Club Obi Wan

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

I just received the very first pictures of the first final AB-Dlx. gunholster. AB-Dlx??? - Have a look at it my friends! If this ain't deluxe, than what is?









A little background for you: I met our very own "K on the run" at the European summit at Peter's place and though we'd chit chatted via pm and e-mail in the past, meeting someone in person is always a pleasure. Especially in this case! Kim (that's his real name) showed me some of his holsters that he had made and I was DEEEPLY impressed. Granted, a few minor details had to be taken care of yet, but for a first impression this was quite impressive. We talked for some time and I became more and more impressed on his fanatism and how he had thought of things that I had never thought of. We aggreed to stay in touch and I contacted JEEP (who was supposed to be responsible for the AB Leather Co.) who was in the middle of a middle ages re-enactment and didn't really have the time for making holsters right now. I told him, that after talking to Kim, I'd honestly like to hand over the holster production to him for now and JEEP aggreed. So the way was clear and no-one got offended. After countless phonecalls with Kim, exchanging ideas and specs. he eventually came up with a prototype, that was VERY nice. He had chosen a leather from DOZENS of samples, that he sent to me for approvement. I didn't like it to be honest. I was too light in color and to stiff to be screen accurate and I told him so. Kim smiled and told me to give it two thick coats of Pecards, and to put the sample out in the rain for an hour or two. And then to call him back. I did as told (for once) and DANG does the man think like I do or what??? - Gear is not supposed to look dead on from the get go. It has to go through some long, natural distressing and THAT'S when is has to be perfect. And it was!!! - I then started complaining about the lil' brass thingy not being s.a., but Kim had taken care of that in the meanwhile. He also had modified his pattern over and over and when it was finally dead on, he had it laser cut(!!!) from a 1/8" plastic sheet. That way he can use an exacto knife to cut along the edge of the plastic template, ensuring every single holster will be a perfect replica. And HANDCRAFTED in every single step that is! He then sourced a vintage style off white heavy thread and came up with the idea of a small AB logo, to put on the back of each holster. I liked the idea. In fact I liked it so much, that I contacted my sweatband maker to hear if he could make a 20mm logo per Kim's instruction. Put me back with more than 100 Euro, but look at it!!!



So, thanks to Kim's excellent and enthusiastic worked, we can now present to you the AB-holser from Adventurebilt Leather Co. I'll calculate the final price within a few days, and then they're ready to order

Regards,

Marc

ack--- !!!!

Beautiful!!!!

I LOVE the embossed logo!!! I'd like that on a leather wristband kind of thing... MAN!!!!

lovely!!!
-r!

How would you like to find that under your Christmas Tree.

Thanks, I'll take two.

Very nice looking work, but as usual, judgement is reserved until they're in the hands of folks to review in first person.

In it's favor, everything K makes has been first rate to date, and I see no reason for him to have left that path. His quality and attention to details have been held up to scrutinity on many occasions, and he's passed with flying colors, so I'd say based on this past track record, we have another winner!

Regards! Michaelson

I think I missed the prototype ones by about 12 hours by not coming over on the friday of the summit. Darn.

Ok Kim... what's the damage... gets wallet out.

Marc and K,

AWESOME

I am SO Glad that I am on the list for one of these beauties.

Cheers,
G-MANN

Turned out FANTASTIC!

Another AB project, that couldn't have been accomplished without the priceless help from our very own.....:

Agent5

Thanks a buch buddy!

Regards,

Marc

That looks amazing. I want!

You have impressed me once again AB. The holster looks great!!! You are well on your way to being a "one stop shopping" for any and all Indy gear.

Thanks for the nod, Marc. I would like to think my help was minimal. You guys put it together and did a great job!

Michaelson wrote:Very nice looking work, but as usual, judgement is reserved until they're in the hands of folks to review in first person.

Regards! Michaelson

I think I may be either 1st or 2nd in line for one of these so I'll be happy to give a review.

Cheers,
G-MANN

I'd appreciate it!

Considering agent5 is a staff member of COW, I'm kind of surprised HE isn't doing an official review.

Regards! Michaelson

Marc, since I'm currently re-doing the holster page info, can I right click those photo's for the main page? I won't do it without your permission of course...

Michaelson wrote:I'd appreciate it!

Considering agent5 is a staff member of COW, I'm kind of surprised HE isn't doing an official review.

Regards! Michaelson

Perhaps he is. I'm not sure what his arrangement is with Marc. I'll be happy to leave that up to Agent5 if he is in line to receive one.

Cheers,
G-MANN

I'd very much like to read what you think as well. The more hands on reviews, the merrier!

Regards! Michaelson

I don't know a thing about the holster, but I do like the quality of that item. I have seen my share of high end knife holsters over the years, and I know great craftmanship when I see it. The accuracy I can't vouch for, but man this dude does great work!! I am impressed from the quality viewpoint. I don't mind seeing the staff of ra headpiece that we stole either. Marc, is this like the one you sent you know who???? Just curious. Fedora

Nope. Pretty much everything incl. the manufactor is different on this one.

Regards,

Marc

Is there already a link on the net where we can buy these items?

The holster looks awesome.The leather and seams look perfect. I will definitetly buy one.

Is there already a link on the net where we can buy these items?

Not yet Fisk. We plan to have it added to our main site: www.adventurebilt.com but I'll have to calculate the price incl. shipping yet.

Regards,

Marc

What price range are we talking about here? I realize that you haven't calculated the final price yet, but I'd like to know the vague area. Also any news on the shirt sizes or gun belts?

man that looks great TEAM AB! well done! i'm hoping that you'll have a belt/whip holder combo as well?

if you do, then i'll take both of them please!

cheers,


G

What price range are we talking about here? I realize that you haven't calculated the final price yet, but I'd like to know the vague area. Also any news on the shirt sizes or gun belts?

Just give me a couple of days, and I'll have the exact price. I don't wanna give a price and then not being able to keep it there. The shirts should arrive in ROUND ABOUT 2 weeks Regarding gun belts and bag straps: we're looking into it

Regards,

Marc

Nice! I'd love to see a pic of the barrel plug, if possible.

rhboyd wrote:I LOVE the embossed logo!!! I'd like that on a leather wristband kind of thing... MAN!!!!

no really!!! I'm serious!
-r!

Guys, it's official. I'm in love!

I never thought that one day I would be drooling over a gun holster, but it has happened!

Absolutely magnifient work, guys!

Whoops! I just noticed this is in general gear. It may get even more looks in the Guns & Holsters forum, I'll move it and leave a shadow in General Gear...

What is all the additional tooling on the strap based on? Is this based on photo studies, or are they artistic license?

I'm not familiar with that much border/edge tooling on a Raiders flap holster. For example, check (in another post) the NH holster. It has no border edging at all.

Just curious.

Regards! Michaelson

there is in fact a double border on the holster strap, or at least one shot which is very clearfrom one of the holsters they used. I think that, like the bag strap, they are sometimes so vague they're hard to pick up on. Noel's holster is a bit off in many ways and in many other ways very nice. If he could just adjust a few minor details he'd have a superb holster. I sold his to get a Keppler, which is darn nice.

I knew if you were involved it HAD to have SOME kind of provenance.

Very good!

Regard! Michaelson

Is this holster seriously useable for a legitimate holster, like the Keppler, or is it a costume piece only? Also, does the second button hole actually work and close? I have a Todd's basic which has two button holes, but the second hole doesn't reach the brass post, so it's cosmetic only.

Wow, just that Ra symbol alone makes me want to purchase it. Amazing! I look forward seeing what the price will be.

THAT'S what I'm saying!!! Wristband thingies!!!!

C'mon!!!!
-r!

Wow, looks very nice!

Is this holster seriously useable for a legitimate holster, like the Keppler, or is it a costume piece only? Also, does the second button hole actually work and close? I have a Todd's basic which has two button holes, but the second hole doesn't reach the brass post, so it's cosmetic only.

Ummm... It's an AB holster What do you THINK if it's useable or not

Not sure if the second hole reaches the brass thingy or not... If it did on the original, we'll make sure that ours will do the same.

Regards,

Marc

Ok, just got off the phone with DHL and got the prices for UN-INSURED shipping (if you want your package to be insured, I can do that, but DHL is charging an arm and a leg for that).

While I do not have to pay VAT taxes for shipping something to the U.S., alone the shipping (of an UN-INSURED package) is 25.90 Euro (round about 35.75$) so unfortunately I cannot offer a better price for you guys in the U.S. this time...

So incl. taxes, taxes and taxes again, shipping (did I mention that this would be un-insured) the final price is 99 Euro via Paypal. Though there's a tiny little thing that has to be changed yet, we're ready to take orders from today on and will proceed them as fast as possible.

Regards,

Marc

Marc wrote:unfortunately I cannot offer a better price for you guys in the U.S. this time...

What about us in Finland?

Not sure if the second hole reaches the brass thingy or not...

I love it when Marc talks 'technical'. It's called a strap post.

Regards! Michaelson

What about us in Finland?

...or you guys in Finnland

I love it when Marc talks 'technical'. It's called a strap post.

English not is my mother language, so I has tried to learn from reading in forums.

Anyway, it's enough to be the teamleader for the UK department of Europes leading system partner for quality tools

Regards,

Marc

payment sent so happy to have finally ordered my final piece of gear, and have it bear the name AB!

Long Live AB!

btw, gun holsters aren't considered "prop replicas" are they?

Regards,
Brian

payment sent

Thank you Brian!

btw, gun holsters aren't considered "prop replicas" are they?

No

Regards,

Marc

Thanks guys, I'm really glad that you like it.
The holster is the result of 3 generations of leather workers and Agent 5's observations.
Thanks Jason, I'm correcting the last details as we speak.
I will try to get a good shot of the barrel plug Monday, I just forgot it the first time.
Everything about these holsters is handmade, sewn by hand incl. the barrel plug which b.t.w. is a pain in the... barrel plug to do
Yes the holster can be used to carry a real gun.
The leather matches the Raiders holster in color and thickness. The new leather makes it stiff but if you choose to distress it the leather will become soft and floppy like the Raiders holster. Water and handling will do this quit fast.

Once again thanks all for the good reception you gave my work.
Thanks Steve and Marc for letting me join the Adventurebilt Co.
And thanks Marc for all the help.

Best regards,
Kim

Very nice looking holster. The embossed logo looks terrific.
Nice job
Canada

K, nice job. I had no idea this was in the works.

So with un-insured shipping that works out to $140 US?

That's a lot of cabbage! Nice holster though.

Will this holster hold the 1917 with an uncut barrel, or just the short version?

A wallet with the Staff of Ra emblem would be really nice.

Will this holster hold the 1917 with an uncut barrel, or just the short version?

Not sure about this. Kim would have to answer, but he's on a summit in Denmark right now...

A wallet with the Staff of Ra emblem would be really nice.

I really can't recall the scene in which we see Indy's wallet...

Regards,

Marc

Marc wrote:

Will this holster hold the 1917 with an uncut barrel, or just the short version?

Not sure about this. Kim would have to answer, but he's on a summit in Denmark right now...

A wallet with the Staff of Ra emblem would be really nice.

I really can't recall the scene in which we see Indy's wallet...

Regards,

Marc

I don't think we ever see him use a wallet. We however do (and when it comes to spending money on gear, we do this a lot). I think the comment re: an embossed wallet was just wishful thinking. It might be nice to have a nice indy wallet available. Bet there would be plenty of interest. Look at the COW coin and how well that went.
best
Canada