Anyone else ever want to quietly ditch something you tried to make?

[Tallbald]

On a personal note, the holsters I have been working on is for a 4 5/8 inch stainless Blackhawk and a full flap for a stainless Ruger Old Army look uh, rough. The one for the Blackhawk is too stiff, should have had spacers in the sight channel and trigger guard area and straighter stitching. The full flap attempt is too tight , and cracked at the fold. Bless my wonderful wife. She tells me how beautiful they are and wants to show them to all our family and friends (Please don't honey. No really babe.). All the wonderful respondents here and photos, tips and references have shown me what I can do to make things better as I go along, so as I did back when I was teaching myself wood turning and furniture building I want to politely rid myself of these two feeble attempts at leather craft. I can't count the number of turnings that went into the kindling box way back then. Don

[Slowhand Bob]

I promise that there is someone somewhere  who would be mighty proud of your seconds but remember, the harshest judge as to your progress will be you.  What you consider a poor second just might not look so bad to others.  I have given many holsters to clubs for use as loaners, I have given a few to fokes in real need and I do have what I call my clearance box that can be put out.  A clearance box will make a lot more money than will a trash can any day!  Last but not least, I never get the good projects, I always get the prototypes and seconds! 

[Johnny McCrae]

The first time I made a pair of Holsters for someone, I ended up making them over three times before before giving them to him. I still occasionally have to make something a few times to get it right. I figure this is just part of the cost of learning this craft.

[Dalton Masterson]

I am working on a big order right now, and have remade the 3 holsters again, as I didnt like the flower center and one of them felt like a little lighter weight leather.
Yes, I have a lockable trunk full of old leather that didnt quite work.

BUT, hang on to those first pieces, and a year from now, and 2 years from now, look at them and pat yourself on the back.
It takes practice to make perfect, and none of us are perfect yet.
DM

[Johnny McCrae]

BUT, hang on to those first pieces, and a year from now, and 2 years from now, look at them and pat yourself on the back.
It takes practice to make perfect, and none of us are perfect yet.
DM

Great advice!

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Hi again Tall Bald ...

I think that that everyone has been right ... we ARE our worst critics ...

When it comes down to it at the end of the day, does it hold a pistol? Does it function as a holster?

Would a cowboy use it instead of putting the gun in a saddlebag on the back of his horse?

You can always make a friend another when you get getter .... in the meantime, he would probably be pleased as punch to have what you consider a 'throwaway'... it would sure beat carrying it around in his hand ....

Take heart ... some of the best here have admitted to less than perfect holsters ... enjoy the ride and give them a better product later on ....

Best wishes

[marine-mp]

Tallbald,
    He or she, who cuts no leather, makes no mistakes.    Semper-fi     Mike

[rickk]

Screw-ups can have the problem areas marked up, taken apart, and used as a better pattern for the second attempt.

It is common when doing something that requires a new technique to have things not come out perfect... The second one will be better.

Leather burns quite well in the wood stove btw 

[bedbugbilly]

Tallbald - Hang in there pard!  Everyone has posted some excellent advice and words of wisdom.  Leatherwork is like any other craft.  It takes practice, practice and more practice.  You taught yourself woodoworking from books and said you put a lot of turning into the kindling pile.  I taught woodworking and owned a custom woodworking/millwork business.  I did custom turning and have turned thousands of spindles of all sizes over the years.  Don't for a minute think that I was never dis-satisfied with any of my turnings (as an example).  I had a pretty good size kindling box as well!     I've made lots of holsters and leather goods and on each one of 'em, I can point out every one of my mistakes.  I keep two of my first holsters on the shelf of my leather cabinet just to remind myself of how far I've come from when I first started.  You sound like a man who is not afraid to tackle anything (plus it sounds like you have a great wife as well!).  As has been stated, we are our own worst judges.  I learned to play fiddle when I was 43 - and like leatherwork, it took a lot of practice but I did it.  Don't be so hard on yourself pard.  I think everyone here will agree with me when I say that each piece of leatherwork a person does, is a learning experience.  You work on a holster, you see how you can do it better or different next time, and you learn from it.  That's what it's all about.  I also judge my work too harshly - the nature of the beast I guess.  But, the day I turn out soumehting "perfect", is the day it will no longer be a challenge and also the day I sell all of my leather tools.  So, relax, enjoy, learn and have fun.  There's lots of help on the forum - all you have to do is ask.  And just remember, the only "stupid question" is the one you don't ask!  Hang in there pard - we're all rooting for ya!   

[Wolf Tracker]

Hi Tallbald - I'm a newbie to leatherworking also. I have been looking and listening to everyone's advice on this forum for a few months now. I finally found some time (and courage) after the holidays to start a couple of holsters and a belt. Well, I am starting my second set of holsters because mine ended up being to tight also. I was very discouraged and put it on the side for a while after the first attempt. Luckily though, I also have a supportive wife who kept me going and also some stubborness that won't let me give up. I took a look at the holsters, tried to figure out what I did wrong, and took it as a learning experience. Hopefully I won't make the same mistakes again, but I do know I will make other mistakes, and I will learn from them too. I do find leatherworking relaxing, so I'll keep sticking to it. I hope you do too.   WT
           

[GunClick Rick]

Just an old hide i put the make on back in 73

[KidTerico]

At one point I threw away more than I kept. KT

[ChuckBurrows]

What the rest of the folks here said - FWIW I've been crafting leather for 50 years as of this January and am a fulltime pro and still remake things - got a trash bin full of "mistakes". As well have a bunch of friends who are full-time pros and all of them toss their mistakes and start again on a regular basis......

Then again there's the advice of another fellow craftsman - If you can't fix it Feature it! and sometimes that works out to the good.

For those who have too tight holsters sometimes this works - grease your gun good and put it in a plastic bag, then TIGHTLY wrap a couple of layers of duck tape over the section that fits in the holster. Dampen the leather real well inside and out with 70% rubbing alcohol, but not sopping wet - I use a cheap plastic spray bottle available at most any hardware stores. Now shove the gun into the holster and let dry - most of the time the leather will have enough stretch in it to fit the gun right.

[outrider]

Like KT....I have lost count on how many I chucked....

[outrider]

Like KT and Chuck...I have thrown away or given away many of my mistakes....it is a never ending learning curve...you never stop learning something new

[JD Alan]

The old saying "We learn by doing" really applies to leatherwork

If Chuck Burrows occasionally throws things out that didn't work, who am I to complain?

[TwoWalks Baldridge]

As I read this thread, I begin to realize that I am a very smart man. 

I decided to learn to make my own holster so I ordered 12 square of leather ... I figured I would end up with one holster that I found acceptable for a beginner.   

[Wiley Desperado]

Ah, I feel much better after reading this thread, I thought it was just me.  Guess I'll keep on keeping on. 
wiley

[bedbugbilly]

ChuckBurrows - I read your tip about using 70% alcohol in regards to stretching a holster if a pistol fits tight.  I'm just curious . . . I have always dampened my holsters with water, oiled the pistol and put it in a plastic bag and put it in to the bucket, molded it and set it aside to dry with the pistol in it.  I'ts always worked O.K.  Could you expaqnd a little on your tip about using the alcohol?  What is the advantage of using it over water?  Quicker evaporation or does it have an effect on the leather or leather fibers that water doesn't?  Many thanks!  Much appreciated as I'm always looking for "better ways".   

[ChuckBurrows]

Quicker evaporation is the clue..