I couldn't find an ROA holster that I liked..

BConklin · January 17, 2011, 11:39 PM

so I decided to make one..

I've never done any leatherworking before but I figured it might be something I'd enjoy...I was right!

I found there's a Tandy store not too far from me so I went up there, bought some leather and some tools et voila!

a hand-made-from-scratch, calfskin lined, custom fitted field holster for my favorite gun!

The outer layer is 8 ounce oak tanned cowhide, the inside is 2 ounce calf and the holster is hand stitched throughout. From tracing and modifying a template on manila folders to burnishing the edges on the finished holster represents a whole bunch of hours of work but I thoroughly enjoyed the process.

Though there are a few mistakes I'm quite happy with the outcome... especially since it's my first attempt. It's not bad looking at all. It's quite rigid and fits the gun perfectly and I think it'll do the job nicely.

I went a little overboard buying leather so I plan to keep busy making several more holsters this winter. Come spring, maybe I'll have a custom holster for every pistol I own.

Here's some pics.

Hardcase · January 17, 2011, 11:51 PM

Give yourself a hearty pat on the back because that is a fine job!

denster · January 18, 2011, 12:24 AM

For a first holster that is phenominal. I make holsters as a retirement business and I am impressed.

Roaddog · January 18, 2011, 07:38 AM

Ya did a very nice job. I would of never known that was your first if you wouldn't of said so. Don't stop now.

napp · January 18, 2011, 10:55 AM

Nice work. I especially like the color you chose. The contrast between the grips, the stainless pistol, and the holster makes for a perfect combination.

Jbar4Ranch · January 18, 2011, 11:49 AM

That's a first attempt? Good God, man, that is incredible! The only mistake I see is it was a little wide at the top, but your long backstitch to make it work actually looks like an intentional decorative touch. I know people who have been doing this for forty years, myself included, who certainly couldn't do any better. Congratulations!

aarondhgraham · January 18, 2011, 11:55 AM

Especially for your first holster ever.

Aarond

BConklin · January 18, 2011, 12:27 PM

Thanks Folks!

JBar - that's a good example of a small mistake at the beginning carrying all the way to the end. In this case, apparently I didn't trace the gun outline carefully enough.

OTOH - even with the excess width AND a piece of 10 ounce leather placed in between the front and back there as a filler, there's just enough room for the trigger guard. It pushed the holster apart so much the glue on the filler gave out on the inside edge. The long back stitch was added to hold the filler in place better - and to add strength to the holster at a stress point

Next time - more accuracy in tracing the outline - and more filler at the trigger guard?

madcratebuilder · January 18, 2011, 12:59 PM

WOW, just WOW, your first one, WOW.

Jimmy10mm · January 18, 2011, 01:06 PM

If you had posted that you had bought a professionally made custom holster I would have believed it without question from looking at the photos. A really fine job regardless of your "mistake". No one would know that if you hadn't told us.

swcr · January 18, 2011, 01:09 PM

Great job. I wish my first holster had looked anywhere near that good.

BConklin · January 19, 2011, 11:05 PM

showed it over on a leatherworker's forum and they wanted to see the edge of the main seam.

So I took these pics...

They suggested the holster needed edge burnishing.

All sorts of different methods are recommended there - but I used files, sandpaper, spit, beeswax, a dremel tool with a sanding drum and a felt wheel, an old piece of turned ivory and plenty of elbow grease.

After that the whole holster was lightly sprayed with a sealer (Mop & Glow and water) then lightly waxed with Kiwi neutral and buffed with flannel..

and here's the finished product...

bedbugbilly · January 19, 2011, 11:28 PM

WOW!!! You did a fantastic job on the holster . . . and you should be very, VERY proud of your final result. She's a nice one! I make holsters and accouterments and I'll tell you, if that is your first holster, you did some excellent craftsmanship on it!

If you haven't already run across it - hit the link below and it will take you to the leatherworking forum over at cascity - lots of good information there.

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/ind...oard,57.0.html

Now that you've made your first one - I can tell you that it is "habit forming" - just like shooting SA. Once you make a holster for everyone of your shootin' irons . . you'll make another holster and then have to buy another gun to fit it . . . and it just snowballs from there!

Thanks for sharing your story and photos - good luck with the leatherwork - am looking forward to seeing other photos of your work!!!

jimbob86 · January 19, 2011, 11:29 PM

Very Nice, Very Nice!

BConklin · January 20, 2011, 09:33 AM

Thanks guys - it did turn out much better than I expected.

I had a notion I was going to like leatherworking so I bought a pile of leather even before I got going on this one. I have plenty leftover to keep me busy and I already have some cool ideas I want to try on my next project.

Fingers McGee · January 20, 2011, 12:14 PM

Beautiful work there BConklin. You should be very proud of the holster.

FM

Dave Cole · January 20, 2011, 10:46 PM

I would have to agree with all the others.I am a holster maker and that is an excellant job even for a seasoned vet.Glad you cleaned up the edge,as it makes a world of difference.Dave

Bill Akins · January 20, 2011, 10:56 PM

Beautiful job! You have some nice leather making skills. I would never have guessed that was homemade. It looks factory made. Probably is better since you made it for yourself and took pains with it.

BConklin · January 21, 2011, 10:25 AM

Thanks again folks!

I was up till 1 this morning laying out the template for my next project - another hunter-style holster for a bull barrel Ruger Mark II

January 17, 2011, 11:39 PM	#1
BConklin Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2010 Posts: 136	I couldn't find an ROA holster that I liked.. so I decided to make one.. I've never done any leatherworking before but I figured it might be something I'd enjoy...I was right! I found there's a Tandy store not too far from me so I went up there, bought some leather and some tools et voila! a hand-made-from-scratch, calfskin lined, custom fitted field holster for my favorite gun! The outer layer is 8 ounce oak tanned cowhide, the inside is 2 ounce calf and the holster is hand stitched throughout. From tracing and modifying a template on manila folders to burnishing the edges on the finished holster represents a whole bunch of hours of work but I thoroughly enjoyed the process. Though there are a few mistakes I'm quite happy with the outcome... especially since it's my first attempt. It's not bad looking at all. It's quite rigid and fits the gun perfectly and I think it'll do the job nicely. I went a little overboard buying leather so I plan to keep busy making several more holsters this winter. Come spring, maybe I'll have a custom holster for every pistol I own. Here's some pics.

January 17, 2011, 11:51 PM	#2
Hardcase Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Location: Sunny Southern Idaho Posts: 1,909	Give yourself a hearty pat on the back because that is a fine job! __________________ Well we don't rent pigs and I figure it's better to say it right out front because a man that does like to rent pigs is... he's hard to stop - Gus McCrae

January 18, 2011, 10:55 AM	#5
napp Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 152	Nice work. I especially like the color you chose. The contrast between the grips, the stainless pistol, and the holster makes for a perfect combination. __________________ napp

January 18, 2011, 11:49 AM	#6
Jbar4Ranch Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Near Helena, Montana Posts: 1,719	That's a first attempt? Good God, man, that is incredible! The only mistake I see is it was a little wide at the top, but your long backstitch to make it work actually looks like an intentional decorative touch. I know people who have been doing this for forty years, myself included, who certainly couldn't do any better. Congratulations! __________________ Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets replaced... SASS 47015

January 18, 2011, 11:55 AM	#7
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Nice job,,, Very nice indeed,,,,, Especially for your first holster ever. Aarond __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

January 18, 2011, 12:24 AM	#3
denster Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 581	For a first holster that is phenominal. I make holsters as a retirement business and I am impressed.

January 18, 2011, 07:38 AM	#4
Roaddog Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2010 Location: East central Minnesota Posts: 202	Ya did a very nice job. I would of never known that was your first if you wouldn't of said so. Don't stop now.

January 18, 2011, 12:27 PM	#8
BConklin Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2010 Posts: 136	Thanks Folks! JBar - that's a good example of a small mistake at the beginning carrying all the way to the end. In this case, apparently I didn't trace the gun outline carefully enough. OTOH - even with the excess width AND a piece of 10 ounce leather placed in between the front and back there as a filler, there's just enough room for the trigger guard. It pushed the holster apart so much the glue on the filler gave out on the inside edge. The long back stitch was added to hold the filler in place better - and to add strength to the holster at a stress point Next time - more accuracy in tracing the outline - and more filler at the trigger guard?

January 18, 2011, 12:59 PM	#9
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,923	WOW, just WOW, your first one, WOW.

January 18, 2011, 01:09 PM	#11
swcr Member Join Date: December 31, 2009 Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA Posts: 64	Great job. I wish my first holster had looked anywhere near that good.

January 19, 2011, 11:05 PM	#12
BConklin Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2010 Posts: 136	showed it over on a leatherworker's forum and they wanted to see the edge of the main seam. So I took these pics... They suggested the holster needed edge burnishing. All sorts of different methods are recommended there - but I used files, sandpaper, spit, beeswax, a dremel tool with a sanding drum and a felt wheel, an old piece of turned ivory and plenty of elbow grease. After that the whole holster was lightly sprayed with a sealer (Mop & Glow and water) then lightly waxed with Kiwi neutral and buffed with flannel.. and here's the finished product...

January 19, 2011, 11:28 PM	#13
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	WOW!!! You did a fantastic job on the holster . . . and you should be very, VERY proud of your final result. She's a nice one! I make holsters and accouterments and I'll tell you, if that is your first holster, you did some excellent craftsmanship on it! If you haven't already run across it - hit the link below and it will take you to the leatherworking forum over at cascity - lots of good information there. http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/ind...oard,57.0.html Now that you've made your first one - I can tell you that it is "habit forming" - just like shooting SA. Once you make a holster for everyone of your shootin' irons . . you'll make another holster and then have to buy another gun to fit it . . . and it just snowballs from there! Thanks for sharing your story and photos - good luck with the leatherwork - am looking forward to seeing other photos of your work!!! __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

January 19, 2011, 11:29 PM	#14
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	Very Nice, Very Nice!

January 20, 2011, 09:33 AM	#15
BConklin Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2010 Posts: 136	Thanks guys - it did turn out much better than I expected. I had a notion I was going to like leatherworking so I bought a pile of leather even before I got going on this one. I have plenty leftover to keep me busy and I already have some cool ideas I want to try on my next project.

January 20, 2011, 12:14 PM	#16
Fingers McGee Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2008 Location: High & Dry in Missouri Ozarks Posts: 2,113	Beautiful work there BConklin. You should be very proud of the holster. FM __________________ Fingers (Show Me MO smoke) McGee - AKA Man of Many Colts - Alter ego of Diabolical Ken; SASS Regulator 28564-L-TG; Rangemaster and stage writer extraordinaire; Frontiersman, Pistoleer, NRA Endowment Life, NMLRA, SAF, CCRKBA, STORM 327, SV115; Charter member, Central Ozarks Western Shooters Cynic: A blackguard whose faulty vision see things as they are, not as they should be. Ambrose Bierce

January 20, 2011, 10:46 PM	#17
Dave Cole Member Join Date: August 16, 2009 Location: Satellite Beach,Fl. Posts: 55	I would have to agree with all the others.I am a holster maker and that is an excellant job even for a seasoned vet.Glad you cleaned up the edge,as it makes a world of difference.Dave __________________ http://dcknivesandleather.blademakers.com/

January 20, 2011, 10:56 PM	#18
Bill Akins Senior Member Join Date: August 28, 2007 Location: Hudson, Florida Posts: 1,135	Beautiful job! You have some nice leather making skills. I would never have guessed that was homemade. It looks factory made. Probably is better since you made it for yourself and took pains with it.

January 21, 2011, 10:25 AM	#19
BConklin Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2010 Posts: 136	Thanks again folks! I was up till 1 this morning laying out the template for my next project - another hunter-style holster for a bull barrel Ruger Mark II