AB holster = Raiders perfection!

Discuss technique for prolonging the life of your gear or giving it that aged look

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Chris_King
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AB holster = Raiders perfection!

Post by Chris_King »

Hi everyone,

I received my AB holster from Marc and Kim recently. I've collected Indy gear for many years and have owned several Raiders holsters. However, when I opened the package I knew that this was "the one". Seriously, the colour, detailing on the flap and strap all look perfect to me. The subtle imprint of the gun which has been formed in the leather is a really nice touch and looks great! For me, the search is over - now that I have this I don't feel the need to look any further because this truly does appear screen accurate to me. Marc and Kim's service and craftmanship have been exceptional and I would recommend them to anyone. Big thanks to agent5 too - he provided invaluable help during the research stage from what Marc tells me. Here's a few pics!

Image

Image

Mods - I'd like an explanation about why my previous thread was deleted yesterday. Also, when a thread is deleted I would have thought it would be common courtesy to send a PM to the topic starter to explain the reasons why? I came online this morning - looking for my threads and they were gone, but there was no PM informing me of the resasons.

Chris
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VP
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Post by VP »

I'm not a mod and don't know anything about your thread, but I noticed that your photos are a tad bigger than is allowed in the rules. Perhaps that has something to do with it?.

Awesome looking holster, I'll definitely get one after I get a gunbelt. Wasn't AB planning to make that gear item too? :-k
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IndianaLV
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Post by IndianaLV »

That thing looks gorgeous, Chris!
I can't wait any longer, mine should arrive next week... I think it'll be fun to distress it. :lol:
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Post by Chris_King »

Thanks VP. I've re-sized my photos to 640 x 480 pixels. Hopefully the mods won't delete this thread now! I still think it ***** that the threads were just deleted without any warning.

I believe that AB are thinking about making some gunbelts and straps for the bag. I'm sure Marc will post a thread about those when / if they happen.

Chris
VP wrote:I'm not a mod and don't know anything about your thread, but I noticed that your photos are a tad bigger than is allowed in the rules. Perhaps that has something to do with it?.

Awesome looking holster, I'll definitely get one after I get a gunbelt. Wasn't AB planning to make that gear item too? :-k
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Post by IndianaChris711 »

According to an e-mail I got from Marc they are trying to find the original source for the gunbelt. That is a nice holster, I just ordered mine from Marc today and he said he would send it out as soon as he gets some more. :D

IndianaChris
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Post by Shtick »

Question regarding your gunbelt setup. I notice you have the belt looped through the metal keeper, but over the leather one. Is that the Screen Accurate way of doing it? I have been unable to tell.

Awesome setup, by the way. Very nice display.
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Post by Chewie Louie »

The pics convinced me. I placed my order for a AB holster and an Indy shirt last week. The wait begins.
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Post by agent5 »

Here's a newer shot of my AB perfection.
Image
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Post by K on the run »

i just saw this :oops: thanks Chris, I'm realy glad to hear that you like the holster. We are working on a gunbelt and I'll post pics as soon as I have a finished prototype. You're right about agent5's help, without him this would still have been in the works. :notworthy: agent5 :notworthy:
again, it means the world to me to hear that people enjoy my work.
best regards,
Kim
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Post by Wraith1031 »

I went to the AB website but I didn't see anything other than the hats offered for sale. Am I looking in the wrong place? Do I need to contact them directly by pm or email? Just wondering about finding out some more info such as pricing etc. on the holster. :)
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Post by K on the run »

Pm Marc :)
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Post by Marc »

Here's a professionally made teaser picture for the AB Leather section of the upcomming new homepage :D

Image

I couldn't be happier with the color that Kim chose!

Regards,

Marc
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Post by Chewie Louie »

Oh gee thanks for posting that picture Marc. You've just made my wait all the more difficult. Get to work Kim! :D
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Post by Satipo »

Lovely holsters! But is that bulge SA or an AB innovation? Can you order them distressed without the bulge?
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Post by K on the run »

yes it is SA and you can get it without the bulge and you can get it without any distressing at all. In other words we aim to please :)
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Post by norton »

Chris, how do you shoot without any hands? Or are your jacket sleeves way too long?
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Post by K on the run »

norton wrote:Chris, how do you shoot without any hands? Or are your jacket sleeves way too long?
His hands are holding the camera :roll: thats obvious.

:wink: K
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Post by Chewie Louie »

I just got my non-distressed AB holster in the mail. Boy is it sweet. Put together very nice and it smells great. I will post pics very soon.
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Post by K on the run »

Thanks Chewie :D

-K
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Post by Chewie Louie »

Ta Da! Here are some pics of my AB holster. What a beauty. I opted to oder it non-distressed and see what happens naturally.

Front.
Image

Back.
Image

Bottom.
Image

Macro zoom on stamped logo.
Image

The verdict: This will be the one and only Indy holster I ever buy. 'Nuff said. Bravo K.
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Post by TheMechanic »

That's a thing of beauty. I've owned several handmade holsters over the years and this one's really well done.

What do they cost and how do I go about getting one?

Thanks for sharing.

-Jared
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Post by Chewie Louie »

Email Marc (above) directly.
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Post by TheMechanic »

Yes, I see that they are $200.00. Pretty steep even for a custom made holster. Fantastic looking though.
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Post by serrecuir »

I just received my pre-distressed AB holster in the mail over the weekend. Oh boy, it's a work of art! Here are a few pics, along with my Todd's Deluxe and Keppler holsters, for comparison. IMO, the color of the AB is spot on! The quality is superior to any other holster I've owned. Great job, Marc and Kim!! :clap:


Image

Image


FYI, the AB and Todd holsters above fit the 4" S&W, but this Keppler holster fits my 5 1/2" S&W.

-Craig
Last edited by serrecuir on Wed Jul 16, 2008 1:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
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K on the run
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Post by K on the run »

Nice comparison pic Craig. I'm happy that that you like it.
The distressing will disappear more or less if you give it Pecard. So be careful. How ever the Pecard treatment in combination with sun vill darken it. You can always "re-distress" it with some very fine sandpaper, grain 300 or more. If you use a lower grain it will make a lot of parallel lines in the leather. Primarily sand on the edges and the drum area.

Sorry about the late response but I'm having problems with my internet supplier.

Best regards,
K
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serrecuir
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Post by serrecuir »

Kim,

Thanks for the conditioning tips. I love it just as it is right now!! Beautiful craftsmanship, superior quality leather, and outstanding attention to detail - all in all, a fantastic holster!!

-Craig
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Post by K on the run »

Thanks Craig, I really appreciate it.
-K
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moviematt1989
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Post by moviematt1989 »

Question,

How does the color change so drastically from this pinkish red :

<img src=http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee43 ... _00095.jpg>

To this rich brown?

<img src=http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee43 ... _00095.jpg>

It can't just be the distressing can it?, is it the picture?

Thanks a Ton!,

Matt
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Post by K on the run »

Hi Matt,
It's the same pic you show twice.

Cheers
K
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moviematt1989
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Post by moviematt1989 »

Oops!

Sorry about that,

The other pic was supposed to be Agent 5's :

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2030/231 ... 6a27d4.jpg

Yeah, I'm just curious how the colors are changing so drastically? because I love 5's, but don't neccesarily love the price and I feel like I could do the distressing on my own...
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Post by K on the run »

Over all on color in pics.
You can never trust the color in pictures, the camera, the lighting, the white point setting etc. will all have drastic influence on the picture.
Then there's the monitor you watch the image on and the operating system, Windows uses a gamma value of 2.2 and Apple uses 1.8
The higher the gamma the darker the image.

But besides that heres a walk through of the color change when I distress.
The color change happens when you gently sand the leather and apply Pecard. I do this several times when I distress a holster. The water treatment also has an effect on the color. And finally I have made a leather dye that mimics aging which I airbrush on at different parts of the holster.

The correct order of distressing is:
Soak the holster in luke warm water, put gun in and massage the subtle markings of the drum. remove gun and let dry.

Sand the exposed areas with very fine sandpaper minimum grain 350.

Airbrush leather dye (dirt brown but not to heavy in pigment) to the less exposed areas.

Apply Pecard but be advised: it will make the holster look new if you over do it.

Sand once more to accent the exposed areas.

The last two (Pecard and sanding) can be done a couple of times until you are satisfied with the result.

Best regards,
K[/u]
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moviematt1989
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Post by moviematt1989 »

Thanks Kim,

Thats what I was looking for. You use Airbrushing. Very Good.

Best,

Matt
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Re: AB holster = Raiders perfection!

Post by Cajunkraut »

Bumping this thread for the useful distressing tips alone. :TOH:
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