I just made myself a holster.

K on the run · Post by **K on the run** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 6:02 pm

Yesterday I was shopping for leather string for a "non slip" whip holder I have to make for a customer. On the way out my eyes fell on a perfect piece of leather and in an inspired moment I decided to buy the stuff needed to hand stitch a holster. I bought a sewing awl, a locking pin and a space marker.
http://www.bootrepair.com/sewingawl.htm
http://www.csosborne.com/no485.htm

When I got home I made a pattern using "my own" pattern (see link below)
After a few minor adjustments to the pattern it was ready to be traced on to the leather. I also traced the placements of the strap and belt loop.
I carefully cut the pieces using a scalpel and trimmed the edges. Then I marked the sewing holes with the space marker. It's easier to sew when the holes is punctured in advance so I started with the locking strap made the holes and stitched the two pieces together. Then the belt loop was stitched on and finely the holster it self was stitched. The most difficult part was the pluck at the bottom. I used a Revolving Punch (smallest tube) to make the holes needed in the pluck before stitching it in. This way I got a little more work space.
http://www.csosborne.com/NO223.HTM

The revised pattern is available for download here
viewtopic.php?t=16634&highlight=

I'm pretty pleased with the result, considering it's my first attempt at sewing leather.

Best regards,
Kim

Indiana Kev · Post by **Indiana Kev** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 6:50 pm

That looks great! I think you may get a few request for one of those!

Indiana Max · Post by **Indiana Max** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 7:09 pm

I made my first Holster in a similar way and in the same style, well done, it looks great

IndyParise · Post by **IndyParise** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 7:20 pm

*whistles* that is a beauty. Nice job on that.

JEEP · Post by **JEEP** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:45 am

Excellent work K

:tup:

One piece of advice: buy a hard piece of dark brown edge-wax and a "rubbing tool" and give the edges a good coat - it will finish the holster of perfectly.

/Jakob

VP · Post by VP » Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:40 am

The closure strap looks a bit long, I would shorten it if I were you. Nice work.

K on the run · Post by **K on the run** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:57 pm

Thanks guys. I forgot to tell just how long time it took to make it, just about 4 hours incl. the pattern adjustment.

Your right JEEP, some edge wax will finish the job. I just forgot it when I was shopping.

Kev, I'll leave the leather business to the professionals but I'll definitely make some more leather goods just for fun.

VP, I'm sure that the strap will look just right with a N-frame S&W instead of my much smaller N-frame

Thanks again guys
-Kim

Bufflehead Jones · Post by **Bufflehead Jones** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:52 pm

That looks great, K.

K on the run · Post by **K on the run** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:35 pm

Thanks Buff.

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:44 pm

nice choice of leather for sure k. great work

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:04 pm

Excellent work as always Kim!!!

Hat's off (and you know how much THAT means for me),

Marc

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 8:51 pm

Wow, Kim, that looks great!!!

I guess that bit of tweaking I helped you with worked out after all!

K on the run · Post by **K on the run** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:16 am

Thanks Mark, now get that hat back on before you catch a cold

J_Weaver I can not thank you enough, with out you help the size would be in the woods. THANKS MAN

and sorry for not mentioning it before, it slipped my mind in all the excitement

Best regards,
Kim

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:48 pm

Kim, its great to see it worked out!

I think when I get out of school for the summer and if I can find some quality leather, I'm gonna try my hand at making a holster.

NRay1 · Post by **NRay1** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 6:19 pm

Incredible job, K, the holster has a great look. I especially like your choice of leather, it seems to have a nice color and texture.

K on the run · Post by **K on the run** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 4:59 am

Thanks all.
The leather is a little softer than the kind usually used for holsters. It's 3 mm thick and has a very smooth backside. It will probably be a bit to soft for a real gun but it works well with the Tanaka airsoft gun.