First holster set ready for Something!

JD Alan · March 04, 2009, 07:44:31 PM

Well, this is my first set of holsters and belt. I've cut out several holsters, but never went beyond that. They are based on a quick draw design, something I knew would hold the guns. The next set will be more traditional.

These are ready for color & finish, but I'm holding up until I can figure out this dyeing thing. I have 8 pieces of scrap drying, all with various concentrations of Fiebing's pro oil dye in (supposedly) light brown. If this is light, I don't need to see the dark!

I've tried it straight, cut 50/50 with alcohol, then 2 to 1, finally 3 to 1. I've tried each concentration with dry and cased leather, and it doesn't seem to make much difference. All but two pieces are Tandy. I cut out a piece of Harman Oak, and tried it with 3 to 1. So far it's looking better than any of the Tandy leather. All the Tandy leather had some tooling. I've stamped another piece of H.O., and will dye it after it's had a chance to to dry.

I guess the next thing is to try stamping some of the same leather I cut the holsters from, and experiment with oil and sun.

And The Beat Goes On!

T.C. Grant · March 04, 2009, 07:49:20 PM

JD,
Absolutely great work! From reading on the forum the last few months I know you took your time getting to this point and it has really paid off. I can't wait to see the final product.

Watch out Chuck Burrows!

JD Alan · March 04, 2009, 08:04:14 PM

Thanks T.C. I appreciate the feedback.

I hope Chuck gets as big a laugh out of your last comment as I did

Marshal Will Wingam · March 04, 2009, 08:42:58 PM

Those really look goods, JD. No matter what color you use, it will look good. Very good rig.

As to thinning dye, I have some that's so dark brown it needs 5 to 1 or more to come away from the dark shades.

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · March 04, 2009, 09:34:46 PM

Howdy JD

Very nice Pard, you really have a nice looking rig going there , and the way you have it low cut like that you could also use it for quick draw, I agree in what the Marshal said, that what ever color you put on it, it's going to look great, your border tooling on both the holster and the belt is very clean and and blend well with each other, WELL DONE

tEN wOLVES

Johnny McCrae · March 04, 2009, 10:11:18 PM

Howdy JD,

I echo everyone's comments. You have done a fantastic job!

Dalton Masterson · March 04, 2009, 10:22:04 PM

Hey JD, I use the same dye I think, and mine goes on very dark but usually dries kinda light.
While you are experimenting tho, dye a piece of cased leather as well, and note the difference. I usually case my leather, before I dye it. It seems to come out a little more evenly, but there can be a color difference between a piece of non cased and cased.

DM

Johnny Dingus · March 04, 2009, 10:33:54 PM

JD,

Great looking work. Wow! I too like the cut down look, but have gone more traditional with a drop.

Your stiching looks nice and even and your tooling looks very well placed.

Can't wait to see them finished.

Johnny Dingus

cowboy316 · March 04, 2009, 10:54:46 PM

JD
very slick lookin rig your doing great with the leather work keep up the great work
Cowboy316

JD Alan · March 04, 2009, 11:41:00 PM

Well, thanks everyone, I appreciate your support. Not surprisingly, I've got two dozen things I don't like about it. I have learned a lot on this project, things I hopefully won't do a second time. I'm ok with the stamping, but the cutting & construction aspects could be a lot better.

The back side of the stitching is atrocious. I've got to figure out some different ways to approach this part of the job. It's so bad I wouldn't even take a picture of it!

I'm looking forward to the next set!

Thanks again guys, JD

Curly Red Ryder · March 05, 2009, 02:40:33 AM

Great job JD.
I'm not found of fast draw holster, but I appreciate your work.
For the clour, I'll suggest only oil (olive seems working better) and sun and in a few weeks, you'll have a rich golden looking.

Congratulation pard!

Skeeter Lewis · March 05, 2009, 03:07:01 AM

Great rig, JD. You're on the way.

Pokey Packrat · March 05, 2009, 05:51:40 AM

J D, nice job on the carving and on your holsters, I like the Olive Oil/ Sun color, but I dye also with limited success. This is a rig I recently finished for Cowboy Fast Draw. It has 3 coats of EVOO and 1 coat of Aussie wax plus 3 days in the sun. I'll still give it more sun but it's winter here in Michigan and I'm not sun if it will tan as Fast as summer. Nice job, and keep up the good work!

Pokey Packrat · March 05, 2009, 05:55:28 AM

Wow sorry Gents, I just looked at the previous post picture and the camera must be playing tricks on me cause that rig is not mottled like the picture

Justino Caballo · March 05, 2009, 09:08:19 AM

DANG JD!

you rascal you! I see what you are doing, you wait and learn and start out as a master. great job

Irish Dave · March 05, 2009, 09:28:10 AM

Very nice work there, JD. You've got yourself a good lookin' set.

JD Alan · March 05, 2009, 09:35:17 AM

Justino, if you saw it up close, especially the back stitch line, you would quickly remove "Master" from your evaluation! I'm not unhappy with it as a first try, because I learned so much of what NOT to do.

Pokey, I'm beginning to think EVOO and sun might be the answer. I was hoping to be able to use it this weekend, but I don't think that's going to happen. The forcast is normal Oregon for March, overcast with showers, no sun. I like the color of your rig, it looks goods.

Red Rider, there are pros and cons to the fast draw type of holster. I don't know that I will make another one, or will at least modify this pattern.

Thanks again guys, I do appreciate it, JD

RollingThunder · March 05, 2009, 02:54:22 PM

JD.

First things first. I dunno if a preacher is allowed to quote Sonny and Cher. LOL. Secondly, those look mighty fine to me. Color? I'd suggest the EVOO and some son, and then several coats of Neatsfoot to redden it up. I always get a really nice reddish gold tone with that combo. Sometimes I'll tint it with some Brown stain cut back, but usually I get a really nice tone that I'm happy with first shot.

Here's some examples and the original colors so you can see what I got ...

The first two are plain leather with EVOO/Neatsfoot evenly mixed, with some Briar Brown antique stain rubbed in. The next one is Neatsfoot, slightly lighter in application, with some Briar Brown Antique stain to bring out the Fraugahyde and the last one is only Neatsfoot on that same original color leather.

Hope this helps, Padre!

Gun Butcher · March 05, 2009, 06:23:16 PM

JD my friend, I get out of touch for a little while and you sneak up on me. I can only echo what the other guys have said, you are well on your way, great job.
Just remember to have fun with the whole process.

JD Alan · March 05, 2009, 08:00:35 PM

Well RT, you gave away your age, recognizing that song line!

I like every one of your spur straps, but I like #2 the best. I will try mixing EVOO & Neatsfoot together to see what happens. I hadn't heard or thought of that, at least that I can remember. I now have light, medium, dark, and Sheridan Brown Fiebings antique paste, as well as black.

We'll see what happens!

Thanks for all the encouragement and feed back everyone, JD