Post by Doc Barranti on Feb 21, 2013 10:13:58 GMT -5
My first encounter with Fermin Carlos Garza was on the old Sixgunner forum prior to its demise. I had sent him a private message on the forum requesting photos of one of his fine custom sixguns. He must have looked at my profile and found my website, because rather than responding on the forum, I received a voice message on my phone. I can still remember his message; “Mr. Barranti, you evil, evil man…I’ve got to have some of your fine leather…”. When I returned his call, we spoke for well over an hour, discussing everything from custom sixguns and gunleather, to the Grand Old Man, Elmer Keith. Many hundreds (thousands?) of phone calls later, I can count him as one of my closest and trusted friends.
Here on these forums, Fermin is best known for his custom sixguns, wealth of knowledge, unending wit and inability to make a ham sandwich. What may be the best kept secret is his talent of inspiration…some might even call it Tom Sawyering! Perhaps it is best that he encourage others to create what he conceives in his mind, because I’ve heard he has the ability to break a bowling ball, and ten thumbs do just have a way of getting in the way of things at times.
Knowing my love of classic gunleather has led Fermin to encourage me to build holsters that you just can’t find any more, not to mention new concepts that just might fill a niche. My Hank Sloan model was an adaptation of my Mountain Companion model, and something I had for years planned on making but had continually put off until pushed to build it by Fermin, who also suggested the name. (The prototype Hank Sloan was lined and fishscale stamped and made for Fermin’s King Super Target S&W 44 special, both of which now belong to our dear friend and forum member Mike Madbo Hutyra.) The Bruce Nelson and the Summer Classic models were also built at Fermin’s request as functional tributes to the late holster maker.
Wishing for a dedicated crossdraw holster, Fermin requested a slim, cut-down holster, using a minimum of leather. A few designs were tried and when the final form was settled on, he suggested a name; the 2DXD… 2 Dogs crossdraw. This model has enjoyed a fair amount of popularity but Fermin never warmed up to it, and he doesn’t even own one! Still searching for a good functional crossdraw, he pushed me to re-create the old Texas High Ride rig once offered by the late Bill Grover and Texas Longhorn Arms. A few patterns and prototypes later and we had a working model. I sought input from forum member and TLA collector/historian Steve Webb, and he came up with the name Longhorn Companion, to go along with my Companion series of holsters.
The latest brainstorm to come from Fermin’s fertile mind was a desire for a versatile, minimalist 1911 rig. One that offered carry options that would allow for right or left handed use, along with good concealabilty. Once again, paper patterns and leather were cut and tried until we ended up with something that looked and functioned as desired. After receiving the prototype and giving his seal of approval, a new model was ready for the product line. Fermin again provided the name…the 2D2W… 2 Dogs 2 Way.
As with many things, looks can be deceiving. The no-neck build and unsmiling face hides the creative mind that lies beneath the crewcut. Fermin complains about my day dreaming, but I suspect he might even be more of a day dreamer than I am!
He is stubborn, unyielding and fiercely dedicated to his friends, and I’m proud to be one of them! Gracias por la inspiración, Dos Perros, mi amigo!
The prototype Hank Sloan
The Bruce Nelson
The Summer Classic
The 2DXD
The Longhorn Companion
The 2D2W
Check out the 2D2W and other new gear here: www.barrantileather.com/New_Products.html
Here on these forums, Fermin is best known for his custom sixguns, wealth of knowledge, unending wit and inability to make a ham sandwich. What may be the best kept secret is his talent of inspiration…some might even call it Tom Sawyering! Perhaps it is best that he encourage others to create what he conceives in his mind, because I’ve heard he has the ability to break a bowling ball, and ten thumbs do just have a way of getting in the way of things at times.
Knowing my love of classic gunleather has led Fermin to encourage me to build holsters that you just can’t find any more, not to mention new concepts that just might fill a niche. My Hank Sloan model was an adaptation of my Mountain Companion model, and something I had for years planned on making but had continually put off until pushed to build it by Fermin, who also suggested the name. (The prototype Hank Sloan was lined and fishscale stamped and made for Fermin’s King Super Target S&W 44 special, both of which now belong to our dear friend and forum member Mike Madbo Hutyra.) The Bruce Nelson and the Summer Classic models were also built at Fermin’s request as functional tributes to the late holster maker.
Wishing for a dedicated crossdraw holster, Fermin requested a slim, cut-down holster, using a minimum of leather. A few designs were tried and when the final form was settled on, he suggested a name; the 2DXD… 2 Dogs crossdraw. This model has enjoyed a fair amount of popularity but Fermin never warmed up to it, and he doesn’t even own one! Still searching for a good functional crossdraw, he pushed me to re-create the old Texas High Ride rig once offered by the late Bill Grover and Texas Longhorn Arms. A few patterns and prototypes later and we had a working model. I sought input from forum member and TLA collector/historian Steve Webb, and he came up with the name Longhorn Companion, to go along with my Companion series of holsters.
The latest brainstorm to come from Fermin’s fertile mind was a desire for a versatile, minimalist 1911 rig. One that offered carry options that would allow for right or left handed use, along with good concealabilty. Once again, paper patterns and leather were cut and tried until we ended up with something that looked and functioned as desired. After receiving the prototype and giving his seal of approval, a new model was ready for the product line. Fermin again provided the name…the 2D2W… 2 Dogs 2 Way.
As with many things, looks can be deceiving. The no-neck build and unsmiling face hides the creative mind that lies beneath the crewcut. Fermin complains about my day dreaming, but I suspect he might even be more of a day dreamer than I am!
He is stubborn, unyielding and fiercely dedicated to his friends, and I’m proud to be one of them! Gracias por la inspiración, Dos Perros, mi amigo!
The prototype Hank Sloan
The Bruce Nelson
The Summer Classic
The 2DXD
The Longhorn Companion
The 2D2W
Check out the 2D2W and other new gear here: www.barrantileather.com/New_Products.html
Really Fermin, is that what you wanna call it.......... 
