I get asked all the time what kind of designs I can put on holsters. There are two main ways of getting designs on leather. One is "carving" and the other is "stamping". What I do is stamping. Basically, geometric designs done by using tools to make impressions on leather. The pictures below are examples of what I have done. A lot of the things are some type of 3D stamp such as pictured below, and then various types of borders or designs. Also are various size letters and numbers that can be used as well.
Basket weave with camo border
3D stamp with triangle border
3D stamp with pointed triangle border
this one had some work done with a wood burner to look like a brand
Star with camo border
3D Stamp with triangle border
3/4 inch letters, 3D Stamp, and I call the other part "scroll work"
Arrow head design
3d Stamp with "squiggle" border
Letters with Scroll work
3d Stamp with Barb Wire border
Lettering with a "veiner, camo" border
Various Lettering
3D Stamp and "Armour" basket weave
Initials with Camo border
FRESH OFF THE BENCH
3 Mag carriers for 1911
Glock 43 Avenger with initials and basket weave
Sig 229
Gun Belt, Wingan and and Avenger (an insy and an outsy) All of it Brandy, then airburshed acccents
personalized Glock 42 Omni
Pancake holster for a Glock 19 New Color -----Mahogony
I get asked a lot about what colors can be done with leather. The possibilities are endless, but here are the main ones that I do, and other examples as well. Every color I use is a recipe, or mixture of dyes that I continually replicate. I keep pretty good records but there can be slight variances caused by many things....dye mixtures, different sides of leather, even the weather can effect the outcome to some degree.
All natural ....no dye
Cordovan and Walnut. (cordovan can vary in appearance)
Mahogony
Walnut an Saddle tan
Brown
Walnut / Brown
Then in oil dye there is always "BLACK"
Holsters that are two piece construction can be dyed any combination of colors. The re enforcement piece (smaller piece) is listed as the 2nd color in these pics.
Made another shoulder holster. Same color as the first.......Brandy, then all the pieces airbrushed Cordovan. This one was made to double as suspenders as well, so it fastens to the belt, If you are wondering, they are not needed on a shoulder holster. It really does not mover around much at all and the straps are not needed to "keep the holster from moving around" when drawing. I have a video that shows this and will post it when I do a blog on shoulder holsters. That will be when i finish the two that I have on the bench now.
A "Crippled Omni" for a Bodyguard 380. Little Basket weave then dyes Brown.
One of my favorite type of customers. He ordered a holster, then another holster and a mag carrier, then a friend saw his and ordered two holsters, then he orders this double stitched belt in brandy then air brushed black.
Then a set up for a Glock 43. Personalized Avenger and Mag carrier. The color is Walnut and Cordovan.
Looks the same but it is not. A lady wanted a holster that she could wear without a belt. I had just come across this "ulticlip" that fastens on to the pants, and is very secure. They are pricey though. They are 15 buck extra by the time I get them shipped to me. Link to info bout the clip .......LINK
Another person bought one of my sliders at a Gun show for a Glock. Then at the following gun show, ordered this belt and mag carrier to go with it.
Another first is this setup. Customer wanted his "brand" on the Belt. This is what I came up with.
Another one of my favorite type customer, that keeps ordering one thing after another, just got this knife sheath.
Little Omni for a Shield.
A customer that ordered before, ordered this one for a gift for someone else. Thought I would post a portion of his response after ordering. If your wondering, I never mention names unless told to do so.
I only have one thing to say about the little revolver holster:
WOW!
That holster is beautiful. I really like the one you did for my .45, but this one blows me away. I have a feeling that this one is going to cost me some money because now I am wanting the same design for myself.
I got to have a little range time recently. One of my drills I always work on is based around the statistical fact that the typical gunfight happens within 3 feet 3 shots and is over in 3 seconds.
I put up a two targets and put three rounds in each target while using a Shot Timer.
I am no speed demon I fully realize this. In my drill, the most important thing I'm looking for is how fast the first shot gets on target and that the remaining shots are on target within the 3 seconds.
Drawing from the appendix position, the fastest draw that I can get on target and 1.3 seconds. Completing the shooting in 3 seconds. I was shooting two targets, each target receiving two to the body and one to the head. It's a good drill for anybody to practice.
My real learning observation was when I start with my hand on the gun and waiting for the timer to go off. This is to simulate the possibility that I know something looks out of place and I simply have my hand under my shirt as if propped up in my belt but I'm holding my gun. To my astonishment the first round is off .56 seconds.
Realizing the average gunfight only lasts three seconds if I am aware of the bad things about to happen getting the first shot of in 1/2 second compared to 1 1/2 seconds means I am in the fight 1/6 of the way through instead of halfway through. Think about it.
FRESH OFF THE BENCH
Avenger for a Taurus 85. Color is Cordovan and walnut
Glock 19 Avenger. Color Cordovan and Walnut
Clipper for a 3 inch 1911. Brandy with airbrushed black accents
Avenger for a Smith and Wesson SDVE and a taller than normal double mag carrier
Wingman for a Glock 26
Clipper for a Glock 19 and an omni for an XDS
I call it a crippled omni. Stationary clip for a sig 938
I have read many "what to do" articles about conceal carrying and police interactions. In Texas, it is required to inform the police if you are carrying a firearm. Me and the little Mrs were in route to my sons house for a little "grandbaby time". Our route took us through a construction zone. Drop from 60 to 45 MPH. OK, we do that.........Little ways down the road, out of construction, but not the zone, I pick it back up, and wouldn't you know it, some one slow poking along, and I hit the brakes as I am gaining rapidly on him. He pulls over, I pass by him, he hits his lights, I pull over.
The following is just what I did, some opinions vary on what should be done. I lean forward to get my wallet out, and hold it up, so it is apparent to him what I am doing, as I get my licenses out. In other words, from his car he can see that it was my wallet that I was reaching for. As he comes to the car, what I am doing with my hands is obvious and in plain view. Not paying attention to the wife doing the same thing, We both hand him our license to carry and drive (passenger does not have to do this, I think).
I have met very few people as courteous and polite as this Highway Patrol. His first question was. "if you both are carrying, please tell me, without touching, where your gun is." We both informed him of such, and he congratulated both of us for have our gun on our person. And further stated, "it is sad, that so many hand me there license to carry and don't have the gun on. He of course asked me if I knew I was going 59 in a 45 in a construction zone, and if I had a reason. I just told him, I blew it, and was not thinking, that I have not been stopped in over 15 years and for some reason thought the zone had ended. The conversation, turned to guns, and gun safety a holster making. In hind sight, I should have told him, I make holsters for free to law enforcement that give me a brake, but that would not have been wise. He tells me, "I am going to let you off with a warning, and does what he does in his car with my license, and a few minute later......Please sign here.
To me, the most astounding part of the encounter was yet to come. His parting words, were, "thank you for being so courteous". It is a sad day in my opinion for the police. They are lambasted with negativity in the media on a continual basis, and so often hear abusive talk and behavior by the people who have broken the law.
FRESH OFF THE BENCH
Smith & Wesson 45 Long Colt holster and Belt Dark Cordovan and Black
Ruger Redhawk Avenger Cordovan and Walnut
Side view as worn
When un snapped, cartridges fall into your hand
1911 IWB Setup .....most of it is rough out and Walnut
Sig 938 setup with avenger, mag carrier and Belt Walnut and Cordovan
Another view
Couple of cowboy "fun" holsters for a 22 LR Antiqued Tan
