.

 

[Eaglestroker]

The pivoting shoulder holster was invented by none of the above; it was Ohlemeyer and Gaylord who argued over the patent rights post-WWII. It's meant to be carried only vertically, and the pivot is meant to be mounted in the holster as close to the trigger guard as possible for best ergonomics.

Both DeSantis and Alessi companies make this holster, as a field hunting holster, because the design is extremely bulky and unsuited to concealment save for very small pistols.

Red, I'm not sure if I wrote my message unclearly or it was misread. I wasn't under the impression nor did I give the impression that either were the original designers, only that that's where I originally saw it and that's where he got the idea from. Appreciate the history lessons on it! As you can tell by a compensated 460 Rowland long slide this isn't intended as a concealment rig.

Seeing as I saved my pennies to replace harness needles with a machine I'll remove some of my posts and refrain from further posting. Keep up the good work folks!

Watched the video, and I don't know Mr. Andrews, but there's a lot more to learn about professionally building holsters -- and how not to -- than I see there. Those folks who have 'figured out' how to make holsters, but not worked for any of the big makers and thereby learnt all the tricks of the trade, are reinventing a wheel that was made to turn better a long, long time ago; starting with Heiser and Myers in the late 30s. Which is now nearly 100 years ago, during which time it turned from a craft into a science. The video is about the craft.

I can't speak for anyone else on this forum and won't try too, but it does seem poor taste to talk down on another mans livelihood based on a made for youtube video.