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Author Topic: Forming leather for custom holster?  (Read 2433 times)

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Offline SurferGeek

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Forming leather for custom holster?
« on: August 12, 2005, 11:47:15 AM »
Hello,

Brand new here but I've lurked for awhile, not so much in this forum but the GBO in general.

I have a quesiton regarding making a custom fit leather holster.  A friend has a movie prop replica pistol that is not an "off the shelf" item and as such I can't find him a ready made holster.

I'm totally new to leather working but would like to tackle this.

Any good advice, tutorials or book suggestions that will cover this specific problem?

Thanks in advance.
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Offline Rancher

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Forming leather for custom holster?
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2005, 04:21:47 AM »
Look around on E-bay, The Leather Factory, or if Tandy Leather if they're still in business, for books by Al Stohlman.  His books are good and they'll tell you how to make a pattern and construct a holster for pretty much any handgun out there.
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Offline corbanzo

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Forming leather for custom holster?
« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2006, 10:23:41 AM »
If I am making something like that, Ill just lay the gun on the leather, make some marks on where the gun will go, and go piece by piece.  This espcially if I'm not sure what I want, or if the gun is shaped a little strange...  Just keep going till it works for me.  When it comes to forming, I use wood blcks and a wood mallet, put the blocks where I want a corner, or curve, put another block on top, hit it with the mallet, and form a seam that way.  I do all of my forming, and then finish off with mink oil.  Do the oil afterwards, because the forming of the leather with make stretched spots that will be of a lighter color.
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"At least with a gun that big, if you miss and hit the rocks in front of him it'll stone him to death..."

Offline Rickk

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Re: Forming leather for custom holster?
« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2007, 01:51:38 PM »
Zack White  Leather has pre-cut holster "kits". You will notice they look like Bianch holsters (gee, i wonder who raelly makes Bianchi Holsters and belts). Anyway, you can get one of them and tweek it a bit to fit your gun. Pick one out that is for approximately the framesize you are looking for. While it isn't hard to make a holster patter, the kit gets you going in the right direction quciker. After you have made one from a kit you will be better prepaired to freehand one.

If you want to make a pattern, use thin cardboard and scotch tape  and make a cardboard holtser for your gun first. Then take it apart and trace it onto a hide. Screwing up on cardboard is way cheaper.

Al Stohlman's holster book is full of tips and tricks and patterns.
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