All Naturàl / What's on the Bench

Experiment / What's On The Bench

Always curious about different aspects of my holster building, I decided for a little experiment. You don't know what you don't know is a sad state in my opinion. The new shop is still under construction but everything is set up so I can work about as efficiently as possible. I think I have had 14 projects on the bench this week and just curious about what I can do, I made a little "task" sheet.  With several holsters on the bench, it can get confusing as to what is due when, and what needs immediate attention.

The daily routine has been is 2 hours in the morning and 2-3 hours in the evening in order to get a better understanding of what I can do.  Partially, just so I can honestly tell people when they can expect there holsters.  It's not a test of "how fast" since things just don't turn out well when done in haste, and a fast level of production is just not what I am after.

  What's On The Bench

 Fresh off the Bench

The "slider" is what we will call this newest holster.  This one is for a Glock 19.

It is more of a flat back holster with a tunnel for the belt loop. This is my "go to" when I carry OWB

Wingman for a Glock 19 dye is brandy

A Skinny for an XDS 3.3, it is made from my 4.0 which sticks out the additional distance

Also an IWB mag carrier. One that I wear but have never made otherwise.

The back of the mag carrier is lined for comfort. This design is made for comfort of carry and does not give a "free" easy grip to the mag.

Smith and Wesson 9mm avenger

A pair for a Glock 19

A horizontal mag carrier for a glock 42. Could be made for others as well

Still on the Bench

An Omega for a double stack gun, almost done Jacob

A pair for a Sig 380.

Some mag cariers

Skinny for a little 38

Slider for an XDS

The fit / What's On The Bench

There is a lot that goes into making a holster. The hardest part, by far, is the paper pattern. If the pattern is wrong the holster simply won't work. The saddest part is that I don't find out until the end of the whole process when I form the holster to the gun. Wet forming is soaking the holster in soapy water and then placing the gun in the holster (If it is an actual gun I put a liberal amount of oil and wrap it is saran wrap) and then "boning it in" to get the detail and the form that allows it to have retention and come out pretty easily.

From the first time I did it, even until today the following is what amazes me.  The holster that seems like the gun is never going to make it in the holster is the one that will, turn out the best. Before I learned a few things I actually hurt my back one time getting the holster in. It is common for me to start the gun in the holster and turn it upside down and put as much weight as I can manage on the leather just to  get the gun all the way in. When it comes to taking the gun out of the holster it can be very challenging and you would swear this thing is going to be to tight........and that is the holster that will function perfectly. 

What's On The Bench

Desert Eagle 9mm Avenger in washed brown with natural pannels

Because everyone needs a pair.

Stamped belt in Brandy dye

M&P 9 with the above belt also in brandy with airbrushed black accents

I have only made one of these sliders for my self and I wear it a lot.  Keep showing it and people like it. The below is a trial run (for sale). Part of the process is after making this one, I study it and make a few changes to the pattern. this one will have the bottom corners rounded and minor adjustments to the stitch lines in order to keep the back of the holster even flatter.

Slider for a Glock 19 in coffee

The back is flatter than a normal holster

Starting on a wingman for a glock 19

Little cowboy holster for a 22 .....because it makes shooting it funner

Skinny for an XDS

The waiting bench.......looks like and avenger, omni, omega and a mag carrier

part of a "present" order that can't really show in case the recipient is of the 2-3 readers of the blog

Back up to full speed / What's on the Bench

Well, the move is made, but not sure when all the boxes will be gone?

We lived in our last house 11 years, and when we packed, it was amazing, all of the stuff that came out of places that we forgot about!  I guess it is to be expected to take a while to get it all back into new places.


The beauty of 5 acres in the country. First of all, so many people across the street (no neighbors on my side of the road) have stopped by to introduce themselves and be "neighborly". Not once in 11 years did that happen in the city! We aspire to do what is best termed "modern homesteading" and with 5 acres there are no limitations.  Best part, is I step out my back door to shoot.  Had three steel targets made and I can step out at any time to shoot at those 8 inch circles.  Locals that pick up there holsters have to drive a little more but can try out the new holsters on the targets if they wish.


On the down side, there is a lot of work to get the place where I want it, but I aint afraid of work. Past two weeks of snowy conditions have shut down my "day job". So I have had plenty of time to start the work.

What's On The Bench

3.5 inch 1911 Skinny holster (used a 5 inch to mold it)

M&P Shield Skinny

Wingman for am XDS

Omni for an XDS

A pair of holsters for a 2" 38 revolver. The omni and and avenger