The finishing process / What's On the Bench

This has been on my mind a lot in recent days, and something I have experimented a fair amount with. There are really two types of final finish applied go the holster once it is done.

The most popular is the acrylic resolene.  I apply it with a foam paint brush and it gives a more deeper, even shiny finish for sure. The purpose is to seal the leather to protect both the leather and your clothing. On a sweaty day the dye on the leather can bleed onto clothing if the leather is not sealed.  

The other method is less permanent and comes in many forms. Less shinny, is a tan kote or bag cote finish.  My personal belt is finished with Aussie leather conditioner (there are endless types of "wax" finishes).  The biggest deterrent from these, in favor of acrylic resolene is that they require maintenance. Since I recently made my new belt I have reapplied a cleaning wax one time.  On the plus side, the belt looks brand new after waxing. Though it is not much work, most would rather the maintenance free resolene.  The more natural finishes result in a more natural look as opposed the more shiny look.  But as Jeff Foxworthy says "rednecks like shiny"

Unless otherwise requested I finish all belts and holsters with acrylic resolene but it is worth reading this to know there are options.

Be sure and check out my totally new web site   bambamholsters.com

What's On the Bench

Up first is a cowboy style holster for a raging judge 454 casual.  Finished in an antique brown.

And next is and avenger for a commander size 1911 (not the gun pictured).  

Finished in Brandy.  

Per the customers request, I put a concho on the re-enforcement piece. 

From now on if my gut says it is not a good idea, I simply won't do it.  

He also wanted black thread, which I never dreamed it would look as good as it does. 

I like it

And a Glock 42 Skinny in Black

This has to be the most "exact" repeat holster that I have done. Glock 19 wingman in the oil sun tanned leather.   

Proto type "2" smart phone holder.

Made some changes from the first one and there are a few more after making this one.

Famous last words "the next one will be the finished "standard".

Once I get this like I want it, I just bought some very cool alligator embossed cow hide leather that I think is going to be awesome.

And the "lefty" XDM compact 3,8 (not the gun pictured) Avenger.

Dyed Brandy with black airbrushed acccents.

The Bench is empty.....If you have wanted to order one .....now is the time. I have four I have to start on.

What's On The Bench May 22 2015

Couple of belts to start off with. The top belt is unique in that it is dyed coffee and then airbrushed black.  It looks black unless it hits the light just right.....I swear it changes colors, It is a very subtle blend of the two colors.

The Next belt is a double stitched belt with "simper fi" stamped on it. The Belt is dyed Brandy

And up next is and Omni for a Shield.  Two tone, with the base color of coffee and the re-enforcement piece dyed brandy

And Next is an Avenger with 30-40 degree cant for a Browning 2/3 scale 1911 22. Snazzy little gun for sure.

And a Skinny for a GLock 42 dyed Mahogony

First prototype cell phone holster.  First one is not a keeper, although there is nothing wrong with it.  The cell phone holsters are lined, which is to say a smooth piece of leather cemented to the inside. In between those two pieces of leather is where any hardware is so nothing comes in contact with the screen. The snap is a lighter duty snap that takes less pressure to close since it is located on the screen. No worries there at all. 

After carrying it for a day or two, this is the resulting pattern that I believe I will go with. Sometimes product development takes one or two before I find a keeper.

These will wind up  (hopefully) being 2 speed loaders for a 454 casual that is still waiting to be started. (not the one listed below)

Wingman for a Glock 19. In Oil tanned natural color

In the press is a skinny for a Glock 42

An avenger for a commander sized 1911

Cowboy style holster for a raging bull 454

Revolver Holsters /What's On The Bench

How the retention works on my revolver holsters is different and just easier to explain by way of video.

What's On The Bench

Avenger for an 8 Shot 357 revolver. Big boy In walnut color

Skinny for a Ultra light 38 revolver Natural oil /tanned color

Glock 43 40 degree cant avenger. Black

Avenger for a 4' 1911 in Brandy with Black air brush accents

Slider for a Desert Eagle 9mm In walnut color

Cowboy holster for  7 1/2 inch barrel 44. Dyed Walnut with Coffee accents

Bubba J for a GLock 42 dye Mahogany

Still in the works a Skinny for a glock 42.  Sitting in the Easy bake oven after a dunking and wet molding

2 Belts in Lock down after the two layers of Herman Oak Leather have been cemented together

Stamping / The Bench

About 20 years ago I was a Baptist missionary in Panama.  We rented a building from a local man there, and his trade was leather work. He made leather covered chairs.  Works of art that would go for hundreds of dollars each here, sold for twenty bucks there. To watch him work was an example of pure mastery. Like a jack hammer in action, and only a little time later there was a completed whatever he wanted on the chair.

Stamping leather has always been the most enjoyable part, It is just "purdy". The cow hide has water applied to it and then after it has returned to near natural color, the leather is ready to receive markings. One of the many reasons I quit buying whatever was on sale and started buying Herman Oak leather is because of how well it takes and holds stamping.

To be clear, carving and stamping are two different things. To me, unless someone is extremely experienced, carvings look, "cheesy". Stamping is using various tools to, One by one make impressions in the leather. A lot of it is geometrical shapes, borders, 3D stamps, patterns that cover entirely (basket weaves), and what ever the imagination comes up with.

Examples of various basket-weaves

Examples of bordered 3D stamps and borders

Examples of just doing what hits me

What's On The Bench

Glock 19 Wingman in Black

Glock 26 Pancake in black.....this holster is for sale

M&P Shield with laser and a companion mag carrier. Dyed walnut and  Dark brown Air brushing

Glock 26 Pancake with thumb break and 2 mag carriers for a local LEO

Wingman for a full size 1911 in walnut and dark brown airbrushing

CZ75B Omni in walnut

pocket holster for a glock 43

A "Bubba J" for an  M&P 9

A skinny in the makes for little 38

A "small of  the back" avenger for a glock 43

An Avenger for a 1911

Slider for a desert eagle 9mm

Does not look like much but that is about and hours work just to make the paper for this Taurus 8 shot 357