So about a month ago I decided to get into leather working for something to kill a little time. After a couple of small projects I decided to make a holster. Found out I really need to work on my hand stitching and pattern making. Anyways got my very first holster ready last night



Then today I did a Food Saver super suck molding process



Need to refine that as it left some lines in the leather. All in all it worked well and I had some fun.

Nice work.

I've done my share of that. I wish I still had the gumption to do more of it. Holsters, mag pouches, etc. usually for older guns that no one made holsters for, at that time. It was rewarding in it's own right.

Nice.

Now let a dog chew on it for character marks.😆

Looks pretty decent. I keep saying I want to get into a little leather work but.....

Nice, I recently made a few holsters for some single actions.







I recenty acquired a 1911 and need to make a holster for it.

Last year, I made several leather tote bags for my daughters and wife, 5 bags total and learned the basic stich in the process.


Never thought of using a vacume sealer. Going to give it a try on the Bisley holster.

Pretty good looking!

Be aware using vacuum sealer bags will leave a coarse impression on which ever side is against the rough bag side. I used a ziplock bag with the top open to insulate but it still left some indentation on the back of the holster. Sure did form it well though.

Nice work…

Those will work fine

Was that a damp process using the vacuum sealer, where you had to wet the leather?
Do you use a simple hand stitchers or a machine?
I think that holster looks good and gives me a push to try my own.

Bringing this up for 3rd attempt and to answer questions above.

The wet process, soaked it in warm water for about 45 seconds, some say till the bubbles quit others 30-45 seconds.
Leather is 9 oz veg tan. Hand stitched using wax thread saddle style.

The vacuum sealer this time i used a junk piece of 2 oz veg tan as a backer to stop the coarse side of the bag from indenting the leather, didnt get the vacuum bag completely smooth on suction so theres a couple charater marks.

Let sit ~ 1 hour and hand rub the outline a couple of times to finish forming. Then remove from the vacuum bag and bake in the oven @ 135-150* for 45 minutes, remove and air dry from there. Took about 2 days.

Stitching looks great on the last one!

Scoony…looking at those two holsters together got me to thinking (dangerous 😊). On the light one, you have a strip along the mouth of the holster to stiffen it.

Instead of stitching it down, if you could make it longer so it would extend in a “U” around the front of the holster and then secure the ends with something like Chicago screws; that would be your retaining strap vs. having a strap with a button on the end like the other holster has. If it was made a little short, when rotated behind the trigger spur, it would pinch the mouth of the holster together a bit too.

In any event, I admire your handiwork. I don’t think I have the patience.

very nicely done ! when can we start ordering holsters ? take care,Pete53

Thanx guys.

Looks like pretty darn good work and better than I could do.

Very nice! I admire people who demonstrate their craftsmanship.