What can I do with this now?

[TennHillyBill]

Wanted to make this for my .44 Russian, loosely modeled after the Tommy Lee Jones holster in 'The Missing'.  Started with too small a piece of leather, which I think was too heavy to start with.  As it is now, the thing is stiff as a 2x4.  Question is, once the main seam is sewn, can I wet it enough to bend it through a loop at the bottom?  This is one of my first attempts at this, and carving as well.  Any thought, opinions, advice, or idle gossip appreciated!  Bill

[rickk]

I always wonder that myself, but I have yet to find one that I could not get through the loop. Not saying there won't be one someday though ;-)

My guess is that you will get there.

[TwoWalks Baldridge]

Have you oiled it since the dyeing?  From what I hear from great sources here ... use Lexol and it will soften up.  You probably want to do that before sewing.

[Farmer]

heck man,...just make a loop strap,...and attach it behind the holster(to the backflap) with some rivets....or chicago screws...


kinda like I did on this sheathe.....



that way you dont have to worry about bending it thru-

[Slowhand Bob]

Based on the photo, and they can be tricky sometimes, it will be necessary to add the belt loop as an attachment here.  Very narrow skirt profile, thicker leather and the skirt ends short in the area where a loop would be added seem to be working against you.  I have overcome the heavy leather problem by using plenty of water confined to the loop area but I think that would be a uuuuh stretch    with this combination.   The carving looks fine, add a bit more attention to the edges and buff in a top coat when finished to have a good looking holster.  Bone some wax into the edges to make the fibers lay down tight and it might even be necessary to use some Gum trag on the back to get the fibers down there also.  Take your time and enjoy a short break any time you feel frustrated or lost as to the next step. 

[rickk]

Farmer, if you shop around a bit, you can find Chicago screws that come with a pan head instead of a round head.

In fact, they aren't even quite pan head exactly, they are very flat on the top (pan head has some roundness to the top typically).

They are much lower profile and wont dig into stuff (like your leg). I have no idea why some would be supplied with anything but this extra flat pan head, but they often are. Some careful shopping is on order. It is quite common to get very flat surfaced screws from a vendor one day and then another day get round head screws from the same vendor.  Sometimes you gotta call, and when you find the really flat ones, stock up.

[Farmer]

ya ,...all mine are rounded,..so i try and sink em into the leather a lil.

[Slowhand Bob]

Another option that works, especially when it can be concealed, is the use of small t-nuts combined with pan head Phillips screws.  Sometimes the Phillips will reduce shaving contact surfaces.

[TennHillyBill]

Thanks for the ideas, Gents.  Thought I'd ask for some ideas before I messed with this again.  Think I'll just go with the strap idea and forget trying to 'loop' this puppy!  Bill