Beginning Holster Making?

[CountryGent]

I've been kicking around making leather holsters for, well, custom and wacky purposes. Anyone done so and, if so, any tips, recommended reading, etcetera?

Thanks.

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[1911Fanatic]

I used to do it, and still do on occasion. Just for wired guns that I can't find what I'm looking for on the market. Usually just pancake and or Galco Concealable styles. Sometimes pocket holsters too for little guns.

I don't have any pics at present. Oh, I have also made SOB holsters as well.

If you are hand stitching, it's best to use a vice.

 

[2Wheels4Ever]

I've made a few, though I can only find the one picture. Most of my leather work is for knife sheaths. I just watched a couple youtube videos and gave it a go. Maverick leather is local and sells horse butt seconds for dirt cheap.

 

[Snoopy23]

Honestly, just grab a few basic tools and get to work. You can use a fork (kitchen fork or actual leather fork to set hole distance...use a drill and appropriate size drill bit to drill holes in the leather if using an actual kitchen fork), double saddle stitch... its not hard to get into. It's very hard to actually master though. I'm certainly not expert, but it's a fun hobby.

 

[edzz]

Got to love rabbit holes...
With memories of brewing my own holsters in days gone by my mind drifts to the hours spent reading "Blue Steel & Gunleather": A Practical Guide to Holsters. By John Bianchi.

 

[thorborg]

I've made a ton of things most I never took pictures of but I just started playing around with leather sixty years ago and while many aren't real pretty, many were very functional for me. Most things bought (leather or canvas) just never satisfied me so gave up and started making my own stuff. Basically, I just have fun Leather is getting fairly expensive now Hopefullh Oregon Leather will open up again soon. Long gone are the days when tanneries were everywhere, Its been a couple decades now since the last one I dealt with in Sherwood closed.

 

[Diamondback]

Start with getting either the Realeather kit from Hobby Lobby or one from Tandy Leather. Make one by-the-book first before you start getting all fancy and "artistic" and "experimental.

Going through the same thing myself. (And CG, keep your likes to yourself here, I don't want 'em.)

 

[1911Fanatic]

I was just on the Tandy website. They have some in expensive tool sets. Which is better for holster? Belly cut? Side cut? They don't tell how many oz the cut is. I use 7.5 or 8oz.

 

[JustShoot]

I was just on the Tandy website. They have some in expensive tool sets. Which is better for holster? Belly cut? Side cut? They don't tell how many oz the cut is. I use 7.5 or 8oz.

LEATHERWORKER.NET/FORUM/

Is good place to ask questions. as Leather , types, weights, forming, cutting, stitching, tools, dying, stamping .. etc. is a pretty in depth slice of knowledge .
.

 

[Snoopy23]

I've been using 7-9 oz leather (usually double shoulder veg tan) and lining with 2-3 oz or 3-4 oz suede. Just use contact cement between the two and stitch the edges together. Suede or any liner is good to use to hide the threads for the belt loop stiching.

 

[Snoopy23]

I still don't think you need anything fancy. I use a razor blade to cut most leather...getting an edge beveler and slicking the sides of the leather goes a long ways

 

[Colt Carbine]

Following.......

 

[Colt Carbine]

These books have complete instructions for cutting out leather with patterns and templates.

 

[Colt Carbine]

Hole punch instead of using a drill or knife


Hole pouches, knives and other various tools

 

[Colt Carbine]

Example of double loop stitching

 

[Greg S]

Hmmm, where to start ...
10 years ago when I lived in Alaska I started tinkering with leather. The first project was to make a chest rig for a FA 475LB.

Figured I had a lot of time on my hands being it was winter time and work was really slow and it was about cold outside. I fired the truck up and headed down to the leather store and started the learning process.


First Holster

The things that will make a project as above look ho-made and finished are cut and finished leather edges and straight and even stitching.

Tools, if you go into a Tandy store, the Harbor Freight of leather, they have a bazillion of tools. My first tote of leather working tools was in my truck when it was stolen so, I've been slowly buying tools as I need them. The good thing is, you don't really need a lot of tools, but quality tools.

Must haves:
Cutting mat
Sharp knife
Diamond hone
Leather strop board w/green rouge
Combo hole punch tips & driver Hammer
#0 & #3 edge beveler
Sand paper (80, 120, 220, 320, 4&600.
Saddle soap
Chop Stick or edge slicker
5mm pricking irons
Stitching awl
Dividers
Med needles
1.0 mm tiger thread
Barge cement
Stitching horse or clam
Leather dye
Leather finish




Start of current project


Previous projects

 

[Greg S]

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[Greg S]

For leather to start, 8-9 oz shoulder or a double shoulder you can get a 2x thick belt and a holster or two.

 

[Greg S]

Herecs a few more.

 

[SSloan]

Dremels/Foredom much nicer (dog nails, great excuse for many). Local supplier for hides, (had a lot of luck with a local glove/couch leather processer that exchanges hides for gloves) Not a brag, but about a 40yr hobby. Surprising what you can do with just the basics, and you can turn out some great stuff.
As with anything, rabbit holes just appear, like a really, really nice, collection of 1920's colored samples. LOL
I'm sure many will assist, if I can help, offer is always on the table. If you need specialty tools/techniques or an opinion, I can probably spare a few.
I sure you will enjoy it.