The leather hobby......

[Mark Terry]

What weights and types of leather does everyone use?

All I've ever used is 8-9 ounce vegetable tanned shoulders and I can't imagine punching holes with an awl (like the Al Stohlman instructions).

[swcr]

8-9 oz would be appropriate. All the holsters I make are fully lined so I use a double thickness of 4-5 oz glued and stitched back to back. Shoulders or double shoulders work well for holsters because you don't want to use belly leather for holsters. If you are looking for a larger piece of leather then get a back, they'll be roughly twice the size of a double shoulder.

[mbogo]

Very nice work, everyone.

As for stitching with an awl, wetting the stich line ahead of time helps a lot. When sewing an edge with a welt, then it gets fun. Also when hand stitching, both sides should be grooved, and I prefer to use the pounce wheel on both sides, it helps keep everything very even. Some kind of stitching horse is necessary.

[jforwel]

Didn't mean to ignore the thread, just been away for a bit. Lot of good discussion about methods. My holsters are hand sewn, here is a 1911 holster I made a couple of weeks ago. Made one for a friend the same way but in brown. The lighting makes it look more yellow than it really is. Currently I am working on one for a 6" .454 Casull Raging Bull.


I sell them cheap since it's a hobby and the more I make the more I refine my technique and features.

[brionic]

Wow! Very nicely done. Please post more of them!

[Mark Terry]

I second the "Wow!". Very nice carving. I like the way the carving spills over the border on the front edge. Nice touch.

I also find it interesting that your strap is riveted to the inside part (toward your body as it's worn) of the belt loop. I wouldn't have thought of it but it eliminates any chance for the rivet to scratch the gun. Another nice touch.

Great job, well done. Thanks for sharing.

[jayhawker]

Classic design, good execution, carving better than most. Nice work.
Jayhawker Bob