New holster

playtheblues · August 18, 2008, 04:01 PM

Got my new Mexican single loop holster for my '51 today. I was apprehensive for $34 including shipping, but I must say the leather is heavy and of good quality. It suits my needs just fine. Also included a pic of a 33 pound flathead catfish I caught Friday.
Bill in SC

Hawg · August 18, 2008, 05:07 PM

Don't oil it. The leather, not the fish. You can oil the fish all you want.

Nice cat by the way.

playtheblues · August 18, 2008, 05:22 PM

What should I apply to it to keep it from drying out, and to add pliability? (holster, not fish) :-) Saddle soap?
BB in SC

armedandsafe · August 18, 2008, 05:33 PM

Saddle soap will dry it even more.

It is perfectly proper to oil leather. The problem comes with our modern concept that "more is better." Oil sparingly and then wipe even that off. If you talk to anybody who works with tack as a profession, you will get told how to do it properly. You are not giving the holster a bath.

I have used neat's foot oil and I have used the more modern oil waxes. Both work fine. When I was growing up I was exposed to some old timer drovers and cowboys. They carried neat's foot oil with them so they could clean their tack ehen necessary. Most of them carried a 2 ounce bottle and refilled it once a year.

While in high school I was around leathersmiths at Hamely's Saddle and Tack Works. They all told me the same thing. Touch your finger to the oil and spread it out with the heel of your hand. A drop should do a holster. Two drops will do a pair of boots. Bridles and reins need so little that it hardly counts. Do your saddle skirts and your hands will then be oily enough to do your bridle and reins.

Pops

long rider · August 18, 2008, 05:36 PM

Try Dr jacksons Legendary Leather care.
ITS the bees knees for Leather i have used it on all
of my Leather goods, it keeps the Leather really soft
and supple, keeps the Leather from cracking.

Try some you will like it.

OH by the way you can get it from tandys.

Hawg · August 18, 2008, 05:46 PM

You don't want soft and supple on a holster, you want hard and stiff. Over oil it and it will get soft and the lips will fold in.

long rider · August 18, 2008, 05:55 PM

Maybe i should have made it more clear to you
guys, when i mean soft and supple i mean on the
belt and a tad on the holster.

playtheblues · August 18, 2008, 06:58 PM

Yeah I understand the stiff part for the holster, but I want it supple enough so it won't crack in the folds. I have neatsfoot oil, and linseed oil that I used to oil my baseball gloves with.
BB in SC

Hawg · August 18, 2008, 07:17 PM

Just don't overdo it. I've had Oklahoma Leather before. It's decent leather for the money but it don't take much to mess it up.
This rig was Oklahoma and it got so soft it took both hands to reholster.

okiefarmer · August 18, 2008, 07:25 PM

playtheblues,

Mind telling me from where ya ordered that purty piece? I like that, and gotta have one.

Thanks,
Okie out

playtheblues · August 18, 2008, 08:06 PM

Here is the link. The guy has GREAT communication, fast shipping, and a WIDE variety of stuff. He will take a few bucks less than the "buy it now" price. Use the "make offer" feature. He's in Mesa Arizona.
http://cgi.ebay.com/MEXICAN-SINGLE-L...742.m153.l1262
Bill in SC
BTW: The holster in the link is the design I got, but not the size. I got mine for a 4 3/4 inch barrel.

playtheblues · August 18, 2008, 08:12 PM

I hear ya, Hawg. I do a little leather work, and now that I have the pattern, I can maintain any problems. (or make another if need be) It's a very simple design to duplicate. I'm thinking about adding a "running stitch" of leather lace around the sewed area. Once again, it is medium heavy leather. I'll just LIGHTLY oil some areas and oil the folds good to keep them from cracking. FOR THE MONEY, these holsters are fine, and will probably last a LONG time with proper maintenance. That's why I asked the questions here. Wanted to hear what you guys do to maintain your leather.
Bill in SC
That is a GREAT lookin' rig, Hawg!

Hawg · August 18, 2008, 08:20 PM

Looks ain't everything. It got soft and I sold it. You could have gotten a double loop from Cabela's cheaper.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...050&hasJS=true

playtheblues · August 18, 2008, 08:36 PM

Hmmm, I searched Cabelas, and all the holsters I saw were 60 or 70 bucks. Missed that one. It looks ok too. Still with shipping, it would have exceeded the $32 I paid for this one. I do appreciate the link for further reference.
Bill in SC

long rider · August 18, 2008, 08:51 PM

Playtheblues, this holster maker you talk about, are
you sure he lives in mesa? i live in mesa i have not
seen a holster maker in the valley? that has a store,
are you sure hes not in sedona?

Hawg · August 18, 2008, 08:53 PM

He's not a maker, he's a seller. The holster he posted is made by Oklahoma Leather. You can read the makers stamp on the loop.

**4V50 Gary** · August 18, 2008, 09:04 PM

Mighty nice holster for a great price. Nice catfish too.

August 18, 2008, 05:33 PM	#4
armedandsafe Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: Moses Lake WA Posts: 1,001	Saddle soap will dry it even more. It is perfectly proper to oil leather. The problem comes with our modern concept that "more is better." Oil sparingly and then wipe even that off. If you talk to anybody who works with tack as a profession, you will get told how to do it properly. You are not giving the holster a bath. I have used neat's foot oil and I have used the more modern oil waxes. Both work fine. When I was growing up I was exposed to some old timer drovers and cowboys. They carried neat's foot oil with them so they could clean their tack ehen necessary. Most of them carried a 2 ounce bottle and refilled it once a year. While in high school I was around leathersmiths at Hamely's Saddle and Tack Works. They all told me the same thing. Touch your finger to the oil and spread it out with the heel of your hand. A drop should do a holster. Two drops will do a pair of boots. Bridles and reins need so little that it hardly counts. Do your saddle skirts and your hands will then be oily enough to do your bridle and reins. Pops __________________ Armed and Safe: Not just a theory If it time to bury them, it is time to dig them up. Remember, "Behind every blade of grass."

August 18, 2008, 05:36 PM	#5
long rider Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2008 Posts: 669	Try Dr jacksons Legendary Leather care. ITS the bees knees for Leather i have used it on all of my Leather goods, it keeps the Leather really soft and supple, keeps the Leather from cracking. Try some you will like it. OH by the way you can get it from tandys. __________________ Sod Buster Tried To Pull On Willson.

August 18, 2008, 05:55 PM	#7
long rider Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2008 Posts: 669	Maybe i should have made it more clear to you guys, when i mean soft and supple i mean on the belt and a tad on the holster. __________________ Sod Buster Tried To Pull On Willson.

August 18, 2008, 08:51 PM	#15
long rider Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2008 Posts: 669	Playtheblues, this holster maker you talk about, are you sure he lives in mesa? i live in mesa i have not seen a holster maker in the valley? that has a store, are you sure hes not in sedona? __________________ Sod Buster Tried To Pull On Willson.

August 18, 2008, 09:04 PM	#17
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	Mighty nice holster for a great price. Nice catfish too. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

August 18, 2008, 05:07 PM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Don't oil it. The leather, not the fish. You can oil the fish all you want. Nice cat by the way.

August 18, 2008, 05:22 PM	#3
playtheblues Member Join Date: June 2, 2008 Posts: 84	What should I apply to it to keep it from drying out, and to add pliability? (holster, not fish) :-) Saddle soap? BB in SC

August 18, 2008, 05:46 PM	#6
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	You don't want soft and supple on a holster, you want hard and stiff. Over oil it and it will get soft and the lips will fold in.

August 18, 2008, 06:58 PM	#8
playtheblues Member Join Date: June 2, 2008 Posts: 84	Yeah I understand the stiff part for the holster, but I want it supple enough so it won't crack in the folds. I have neatsfoot oil, and linseed oil that I used to oil my baseball gloves with. BB in SC

August 18, 2008, 07:17 PM	#9
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Just don't overdo it. I've had Oklahoma Leather before. It's decent leather for the money but it don't take much to mess it up. This rig was Oklahoma and it got so soft it took both hands to reholster.

August 18, 2008, 07:25 PM	#10
okiefarmer Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 381	playtheblues, Mind telling me from where ya ordered that purty piece? I like that, and gotta have one. Thanks, Okie out

August 18, 2008, 08:06 PM	#11
playtheblues Member Join Date: June 2, 2008 Posts: 84	Here is the link. The guy has GREAT communication, fast shipping, and a WIDE variety of stuff. He will take a few bucks less than the "buy it now" price. Use the "make offer" feature. He's in Mesa Arizona. http://cgi.ebay.com/MEXICAN-SINGLE-L...742.m153.l1262 Bill in SC BTW: The holster in the link is the design I got, but not the size. I got mine for a 4 3/4 inch barrel.

August 18, 2008, 08:12 PM	#12
playtheblues Member Join Date: June 2, 2008 Posts: 84	I hear ya, Hawg. I do a little leather work, and now that I have the pattern, I can maintain any problems. (or make another if need be) It's a very simple design to duplicate. I'm thinking about adding a "running stitch" of leather lace around the sewed area. Once again, it is medium heavy leather. I'll just LIGHTLY oil some areas and oil the folds good to keep them from cracking. FOR THE MONEY, these holsters are fine, and will probably last a LONG time with proper maintenance. That's why I asked the questions here. Wanted to hear what you guys do to maintain your leather. Bill in SC That is a GREAT lookin' rig, Hawg!

August 18, 2008, 08:20 PM	#13
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Looks ain't everything. It got soft and I sold it. You could have gotten a double loop from Cabela's cheaper. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...050&hasJS=true

August 18, 2008, 08:36 PM	#14
playtheblues Member Join Date: June 2, 2008 Posts: 84	Hmmm, I searched Cabelas, and all the holsters I saw were 60 or 70 bucks. Missed that one. It looks ok too. Still with shipping, it would have exceeded the $32 I paid for this one. I do appreciate the link for further reference. Bill in SC

August 18, 2008, 08:53 PM	#16
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	He's not a maker, he's a seller. The holster he posted is made by Oklahoma Leather. You can read the makers stamp on the loop.