Well I went and did it

[snubbyfan]

As many here know, I make leather stuff. It's good therapy for my gimpy hands, it's relaxing and I can make a few bucks. I don't advertise much because I know it'll go from a self financing hobby to a job. Then it's a pain in the bottom.
When I make something for myself, I use "economy" grade leather and save the good stuff for clients.
Recently, I've had people asking about leather products, so I threw some stuff in a box to show them some of my work. I also had a request from the forum and I sent them a picture with my 442 in one and a blue gun in the other.

I got to looking at the holsters made with the top grade leather, it snapped cleanly onto my carry snubby and had the perfect amount of retention. My old holster kinda squished into place. I like the design of the new holster better too.
That's my old holster on the left.

This is a shot of the inside of the two holsters, I didn't even bother dyeing the inside of my old holster.

I'm going to start using the new holster, it's just so much nicer than the old holster. I figure it's ok, I can just show the tan holster and tell people that I can make the same thing in brown, dark brown or black.

 

[Worshipbass12]

Looks great man!!! Do you do belts?

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[snubbyfan]

9 ounce dress belt.

13 ounce tool belt.

And a 1/4" thick gun belt made of two 9 ounce leather straps hand stitched together.

 

[Model 15-4ever]

Very nice looking holster! Great job… I like a vertical draw.

 

[BCDWYO]

Both the holster and belts look great Snubby!...I suspect you'll be getting a few PMs!

 

[Worshipbass12]

I'm definately making an order, but since i'm poor i gotta save up some cash

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[mmathras]

hand-stitiching....

Your hand-stitching is absolutely beautiful!!! Are you using an awl or double needle?

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

How about a western holster for S&W Model 28 with bullet loops?

 

[snubbyfan]

Your hand-stitching is absolutely beautiful!!! Are you using an awl or double needle?

There's 2 things I'm really picky about, my stitch line and my edges. Too many times have I seen a really nice lookin' hunk of leather marred by bad edges or a sloppy stitch line.
I use a Diamond stitching chisel to make the angled diamond holes and ensure perfect consistent spacing.

Then I do a 2 needle saddle stitch using waxed nylon thread, passing each stitch over the needle and paying close attention to the angle of the hole. It takes a while but I think it looks better and it's stronger than a machine lock stitch.

 

[snubbyfan]

How about a western holster for S&W Model 28 with bullet loops?

That can be done, only problem is I'd need the gun.
Right now I only have molds for a J frame snubby, a 1911a1 and 4" K frame. When I get some cash ahead I plan on ordering more.

 

[islamoradamark]

great looking gun belt

 

[locolobo]

I'm bald so I guess I can reply, nice belts!

 

[pagedeveloper]

Neat work

I like the work that you did on the holster. What other leather work do you do??

 

[kozmic]

Well they're not cat pictures, but they are pretty cool just the same snubby!!!!

 

[the ringo kid]

These look great and, this belt:

looks very similar to the one I wore when working for the State. It was the most favored belt I ever had.

 

[the ringo kid]

Ill probably take my P-38. How far away is the target? I heard the classroom hrs was dropped to 4?

 

[Rastoff]

snubbyfan,
Have you ever made a guitar strap?

 

[SPU]

Beautiful work. You should be proud of the effort and accomplishment of fine quality leather you are displaying. As a "ahem" large boned guy, what sized belts can you make?

 

[islamoradamark]

just wondering do you make belts for guys that were there belts right above there knee s [just joken]

 

[snubbyfan]

I like the work that you did on the holster. What other leather work do you do??

Since I do custom leatherwork, I've made lotsa different stuff. I mostly work in 8/9 ounce vegatable tan leather.
Stuff like, left handed knife sheaths.

A set of leather coasters with a wooden holder.

Lighter belt pouches.

And other stuff.

 

[snubbyfan]

snubbyfan,
Have you ever made a guitar strap?

Haven't had a request for one yet but most of the stuff I make is one off.

Beautiful work. You should be proud of the effort and accomplishment of fine quality leather you are displaying. As a "ahem" large boned guy, what sized belts can you make?

The tool belt's a size 51" belt. If your waist is 60" or less I should be able to fit ya.

 

[adams484]

Love the belt keeper!

And a 1/4" thick gun belt made of two 9 ounce leather straps hand stitched together.

I like the belt keeper nice work. And the squishy holster was probably due to the leather used not age or design. It looked mighty fuzzy inside on the flesh side. I love seeing other peoples work. Thanks for the pics.

Best to ya...

 

[adams484]

Me too when hand stitching.

There's 2 things I'm really picky about, my stitch line and my edges. Too many times have I seen a really nice lookin' hunk of leather marred by bad edges or a sloppy stitch line.
I use a Diamond stitching chisel to make the angled diamond holes and ensure perfect consistent spacing.

Then I do a 2 needle saddle stitch using waxed nylon thread, passing each stitch over the needle and paying close attention to the angle of the hole. It takes a while but I think it looks better and it's stronger than a machine lock stitch.

Ohhhhh yes.... Hand stitching is always better. Way better than a lock stitch from a machine. Plus the waxed thread if you use it just finalizes the deal. I have experimented many hours trying to get as close to hand stitching look as I can from my machine but fit and finish wise hand stitching is usually better. That is only my opinion as I am not an expert.

Nice work thanks for postiing!

 

[snubbyfan]

I like the belt keeper nice work. And the squishy holster was probably due to the leather used not age or design. It looked mighty fuzzy inside on the flesh side. I love seeing other peoples work. Thanks for the pics.

Best to ya...

It definitely was because because of the fuzzy flesh side.
A standard belt keeper just didn't match the mass of the belt.

Ohhhhh yes.... Hand stitching is always better. Way better than a lock stitch from a machine. Plus the waxed thread if you use it just finalizes the deal. I have experimented many hours trying to get as close to hand stitching look as I can from my machine but fit and finish wise hand stitching is usually better. That is only my opinion as I am not an expert.

Nice work thanks for postiing!

That's interesting, when I first started I tried to make my stitches look machine stitched, even doing a hand stitched lock stitch then going over it with an overstitch wheel.
Now I much prefer the look and strength of a properly done saddle stitch.

 

[reddogge]

Very nice work.

 

[kozmic]

snubbyfan,
Have you ever made a guitar strap?

Ha! I was thinkin' the same thing last night Rastoff! What's that they saw about great minds????!!!!

 

[Rastoff]

I was gonna send a PM, but I think this might be something others would like so...

I'm reluctant, but excited to talk about a guitar strap. They can be just as personal as the instrument. I'm an electric bass player and the instrument is heavy. So, I usually look for a wider strap. A 3 1/2" to 4" is about the right width. The problem with ordering a custom strap is that most leather workers make things that are intended to be stiff like holsters and belts. A guitar strap is not that way. It needs to be soft and supple. Otherwise it will chafe as it is used.

Even so, I'm willing to take a chance if the price is right. Because it will be "one off", I can send you the length and it can be made out of one piece. I'm not looking for a lot of tooling, but one symbol like this cross would be great(it wouldn't be this large):

 

[RightArm]

Great stuff. If I didn't already have in excess of 10 belts, I'd offer to buy one from ya. Who know? Let me think on it. Love your work and after all, how much is too much.

 

[snubbyfan]

I was gonna send a PM, but I think this might be something others would like so...

I'm reluctant, but excited to talk about a guitar strap. They can be just as personal as the instrument. I'm an electric bass player and the instrument is heavy. So, I usually look for a wider strap. A 3 1/2" to 4" is about the right width. The problem with ordering a custom strap is that most leather workers make things that are intended to be stiff like holsters and belts. A guitar strap is not that way. It needs to be soft and supple. Otherwise it will chafe as it is used.

Even so, I'm willing to take a chance if the price is right. Because it will be "one off", I can send you the length and it can be made out of one piece. I'm not looking for a lot of tooling, but one symbol like this cross would be great(it wouldn't be this large):

Ya got me thinkin'. I have a double shoulder of a type of leather called milled vegetable tan. It's 3 to 4 ounce. Most belts are 8 to 9 ounce. Milled veg. tan is a softer, more supple leather, making it unsuitable for belts or holsters. I had planned on using it to make soft sided pouches to put up for sale at the various fairs and festivals around here.
Now if I were to cut 2 wide straps and stitch them together so the grain side is on the outside of both sides it should make a strap more supple than regular veg. tan yet strong enough to support a bass and soft enough to not chafe. I don't know how well it'll tool, I'll cut a hunk off, pound on it with a mallet and see what I get.
Now as far as carving that symbol on it, I agree it'd look pretty cool but with my peripheral neuropathy I have problems controlling a swivel knife. I've been trying to find alternatives but I haven't found anything that works yet. Not sure if it can be carved anyway.
I'm not sure of price but it'd be under $100.