Leathersmiths.....show us yer stuff, (#1) THIS THREAD IS NOW CLOSED

Johnny McCrae · February 14, 2009, 07:19:14 PM

Many thanks for the kind words. I would not have been able to do any of this without the inspiration, encouragement and help from everyone here on this forum!

JD Alan · February 14, 2009, 07:25:54 PM

Hey Johnny, VERY nice work. Every about it is great. I especially like the color.

santee · February 15, 2009, 07:28:50 AM

Spot on there, Johnny! Man, is that color rich. Practice holster? Waddya kiddin'?

JD Alan · February 15, 2009, 08:16:07 AM

Morning Johnny. I only had time for a quick comment last night. I agree with Santee, practice holster? You must mean it's the holster you'll practice shooting with!

It does not appear that you lined this one, is that correct? What weight leather did you use?

Like Will said, the Rosette you made really looks great.

Did you wet mold it? If so, before or after you dyed it?

I just glued a filler strip in a test holster last night. I'm not stamping it, just trying to find the right size-shape for my Rugers. I will wet mold, and dye it to get some color & finish experience.

Thanks for sharing your work, JD

Johnny McCrae · February 15, 2009, 08:49:21 AM

Howdy JD,

This holster is fully lined. It is made from two pieces of 5 oz. leather cut from the same hide. The pieces are laminated together with Barge Cement. I wet molded this holster after cutting, stamping, dyeing and sewing it. The pistol is wrapped with Saran Wrap. The Holster is immersed in warm water for ten minutes. I leave the pistol in the Holster for around an hour and then it let it dry thoroughly before doing the final finishing. There are probably some better methods for wet molding but this seems to give me pretty good results.

I call this is a practice Holster in the sense that I'm still experimenting and learning different techniques. I need to make a new rig for myself for the upcoming season and I'm still a bit unsure on exactly what I want. I'm leaning towards Slim Jim's again because of the ease in holstering them. I'm also thinking of a cartridge case instead of bullet loops. That way I can use it for various calibers.

I gotta' tell ya..... all of this planning and thinking about the next project is a lot of fun for me. In addition to the tremendous satisfaction in building one's own gear, you can make something that is exactly what you want.

JD Alan · February 15, 2009, 09:45:07 AM

Thanks for all this info Johnny. It didn't look like you stitched across the top, which is what I usually see when people line their holsters. So, one of two things is going on. Either I can't see the stitching, or, you didn't stitch all of it, but relied on the glue. Either one is OK by me, I'm just trying to learn here!

I just reread the Wet Molding thread, and it's interesting to see the variation of practices concerning water and how long people put their holsters in it. You would be at the high end, with ten minutes, whereas some guys are talking about 10 seconds!

I also went out to the shop and looked ay my holster. It's still too wide across the top. I want the trigger guard to rest on the back edge, but I've not accomplished that yet. I'm using real cheap belly leather to mock these things up, and I can use the practice cutting, so it's not a waste.

I'm taking my wife to the beach for a couple of days after church, so I won't be working on anything until maybe Tuesday
evening. Sort of a Valentine's Day-Early Anniversary deal. 32 years, where does the time go?

Thanks agan Johnny for sharing your time and experience. JD

cowboywc · February 15, 2009, 12:58:15 PM

Howdy JM
Keep up the great work.
WC

Rayban · February 15, 2009, 08:25:54 PM

I slapped the handles on this made-by-one -of-my -buddies blades...big ole honker, 12 1/4" O'all...I made the sheath.....

[Lost links deleted by moderator]

Marshal Will Wingam · February 15, 2009, 08:50:48 PM

Looks good, RB. Clean and crisp. That's a good color for it. The knife is nice, too.

Dr. Bob · February 15, 2009, 09:00:51 PM

Rayban,

I'll second the Marshal! Looks real good!!

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · February 15, 2009, 09:34:38 PM

Howdy RayBan

Beautiful Knife sheath Pard, nice clean and professional look to it, I like the color and the high lights, looks like a keeper

tEN wOLVES

Gun Butcher · February 15, 2009, 10:02:14 PM

RayBan, that is a very professional looking sheath it compliments the knife perfectly. Johnnie if that is practice you are going to knock our eyes out when you get the final product.
Hey, JD, congrats on the 32 years, she must be a pretty special lady.

santee · February 16, 2009, 05:20:37 AM

Mighty fine edges on that sheath, too.

Johnny McCrae · February 16, 2009, 06:56:32 AM

Howdy RayBan,

Beautiful job on your sheath! Very clean looking with excellent workmanship! I like the design of the tip.

The knife handle looks great. Many thanks for sharing this with us.

Rayban · February 16, 2009, 07:41:39 AM

Thanks for the kind words...I wish it were a keeper but actually it's a donation to another forum. A build-off contest of sorts, the winner does not win squat, and all the knives are put up to raffle and the proceeds go to the forum.
Like a puppy dog tho, I've become rather attached to this one, and I plan to make one for my own self.

Ace Lungger · February 16, 2009, 11:41:02 AM

Rayban,
I'll have to agree with the gang, AWESOME nice style clean net, and good color!
Thanks for shareing!!
ACE

Irish Dave · February 17, 2009, 11:11:19 AM

I likes it. Good job.

Ace Lungger · February 17, 2009, 05:24:52 PM

Howdy Pards,
I normaly don't post up here, and this is a re post! I am posting my Latest project, The Should Holster I made for a man in Colorado! He emailed me to day to tell me home much he loved the rig, He said he couldn't believe the color match , he said it was perfect, he also couldn't believe how well it fit the gun, his words were it fits like a glove! I have all of you to thank for this feeling You all took me in, and helped me in any way I asked, and I thank you for that!!
I was a nervous wreck because I had never done a natural oil finish, and to match a 10 year old rig! My Mentor, TW settled me down and walked me threw it! I have meet so many good people on here, and some have become very good friends. And one thing I have allways said was you never can have enough good friends!
So I am kinda tooting my own horn here, but it would never been possable without you folks!
And I Thank You!!
ACE

Marshal Will Wingam · February 17, 2009, 05:55:05 PM

Well, you earned the toot, pard. That does look good. Thanks for sharing that with us.

Dalton Masterson · February 17, 2009, 06:15:28 PM

Way to go Ace!! It really does look good!!
DM