Old belt, new holster

[Red Cent]

[Marshal Will Wingam]

There ya go, Red. Looks like a fast rig. Nice work.

[BobbyF]

Red Cent,
     How beautiful and typical of your work, always neat and clean. Looks like several weights of leather for holster and belt. Can I ask what sizes you used ? Also, the stitching on the holster looks tighter. Do you have a "formula" for stitch size ?
I hope these questions not inappropriate, if so please forgive a rookie. Thanks and be well--bobbyf

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Nice job Red, it looks fast as Will said, well done pard, and thanks for the look see 

  tEN wOLVES 

[Red Cent]

Thanks fellas.

BobbyF, after I finished I believe I got the stitches too tight and a stitch or two buried. I was trying to match the belt stitch. Appreciate the remarks. I take pride in the clean edges. This has been a little transformation from instant gratification to detail work. Makes one really appreciate what goes into doing decent work.

Lately I have been using 8-9 veg tanned double shoulders for the outer and 4-5 veg tanned double shoulders for the liner. The first thing I did when I started was watch John Bianchi's tapes courtesy of Slowhand Bob. He advocates an ounce lighter for the liner. Requires too much bulk and heavy leather for me. I use WeldWood gel contact cement and the combination makes for a very strong holster. The belt is of the same construction plus a buckskin (I think) liner.

[Johnny McCrae]

You do nice neat work and your designs are well thought out. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Red Cent]

Thank you.

[BobbyF]

Hi Red,

     Thanks again for sharing the pics, and especially the material info and the reasons for choosing them. Makes a nice lesson. More info for my note book. I'm sure there are other Pards out there making notes as well. I'm also searching for the John Bianchi videos on your recommendation. Thanks again and be well--BobbyF

[Massive]

He advocates an ounce lighter for the liner. Requires too much bulk and heavy leather for me.(I think) liner.

So if your average holster is 13 oz material, then you would make it out of 7 and 6 ish material.  Same total weight, but the glue line is at the neutral axis.  The other thing I have noticed is that holsters made that way are less likely to wrinkle the lining.

The downside is getting material that thick,  without a skiver; and having to pay for two full weight hides.

[Red Cent]

Bianchi used 8-9 for the outer and 7-8 for the liner. As for skiving, sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. A few wrinkles on the inside of the holster ain't bad. Most of the time, I use a French skiver to cut a small groove line from the front curve of the holster but only the 8-9 outer.

[BobbyF]

Red Cent,
   
     I found Bianchi's DVD set on line. I was a little reluctant to spend that much money. Now that I watched them, I think it was money well spent. As a novice, I would recommend anyone starting in the hobby to get a set. The discs are just loaded with how-to-do stuff presented by an excellent teacher. Thanks again and be well-BobbyF