Show us your first and your last holster!

[HorsePen Henry]

Travis, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. He has a fine son and had a fine looking rig. I betchya he did have a heck of a big grin on his face when ya gave 'im that.

X Horse Pen

[Marshal Tac]

First off, let me say that I have learned alot and seen some beautiful work done by the pards here on this site. I took an "industrial arts" class in the 8th grade (about 25 years ago) and that was my first introduction to working leather. I had a patient teacher and NO talent.... After 16 years of working the street as a cop, wearing leather everyday of my career, I discovered CAS and found a new hobby that reminded me that there is fun to have and great people to meet. I jumped in with both feet. After about 2 years of collecting guns for the sport and leather to use them with, I realized that there were not alot of people out there selling what I wanted, for prices I could afford.... So I bought a book and tried my hand... Then I found out how much fun it was, combined with the satisfaction of creating your own work. I started making holsters for myself for my "working guns' and the next thing you know, all my pards at work started placing orders!

The first holster I made was for a gun that I could not find leather for commercially... a Bond arms Derringer... That was a couple of years back... I didn't make my first "cowboy rig" until just this week. Made a whole mess of "working holsters" in between.

My first holster: http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j296/Tac56/100_0842.jpg

Some where in the middle: http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j296/Tac56/100_0844.jpg

My most recent holster/belt: http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j296/Tac56/100_0845.jpg

I like to think that my skills have improved and that my leather shows it, but I also recognize that I have alot to learn.

Please keep sharing your talents and posting pictures of your fantastic works.

[Sawdust Jim]

Hi All,
This is a fun topic! This is my first holster, made around 1975 or '76. It's seen a lot of use over the years. The other pic is my latest effort, which I just shipped off Tuesday.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Fine looking holsters, pards. I like the way you showed not only your first and last but one in the middle, too, MT. Good representative photos. I like the color and configuration on the latest one. Nice work.

Good pics, Jim. Your latest is good and with the double double line, could have come right out of a pic in PI. The rig looks nice with the money belt.

Thanks for the additions, pards.

Everyone's examples show great improvement over time. I'm really enjoying these comparisons.

Here is one from somewhere in the middle (since the first is long gone) and my latest.

[JD Alan]

Let's revive this thread for Skip's sake. The mexican loop was one of the first. The black 1911 was one of the last. The black one was made to match an exisitng SAA holster, so he could wear it on his buscadero rig.

There were at least a half dozen that never made it to the finished category!

[KidTerico]

I threw at least the first 20 away and then gave the next ten away. I was terrible. You have seen my last one with all the bling and that was 5 years later.KT

[Dalton Masterson]

Pretty nice improvements there JD! Keep it comin!
DM

[JD Alan]

Dalton, I have along ways to go, but this forum has been my # 1 source of info, thanks to you!

[GunClick Rick]

All looks like prime stuff to me

[Holden A. Grudge]

Well here it is.  Finally finished my first ever holster.  I am pretty happy with it but know a bunch of areas I could have done better.  Let me know what you think and what I can improve on.

[Johnny Dingus]

Holden A. Grudge,

For your first holster it is a nice one.  One thing I would suggest is a little more room from the stiches to the edge of the holster.  Also groove your stich line.  Then you could burnish the edge of your stiched side a little.

All in All I think this holster is really nice and looks of the period very nicely.

Johnny Dingus

[Boothill Bob]

Very nicely done Holden.. My first wasent so nice 
I tink that u can burnish the edges. Really nice 

[Skeeter Lewis]

Good first holster. Welcome to the leather crew!

[JD Alan]

That's a great first, or second or third holster! I second what Johnny Dingus said.

[Holden A. Grudge]

Thank you all.  I will admit that I was a little too timid in the stitch groove.  Ended up with a very shallow groove.  I amy try and tamp down the stitches a little and see if that helps.  Overall my stitching needs work.  That is my area of most needed improvement in my mind.

For some reason burnishing the edge just didn't work into my head.  I am gonna go get what I need today and try that tonight.  I know what you are saying about the stitches being close to the edge.  Definitely something to remember for next time. 

Now I need to make a matching knife sheath, then a second holster, then belt....wooo whooo off and running now

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Holden, that first one is great. The suggestions on the stitch line are solid. You may want to put them closer together, too. I generally do 5 per inch on a holster like that. Congrats, you did well. In our FAQ thread, there's a link to a great discussion on hand-stitching. Here's the link: Hand Stitching Leather

[Drayton Calhoun]

My first one is deeply buried in an undisclosed location and the last one isn't quite finished. It was inspried by Ed Harris' holster from Appaloosa. It isn't a copy, it is patterned for my modified Remington NMA. Will post a pic soon.

[Chuck 100 yd]

I have been reading here for months. Time for me to join in the fun.
This is my first( I am making a pair) . They are not quite don yet as I just
Wet formed them today.


some will say I am bold to buy a makers stamp before ever making anything out of leather but I am the sort that just jumps in head first.
This is a fun pastime for sure! 

[Dalton Masterson]

Chuck, thats a darn nice start! Make sure to show us the final product when you get them done.
DM

[Johnny McCrae]

Howdy Chuck.

That is a great start! Very neat and professional looking!. As Dalton said, be sure to show us the final product.