Holsters 101

[Slowhand Bob]

There has been little doubt that there has been a scramble recently for patterns over nad beyond those that are made commercially available to us.  I fear that many are missing the important step of learning pattern making, I see many who have already produced beautiful holsters seeking patterns that they should be capable of creating on their own.  No matter the resource, video, book or class instruction, the first chapters always cover fitting and designing patterns to individual firearms and we should not skip past these.  Remember that many of the guys here are doing this for a living and no matter how generous they are we do not want to extend their shop time doing what we can learn to do for ourselves.  

We are lucky to live in the most information rich period in the history of holster making.  With that in mind I will try to revue the most popular videos, books and even pattern packs available for holster makers and give MY OPINION on their strong and weak points.  Remember, once you know how it is done you will be able to copy most any design that you can visualize with little more than a good photo or handy tip.  At best this could take a while, so lets get started.

First off I pulled what I consider to be one of the best videos available for the beginning holster maker.  It is slow paced with lots and lots of information on how to go from your gun and a piece of leather to a good quality plane Jane Cheyenne holster.  Though the holster instructions include a liner I think one should wait until proficiency has been achieved  on unlined versions before tackling liners.  The DVD is CUSTOM MAKING THE WESTERN HOLSTER with Jim Simmons and is listed as available for $14.95 at Hide Crafters.  Sorry I did not think to check the actual running time and now find that it is not listed anywhere BUT it does seem plenty long.  Im not really fond of his sewing method but am willing to give him a two thumbs up for this one simply due to the value it offers to the beginning pattern maker.  The intermediate leather worker might pick up a tip or two here but I feel the advance guys will have little to gain beyond perhaps entertainment.  Simmons has also written a couple of books and offered several pattern packs which I will review later.

I plan to try and watch the holster making video offered by Dusty Johnson of Pleasant Vaalley Saddle Shop next.  If anyone has watched the ones I am reviewing please jump in and add your opinions to the pot.  Questions are also welcome while I have it fresh on my mind.

[JD Alan]

I have several of Jim's books and patterns. I agree with his sewing methods, but generally I've been helped by his materials.

I think Chuck Burrow's double DVD on holster making is excellent.

Thirdly I think they guys here on the forum, including you Bob, are the best resource a new leather worker could have, because of the  interactive nature of the forum.

I've sure appreciated all the help I've received here!   

[Slowhand Bob]

Thanks and you are right JD sometimes I think the old devil himself lives in that word technology but then I have to remember that it has allowed us to have access to a great resource, each other.  I hate that Simmons seemed to almost just disappear, though I do not use his assembly techniques he was a good teacher and created some nice pattern packs.  Patterns are something that I seem to never feel I have enough of BUT with an understanding of how the pattern is assembled I can usually create most designs with just a couple of photos to go by.  On the videos, I think I have most of the better known ones and can not truly say that something was not learned from each of them.  After I finish the DVDs I will do a run down of my books next and most are still available, I think. 

[Cliff Fendley]

It's really pretty easy to make a pattern and believe people would find it easy also if they try it.

I've never made a holster from a store bought pattern and of course since my knives are handmade I have to make the sheaths to fit them.

I have taken measurements and/or traced some original pieces in order to closely remake the originals.

[Slowhand Bob]

Cliff, my technique, since I am not a particularly artsy guy, involves a basic art program.  First I grap the image that contains the lines I like and adjust the size in the computor and print it out.  Those line I wish to recreate are then used to overlay one of my own patterns and adjust the lines to suit.  I have most of Wills patterns, and many many more, but seldom am happy with them until after they receive a bit of personalization.  We should all have our own vision and learning to properly fit the gun to the leather will be the only fast rule as to whether or not the artistic vision is practical.  Well, then there is the annoying little problem of assembly techniques to be addressed   <<Indicates I forgot to consider that, been there before.

[JD Alan]

Cliff, looking at your website and the holsters you've made I'd say you've got pattern and holster making both down prety well!

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre]

It's really pretty easy to make a pattern and believe people would find it easy also if they try it.
I've never made a holster from a store bought pattern..

Same here. Making a pattern IS easy. Al Stolman's holster book shows you how to do it. Once you've got the size right, the rest is just cutting away what doesn't look like what you want. Of course starting with plain paper lets you add back to it too.
When I finally get a pattern right, it's nearly as much scotch tape as paper. I trace that onto a manilla folder and use that to trace onto the leather.

[Kid Terico]

I agree with Cliff. I have never looked at a CD-or  pattern . I feel they are so easy to make why bother. Its more fun to come up with your own ideas. KT

[Slowhand Bob]

I actually have a couple of patterns that I always referred back to when designing a new style holster. Since the real guns are not in the shop it is easier to work from a tried and true base patter in most cases.  If the old pattern fit well then its tracing done lightly would be my starting point for a new pattern.  I will probably never get to it but there was a time that I thought a nice set of paperboard mockups of most guns would be handy at the bench.  After a while you know how much set back (or work from notes) is required for the common guns at the center line fold and along the main seam.  I still have the old gun test magazines with those full size photos that I was going to use. 

Contemplate on this, all makers/patterns do not seem to use the same bearing points for supporting the gun inside the holster.  Notice how some designs follow around under the trigger guard and front of frame to form a shelf under them, well how about those, and there are many, that simply follow a graceful curve from the trigger guard swell down to the muzzle, what suppoerts the gun here?  Some have hard and firm rules on how a gun must bear (contact points) inside a holster while others seem to play fast and loose with the rules?

One last thought, I am having problems with the old Dusty Johnson video and hope I can resolve it within a day or so.  I transferred the original from VCR to DVD years ago and now find that the disc doesnt play on my new machines.  I think I still have the original tape but no tape machine.  It is a good video and I do want to watch it again and review it for those who have not seen it.   

[Slowhand Bob]

HAH, I found the old DVD machine that wrote the copy and sure nuff it still reads it.  I really thought the newer machines handled the older formats.  Well my old guy memory kinda let me down on this one, shoulda been at least third on the list as a teaching aid.  The video is HOLSTERS AND KNIFE SHEATHS by Dust Johnson of Pleasant Valley Saddle Shop, includes a large pattern sheet with several holsters, knife sheaths plus a Buscadero  belt, and retails for 29.95.  It is available through several sources including the authors web page   http://www.pvsaddleshop.com/

Though I really like this video and consider it to be more entertaining than most, that is also its shortcoming for the beginner, it is very fast paced.  It seems to be a good second step video would be a great addition to the Holster book by Stohlman.  Most of the techniques seen here are pretty basic, tried and true.  There is very little attention paid to specifics of pattern creation and like most of the video it is a quick demonstration of the how-to and would be great for those with problems visualizing book or other reading material.  You will quickly see hand sewing seams, bullet loops and then jump right into the same jobs as performed on a Tippman BOSS sewing machine.  I will not even try to remember all the examples he shows in this video but remember, its all done in an hour long format so hold onto your seat for a fast ride.  Perhaps not for the rank beginner but most experienced holster makers will be very familiar with the basic and standard techniques demoed here.  This fits nicely into that place I will call the advanced beginner class and or a great visual aid for the beginner starting out with the Stohlman book. 

Next I think I will see if the George Hurst version might be better suited to the beginner who is also looking for more in depth pattern instruction.  Has anyone of you guys seen the Dusty Johnson video, if so did I rate it right? 

[Cliff Fendley]

Thanks JD.

It was harder at first but now that I have a bunch of patterns all I have to do is find one that I know fits the particular gun I'm making one for and use it for the basic sizing.

I do basically like Bob except I always have a real gun there as well for reference, I'll trace the holster that works and add or take away from it to make the new style I'm wanting to make. Keeping in mind that in some of the critical areas the new one cant be any smaller or much larger in order to have a good fit.

Now I can generally make a new pattern in a matter of minutes and be confident it's going to work.

[DUKE DEADEYE NUKEM]

I have several of Jim's books and patterns. I agree with his sewing methods, but generally I've been helped by his materials.

I think Chuck Burrow's double DVD on holster making is excellent.

Thirdly I think they guys here on the forum, including you Bob, are the best resource a new leather worker could have, because of the  interactive nature of the forum.

I've sure appreciated all the help I've received here!   

I second that. Along with Will's patterns.

[DUKE DEADEYE NUKEM]

Thanks JD.

It was harder at first but now that I have a bunch of patterns all I have to do is find one that I know fits the particular gun I'm making one for and use it for the basic sizing.

I do basically like Bob except I always have a real gun there as well for reference, I'll trace the holster that works and add or take away from it to make the new style I'm wanting to make. Keeping in mind that in some of the critical areas the new one cant be any smaller or much larger in order to have a good fit.

Now I can generally make a new pattern in a matter of minutes and be confident it's going to work.

You also make some awesome knives too.

[Slowhand Bob]

I think I only have three revues left to do, the Chuck Burrows, the George Hurst and the John Bianchi set.  Im sure many here have seen Chucks and will hopefully chime in but I do not get a feeling that anyone has seen these others to give an opinion??  I would like to get a few pennies together  and get the working with rawhide videos one day.   

[outrider]

Slowhand,

I have both Chuck's and the set from Bianchi...both are excellant

[Blackey Cole]

I will second JB's 3 Disc set being an excellent Beginner to intermediate source of info.  I have viewed the GH video several years ago when I first started making holsters and IIRC it was very basic almost coping Al Stolman's book for pattern making and holster building.  But that was several years ago.

[Slowhand Bob]

Guys, had to make my way to Georgia yesterday as the my mother took a fall and broke her shoulder.  I will be down here for a short spell arguing with her over the television remote!  I did talk to Will G on the phone yesterday and started an order process  to start catching up on those later patterns he has out. Gotta start some supper so later guys.

[Blackey Cole]

Bob, Hope all goews well with your mother.  As for the George Hurst video unless someone gives it to you I would save your money as I said from what I remember it was Al Stolmans book on video with a dry host.  I may have not finsihed the video and missed stff because of that.  I will pick my copy up this coming week when I swing by my house.  I will review it when I get a chance.  I will have to order Chucks videls if they contain anything above the basice folded holster like most do.  I would like to see something on designing and building a pancake and other no folded holsters.  I think for the money the John Bianchi videos are the best beginner holster videos out there.  After all he was the one to modernize holsters from a shooters point of view rather than a pocket to holst and protect the firearm.  I would like to see more videos showing concelment holsters and shoulder rigs than a cowboy holster since you have them already.   Also advance techniques on construction and lining with something other than leather for fast draw and long lasting holsters.  I can make most cowboy holsters since the only variant is usually the back piece and how it connects to the holster itself.  you have several levels of covering the mouth from fully to the Three persons open mouth styles.

OOPs sorry for the rant..

[outrider]

If your into knife sheathes..I understand that Paul Long offers two DVD's...one for beginners and one advanced.....I just ordered the advanced one so I will lwt you know about it.

Slowhand...where are you in GA.?

[Slowhand Bob]

Outrider, I am just south of Macon, closer to Warner Robins, just inside the Bibb County line off 247.

Blackie, through the years I have found that a lot of instructors tend to be somewhat dry and though sometimes it is hard to concentrate even when they have some good information to pass along.  When I started out there were no such thing as videos and unless we lucky enough to have a mentor we were limited to the couple of books available then or an occasional magazine article to learn holster making.  I tend to be a day dreamer and get mentally side tracked while book reading, some of them 'how to' writers are boring to, so do like the visualization of videos.  I would say that I have learned something from every maker I have been able to watch.  These small handful of videos are the only ones I have found dealing with holster making but perhaps a search of The Journals classifieds might turn up something that I am unfamiliar with.  There are very possibly some old saved magazine articles in my shop and I will try to look for them when i return home.  I have lost a lot through the years when moving and am no longer sure what I still have.  Thanks for the well wishes for Mom, she is a tough old gal and is doing well as far as I can tell until her next Dr appointment.