My homemade CM9 IWB holster

[slowpoke]

WOW!!
That's beautiful work.
I vote black.
Get ready to start a waiting list. ..

[BEARDOG]

You are too kind slowpoke ...

Since we were talking about finishes I am now questioning the use of that Resolene at all... When you use beeswax do you after dyeing inside and out use the beeswax on the inside/fleshside too? and will that really seal the dye in?

[slowpoke]

If you use the dye I suggested you wont have to seal it. Buffing it out with bees wax doesn't really seal anything it just makes a nice finish and slows down perspiration.
The bees wax is very easy to re apply for periodic maintenance without making a mess out of everything.
It should be noted however that most holsters makers "do" use a spry on finish of some sort but I don't. "Saddle lac" is an easy one to use.
It looks good on a web site or catalog photo but it's pure hell to get back off and it traps moisture inside the holster.

Bees wax -- easy on / easy off . It's been used for thousands of years.

[TucsonMTB]

Everybody does black, so that's probably a safe choice for anyone but me.

Here are two of my favorites. One is un-dyed horsehide. The other is brown leather. I wear them both proudly.

[Bawanna]

I'm just now stumbling onto this thread and gotta say you guys made some nice looking rigs. Beautiful stuff. Beardog yours would pass muster with a veteran leather worker, simply outstanding for a first time. Very nice.

I made one not worth mentioning attempt at leather work for a knife sheath. Didn't take long to realize that it wasn't my true calling. I'll find one someday if theres enough days.

I'm kind of partial to the way your holster looks as is myself. Natural or tan or whatever you call it. You right there's lots of black ones out there too though.

Like pretty guns its a shame you have to keep a pretty holster covered up all the time. Sort of like chrome valve covers on your car, you know they are there and they are cool to look at but nobody gets to see em.

[slowpoke]

Everybody does black, so that's probably a safe choice for anyone but me.

Here are two of my favorites. One is un-dyed horsehide. The other is brown leather. I wear them both proudly.

Those are really sharp looking holsters.
Is the 2nd one a cherry/walnut stain combo?

[garyb]

It is amazing how you make that leather take the contours using the wet leather process. It must be the type of leather you are using? You have gotta tell me more about your shaping process. I do leather work and just made my wife a mag pouch, but the countours are nothing close to the work you are doing. Nice stiching too.

As for the color....I prefer black, but your idea to try mohogany might look good too. Heck, just make one of each color! That is the beauty of being handy. It is only the cost of the leather and thread. The time you spend on projects like this is not deducted from your life.

[TucsonMTB]

Those are really sharp looking holsters.
Is the 2nd one a cherry/walnut stain combo?

You have a good eye. That's pretty close.

I started with an unfinished Los Vaqueros Saddlery holster and a favorite Fossil brand braided belt that has a nice color and has worn well.

The holster was finished with combination of:
1. Fiebing's "Mahogany" Leather Dye (4 FL. OZ. bottle with an applicator)
2. Fiebing's "Dark Brown" Antique Finish (4 FL. OZ. Jar of a jell-like material with a strong solvent odor)

The colors were applied to the holster, working until they matched the belt, as you see in the picture. The holster probably has a finish coat of Fiebing's "Neutral" Leather Balm with atom wax, but I don't remember for sure.

If I had real talent like you guys, it would not have been necessary to buy the holsters.

[BEARDOG]

Well I went with black. I am pretty happy with the way it turned out. I could have done some things better, but for holster#2 I'm happy. I learned a lot from doing it and the input from you guy's is great. Thank's




TucsonMTB, That color looks great! I do really like that mohogany color on a holster, I will make one that color in the future.

[slowpoke]

You have a good eye. That's pretty close.

I started with an unfinished Los Vaqueros Saddlery holster and a favorite Fossil brand braided belt that has a nice color and has worn well.

The holster was finished with combination of:
1. Fiebing's "Mahogany" Leather Dye (4 FL. OZ. bottle with an applicator)
2. Fiebing's "Dark Brown" Antique Finish (4 FL. OZ. Jar of a jell-like material with a strong solvent odor)

The colors were applied to the holster, working until they matched the belt, as you see in the picture. The holster probably has a finish coat of Fiebing's "Neutral" Leather Balm with atom wax, but I don't remember for sure.

If I had real talent like you guys, it would not have been necessary to buy the holsters.

Most leather suppliers sell pattern packs.
I think I have the pattern around here somewhere for that holster. It came with several other western patterns including the old style shoulder holster.
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/s...s/6031-00.aspx

[Bawanna]

That turned out awesome. Proverbial thing of beauty. Very nice.

How is that on the draw stroke? It looks like a lot of retention or forming in the trigger guard. Does it slip out pretty nice past that. Great for retention.

The molding is phenominal. I think you've found your calling.

[slowpoke]

Well I went with black. I am pretty happy with the way it turned out. I could have done some things better, but for holster#2 I'm happy. I learned a lot from doing it and the input from you guy's is great. Thank's




TucsonMTB, That color looks great! I do really like that mohogany color on a holster, I will make one that color in the future.

That's a GREAT job.
But now your hooked.
The next thing that will happen is you'll never be satisfied.
You'll keep looking at how to make it better, and then better, and then better, and then better.
I predict you'll go through 2 holsters a week.
It's a sickness that wont go away. But you'll suddenly make a lot of new friends.
So far my CW40 has had 2 rso horsehide holsters this week and I'm eyeballing a few things for the next one.

HAVE FUN!!!

[TucsonMTB]

Well I went with black. I am pretty happy with the way it turned out. I could have done some things better, but for holster#2 I'm happy. I learned a lot from doing it and the input from you guy's is great. Thank's




TucsonMTB, That color looks great! I do really like that mahogany color on a holster, I will make one that color in the future.

Bawanna's right. The level of detail in your molding is terrific. Your holster looks as nice as any I have seen, including the well established pros.

Thanks for the kind words about the color of mine!

[BEARDOG]

Thank you all for the very nice compliments,

Bawanna,
The draw seems good now, but it was a bit tighter then I wanted it after I got done stitching it up. It just took some repeated drawing last night to get it "broken in". I think maybe the dye and fininsh may have shrunken it a little???

Slowpoke you are right,
I am just like that too!...I want to make another one soon. I also want to do some OWB and pocket holsters too but have to design them first. Also want to try making some Kydex holsters sometime.
I really have to get back to my reloading first though... I have the all the brass ready, but still have 1000 FMJ 9mm heads that need loaded in it, so I can actually shoot my Kahrs

TusconMTB,
Thank you, but I am no pro. I still have much to learn and try my hand at making, but do really like doing stuff like this.

[BEARDOG]

It is amazing how you make that leather take the contours using the wet leather process. It must be the type of leather you are using? You have gotta tell me more about your shaping process. I do leather work and just made my wife a mag pouch, but the countours are nothing close to the work you are doing. Nice stiching too.

As for the color....I prefer black, but your idea to try mohogany might look good too. Heck, just make one of each color! That is the beauty of being handy. It is only the cost of the leather and thread. The time you spend on projects like this is not deducted from your life.

Gary,
I did it just like I did before...I just wet it and let it sit a little, It won't be really wet on the outside, but it is on the inside. I use a some saran wrap loosely over the gun (I mostly do this to protect the Crimson trace laser from any moisture.The Kahr is stainless and poly so I am not to worried about it.) Then put the leather over the gun and just start working it down and around, with my fingers, and when I get it so far I start using my molding "tool" (I use a hi-lighter pen, that has a nice smooth, rounded back end). Just follow the edges with it pushing them out/down for more definition. I work at it awhile, It is almost dry till I'm finished. When I have as much detail as I want I stop and let it dry completely. If you are going to do a really molded look, remember to pull the gun in and out as you go or it will be so deep of moldings you won't be able to get the gun out when your finished.

This leather is 6-7oz single shoulder from Tandy. I was told that a shoulder is harder/stiffer then a side as far as working it like this. It did feel pretty stiff And I was a bit worried I wouldn't be able to get good details with it. But once wet it was no problem to use and really stiffens up nice when finished. They are on a good sale at Tandy for only $20.

I bought this helpful tool for the thread hole layout.
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/h...s/8091-00.aspx
I got it so I could have different size stitches, but I think I should have gotten the cheaper single size #5 because it is smaller and would let me get closer to the molded shape without scratching the leather...oh well I will get some smaller head screws for this one and it should be fine.