New patterns by WG

Slowhand Bob · March 29, 2013, 07:54:30 AM

Guys, I just received a new sales flyer from Tandy and surprise surprise, there were some new patterns out by Will Ghormley. The real surprise for me was that Will is trying something new and different on these, thay deal with kydex. It appears that Tandy is offering a couple of different sheets of kydex in its newer catalogs as well. I am thinking of getting some of this to experiment with as an internal skeleton, replacing stainless steel in a couple of my western holsters.

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · March 29, 2013, 10:48:51 AM

Sounds good Bob, let us know how it goes, Wills new patterns look good as does all his offerings in patterns.

tEN wOLVES

bedbugbilly · March 29, 2013, 11:33:17 AM

I tried to get a set of those patterns the other day but they were out of them when I went to pick some things up. I have a number of Will's patterns - he sure does a nice job on them.

I've never used kydex - and am not that familiar with it. Can someone expand on the advantages of using it - just what does it do for a holster as opposed to a traditionally made holster? Does it allow for a faster draw for those who shoot competition? Is it placed between the bucket and a liner or does the pistol sit against it - if it sits against it, what about finish wear on the pistol? I'm assuming it has to be shaped or formed - a difficult process or easy? Thanks!

Doc Arroyo · March 29, 2013, 05:06:37 PM

Quote from: bedbugbilly on March 29, 2013, 11:33:17 AM
I tried to get a set of those patterns the other day but they were out of them when I went to pick some things up. I have a number of Will's patterns - he sure does a nice job on them.

I've never used kydex - and am not that familiar with it. Can someone expand on the advantages of using it - just what does it do for a holster as opposed to a traditionally made holster? Does it allow for a faster draw for those who shoot competition? Is it placed between the bucket and a liner or does the pistol sit against it - if it sits against it, what about finish wear on the pistol? I'm assuming it has to be shaped or formed - a difficult process or easy? Thanks!

It is a thermoplastic with a low working temperature. Household oven or heatgun will make it soft and moldable. When cooled it retains shape very well. I don't know if it has many applications in a traditional holster, but is a spectacular choice for my "hybrid" IWB holster. Leather against the skin, thin and strong enough one hand reholstering. I have noticed little holster wear.

This is the kind of holster in Will's new pattern, but I haven't seen them yet since my local Tandy didn't even know about them. Honestly, they had no idea what the Kydex was for...just that it was on sale.

Camano Ridge · March 29, 2013, 05:53:10 PM

I just picked up both sets of Will's new patterns. They are part of his new Tac series. The TAC combat K clip is the Kydex patterns. The TAC M7 system is a tactical holster system - Shoulder, Chest shoulder, Strong side paddle, Cross draw paddle. I have looked at them and they look pretty good. The M7 system is leather not Kydex.

GunClick Rick · March 29, 2013, 08:29:09 PM

I sent Will a howdy today and he answered back and said he has been busy,haven't seen him on here for awhile so i figgered i'd give him a have a good weekend note.

Steel Dinger · March 30, 2013, 05:45:03 AM

hello this is all new to me. but i knew i wanted to make my own belts and holster. so i got a WG pattern of the Cheyenne Holster. Thats the type of holster i like. I opened the pattern and I could make out the heads and tails of it, but what do you do you now, cut out the pattern part that you want then lay it on the leather and trace it. Thanks Steel Dinger

Slowhand Bob · March 30, 2013, 07:05:57 AM

I checked his site and did not see the new stuff. Very interesting new field though. About the only use I know of for traditional western leather is to use it for liners but I will have to do some experimenting on that. The only way I can see it working is if the heat required for forming will not damage the leather BUT then there is the glue???

Camano Ridge · March 30, 2013, 08:49:38 AM

Steel dinger, there are several ways you can use the pattern. You can cut out he patten. I like to lay the pattern on poster board or other material with carbon paper between. Trace the pattern then cut the pieces out of the poster board or what ever material you want. This gives a more durable longer lasting pattern then just paper. Once your pattern pieces are cut out lay them on the leather cut out your pieces then assemble. Although Will does not have a tutorial specificaly for the Cheyene he does have several for other holsters. Here is the Hand of God holster http://www.willghormley-maker.com/MakingHOGRig.html if you look it over it will give you some idea for the proces of assembly. Since the Cheyene is a mexican loop style there is basically one piece to cutt out the skirt and holster are all one. Once you have it cut out cut the slits where indicated in the skirt that will form the loops. Stitch the main seam. fold make the fold between the skirt and the holster tuck the holster under the straps. Wet the holster insert your firearm shape and let dry. If you are doing a border or any tooling do it before the stitching so the whole thing can be layed flat. That is a basic abreviated version. If this is your first time doing a project like this and you need more help or more explanation PM me.

Massive · March 30, 2013, 01:10:54 PM

Quote from: Slowhand Bob on March 30, 2013, 07:05:57 AMThe only way I can see it working is if the heat required for forming will not damage the leather BUT then there is the glue???

It takes 350F through and through the kydex to get it to flop into shape (cake baking temp. I don't see that as being possible once it is coated with leather. It might make something limited in size like a curved sight track. On can make tripple layer full holsters out of it, but I am not sure I could make one that was very cowboy. Maybe if the perimeter was laced, or something.