Hello and thanks

[Eric Davison]

Hi, my name is Eric.  I have been reading this forum about 2 years now and I have really enjoyed looking at everyone's contributions.  Everyone is doing such great work, y'all have given me the inspiration to start really getting into this.  So much so that I have spent too much money on leather, thread, stamps, glue, tylenol and band-aids.  The tandy shop owners here in town know me by name, I end up there about twice a week wandering around and asking questions.  Anyway I commandeered the dining table and a granite inset from an old kitchen island that we had in the basement and started carving.  My biggest stress is carving.  I really enjoy it, but I need to know if I should just not do it on any "for sale" holsters.  So here are a couple of the holsters I am working on.  These are Will Ghormley's patterns.  It would be great if y'all could critique me, and tell me what I need to fix.  My biggest problem is I don't know what I don't know.  I am working to get a few holsters ready for a gunshow in March.  Thanks for any feedback and all the information that you guys have given out over the years.

[outrider]

Howdy Eric,

Welcome to the forum.   How is Byron doing (leather factory)?  If you see him tell him Outrider from Tennessee says hello.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Howdy Eric Davison

     Welcome to our forum, I see your two years working with leather has paid off well, your holster is beautiful, and well done, this is a great place to come and ask questions, and get several answers, and opinions, we're glad you finally made the step to join in with us, we're happy to have you with us.

        Regards

        tEN wOLVES 

[Chuck 100 yd]

SWEET !  Those look just fine to me!!  Nice work.

I have that pattern too. I am going to print off a picture of yours to look at when I start on mine. 

[KidTerico]

EC welcome aboard. Nice job on the holster. I wouldnt mind owning one that nice. KT

[Johnny McCrae]

Howdy Eric,

Welcome to the Forum.

I heartily second what all of the Pards have said... You are doing great!

We look forward to seeing many more of your future projects.

[Eric Davison]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the feedback.  There is so much to learn, people just don't realize how much time and effort it takes to build this stuff unless they have done it for themselves.  I am so impressed with how all of the people on this board put out such consistently hi quality work.

Outrider, I will tell him you said hello when I go in this week.



Thanks again!

[TwoWalks Baldridge]

There is so much to learn, people just don't realize how much time and effort it takes to build this stuff unless they have done it for themselves. 

Dang, I sure will second this:  Just learning the stitching is going to take this old man a while, I won't even mention my beautiful work with a swivel knife.   

I have now figured out to break down each of the skill needed and to take them one at a time.  Eventually I will concur the swivel knife.

Beautiful holster and I really like the tooling

TwoWalks

[santee]

Welcome! Your carving is superb.

[Eric Davison]

Thank you gents!  I really appreciate all your feedback!

[Wolf Tracker]

Eric  that is some very nice carving.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Welcome to the forum, Eric. Your tooling is good. You look to have good control of your tools. Looking forward to seeing more of your stuff.

[Eric Davison]

Thanks, Will I appreciate that.  I have a bunch of stuff to get done before Mid March so I will post pictures as things come together.  Also working on a beaded pouch for my mother's birthday for her to carry her ammo in up to the firing line.  I will post pics of that as well.

[Mississippi Sam]

Eric,

Your carving is gorgeous!!  Keep it up! 

If I could toss in a suggestion.  On the 49er it looks like you've marked your stitch holes on the front and back side of your holster.  I used to do it that way and would every now and then run into a problem of the holes not matching up on both sides. 

Currently, I groove and mark the front side, carve, stain, gum trag the inside of the holster, then glue the holster together.  After ensuring the seam is even I groove the backside, reapply a touch of dye / stain to the groove and then use an awl to make holes in the backside of the holster which correspond to the holes on the front side.  This way you are ensuring a straight stich on each hole.

Your mileage may vary, and what you've been doing looks great!!  I'm looking forward to seeing more of your works.

PS:  Chuck Burrows has a fantastic DVD on holster making.  It's a must have in my opinion!  He's also on this board and chimes in frequently with great advice!

[Eric Davison]

Mississippi Sam,

Thanks, I really appreciate the feedback!  This is the first one that I have done "all the way around" before I stitch.  The previous times I have waited until after I glue, but for some reason I thought this would make it easier.  It didn't, it turned out cockeyed and I had to make adjustments.  I don't have a stitching pony/mule/horse and it has been difficult wrestling with the holster once I have it folded and glued to get it on the board and get straight holes.  I am in process on getting a stitching horse made, which I hear will help.  I am going to go with your suggestions and see how the next one turns out.  I have not used gum trag on the inside of the holster and have been burnishing with beeswax.  I will give it a try! 

Thanks again,
Eric

[Mississippi Sam]

Gum trag is a recent addition to my holster making, and it has made a huuuge difference.  I use it also to slick the edges once the holster is sewn together, and it makes the edges velvety soft.  I highly recommend it.