Tandys new kits

[Slowhand Bob]

Just wondering if anyone has had a chance to actually examine the new line of gunbelt and holster kits that Tandy is marketing?  They are actually a low mark-up margin compared MSRP for the kit.  Do they look as if they could go for the full kit price to interested shooters?  I would hate to sink a couple a hunnert bucks into something that would not sell.  One thing that really kills me is when I make an investment and then Tandy constantly runs sells that undercut their resellers!!!

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Slowhand,

I really like working with the originator of the kits ... so if I am going to buy a pattern, if at all possible I do and end run around the dealership and deal with the patternmaker directly ... not only do you get a more interested person (or even a human voice on the telephone), but I believe that the patternmaker gets just a little more out of the cost 'cause I eliminated the middleman ...

One such pattternmaker who has both made me holsters and supplies patterns for holsters (as well as cowboy cuffs , spur straps, etc)  and the like is Will Ghormley... and when I have those (probably) really stupid and puerile first holster kind of questions, he is always a fount of information, and only an email away ....

I believe that you have already worked with Will; this post is just me thinkin' aloud and speaking to the room ... here is Will Ghormley's pattern website:

http://www.willghormley-maker.com/OWC.html

[JD Alan]

Bob, I bought one of the new 45 auto belt loop models, and used it as a pattern to make a holster. It seems to fit pretty good. I didn't use the rather strange rubber band retainer contraption they provided, and I still have the leather to use as a pattern.

I'm going to make the next one longer down the barrel, and use a little heavier leather. I think with the barrel covered I could use it for Wild Bunch. I've not tried any other kits from them, or anyone else's for that matter.

[Slowhand Bob]

Wadd, are you saying that Ghormley is supplying these new kits to Tandy?  One problem with buying maker direct on -some- products is that the maker has agreements in place barring them from selling below MSRP.  Kinda like my gripe mentioned with Tandy below, I buy from them at their dealer price and then see them selling the same item to the public at dealer cost. Not a good practice for maintaining an independent dealer chain.  Its usually just best to either wholesale or retail but not juggle with both.   I think I have just answered my own question as to the viability of trying to place a few of these items outside my tent!

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Slowhand,

I am just one of those 'unwashed public' type of  fellas ... this is my first holster and have gotten used to paying retail ... the thought that I feel is that if I have to pay retail, the profit should end up in the patternmaker's bank account, not in some bank in New York City (as in 'New York City .... get a rope!' LOL) ...

My hunch is that in these hard times any corporation pays as little royalty payment as they possibly can ... meanwhile tuition, books , and just putting food on the table doesn't go down much (if any ... mostly just keeps inflating).

So I just made a conscious decision to support these guys whenever possible ...

And I will get off my soapbox right now ... *G*

[outrider]

Slowhand,

What are you actually doing...re-selling Tandy kits or are you making items using the kits?  From what I have seen of their kits so far is that they are copies of standard designs available from most "cookie cutter" manufacturers.  The one that JD pictured above is basically a standard design....JD could have designed that himself with no problem...when doing a belt holster like that you should always remember to make the front panel at least 1/2" to 1" larger then the back panel.

I recently gave a pattern making class at our local Tandy store (store #1) and did not even take one of those patterns off the shelf...but that is just me.  IMO the kits are just an attempt to get people into the store and to obviously sell them these kits...all they have to do is color them and sew them together...no pattern design or cutting needed...they are taking full advantage of the cowboy and concealment holster craze...which I think was really kicked off by Will Ghormley.  To me Tandy is mostly geared for the weekend crafter..it's not for guys like us that are advanced leather workers, semi pros, and pros.

[Slowhand Bob]

I was looking for a few items that might spark the interest of a few SASS shooters seeking a related hobby.  I think the fact that I just do not have storage room for left over stock is going to dissuade me from this idea.

[JD Alan]

Outrider, I probably could have done my own pattern, but for 15 bucks, it seemed worth it at the time. I haven't seen any other kits that look interesting to me, and I think your assesment of Tandy is spot on.

Bob, I believe Skip was saying he would rather deal directly with the maker-designer; in his case Will G, since he's planning on building the Ringo rig. I don't believe Will has anything to do with those kits.

I got to examine one of Will's holsters close up today, because skip owns one, and with a toe plug no less. In my opinion Will G and WC are in the same league as far as making holsters go; they both do outstanding work.   

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Why thank you kindly ... as I told you they are a 'plain Jane' version of th Flames of Hell holsters ... like Will Ghormley made to the Charlie Prince character in '3:10 to Yuma' ... and here are some pics ... some I have never shared before ...

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

  Howdy Wad

       Nice pictures pard, I would like to point out though, that you need to keep your free hand behind the blade of your round knife at all times, you can always move your work to accommodate this, having your hand in front of the blade as is in your picture, is an accident waiting to happen, I often use weights to help in keeping my leather piece secure to my bench top cutting surface when necessary, but moving your piece around will usually take the danger out of it. just my .02 cents worth, I would hate  hear you cut yourself. You're doing a great job Wad, and that sewing looks top notch, keep up the good work pard.

              Regards

          tEN wOLVES 

[Marshal Will Wingam]

... you need to keep your free hand behind the blade of your round knife at all times...

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Ten Wolves,

I wish I could claim them as my own, but those are pics Will Ghormley sent me when he was making my first holsters ...

My second set of holsters I will make from one of Will Ghormleys plans, and I will start on them toward the middle of the monthof October ... got all my tools and materials, just waiting for Ace Lunger's stitching horse.

I will be housebound fter surgery and doing alot fo sitting around, so I figure making holsters would be a good thing ...

I am planning on just using a standard knife until I get reeally good at this leatherwork any way.

But I think the weight idea is great, and with your kind permission, will add it into my pattern cutting plans ...