Knife Sheath / What's On The Bench

I have not done a knife sheath in a while so I was taking pics as I went just in case some one (you) would find it interesting,

As always the paper pattern is the most important part. From the pattern I get these parts.

IMO any leather looks better with some nice stamping.

FYI the tape is applied to avoid stretching when stamping.

Couple of pieces need skiving. That is tapering from thick to thin.  

This was to give less to come in contact with the belt.

Some Coffee colored dye in just the right places

Sew the belt loop and strap in place. 

Wrong place and it will be a sad ending.

 Then a piece over the stitches so that they don't come into contact with the blade.

The 5 different layers get cemented together one at a time.

Yes it takes a while. Then the thickness is to much for my stitching machine.

Old school.

Little to much for an Awl so.....I  get a drill bit just over the size of the needle,

And drill each stitch placement.

Since I am picky about the hole not being to big, I have to use a pair of pliers for each pass with the two needles used in saddle stitching.......and done.

FYI- the double stitched belt below took about 1/6th the time compered to the hand stitching on the sheath. 

 Sand, sand, and sand some more.

Bevel, dye and burnish and there you go.

This Video  (and others on his channel) 

is where I learned how to make most anything that is not gun related.

What's On The Bench

Besides the knife above

 A Setup for an XDS.  

Avenger holster with an aggressive cant and thumb break, 

and a matching double magazine holder

An avenger for a Dale Earnhardt Jr fan

Glock 42

An Avenger for a 2011 45.

Has the embossed gator overlay

A belt

And a matching pair of Glock 43 Skinnies

What's On The Bench

Poor mans Gator overlay. Came across some alligator embossed Leather, which is 3 once cow leather run through a machine that give the look and texture of Alligator (but its not). Looks pretty sharp anyways. Avenger style holster for an XDM 9mm. I can do the real deal, but as best as I can figure, it would ad another 169.00 to the price.

A double stack mag holder in the same overlay

Another double stack mag holder

Iphone holster with a rattle snake inlay

One left the shop without a photo (oops)

Found it hard to get time in the shop this week, the rest is whats in the process.

Belt , walnut in color

A pair of  Glock 43 holsters in the makings

Already Legal Open Carry Holster / What's On The Bench

Been working on a few different smart phone holders.  Finally got what I have been looking for.  I have made them with and without the security snap. The 2nd one and the 4th one are the same holster, I just decided I like it better without the snap for my personal one.

I have a few different ideas for other types of smart phone holsters in the makes.

Glock 19 to be worn "small of the back" "knuckles in"

Color is walnut and Black

3 Inch 1911 Avenger 

Color is Brandy with black Accents

XD 9 Avneger

Color Cordovan

Double Mag Carrier OWB

 Another One

Cell Phone holder with a Rattlesnake Inlay

Something special for me

1911 Avenger with a thumb break

A View of Complicated (to me) / What's One The Bench

In conversation with people I see clearly that they don't see the complications that arise in holster building.   This holster is the most complicated I have done yet. I am going to use the word "most complicated" to mean a holster that has several individual opportunities at different stages of the build to screw up the whole thing and have to start over.

As always, it starts with the most important part......the paper pattern. This involves the tracing of the gun and the most important part, marking where the stitch line will be. If that is off, well, it will be a sad ending when you try to put the gun in the 80% finished process.  Of course on this one the thickness of the leather has to be changed so the lining of it wont make it to thick, and then the two pieces together are taken into consideration in figuring out where the stitch line will fall. The to add to the possibility of complication, that thumb break has to be in the right place. Again, if any of the measurements and admittedly, guess work is off........sad ending.

Believe it or not, another complication is knowing where the stamping can go and be centered and not end up getting covered by hardware or stitching. Then there is the fact that all surfaces have to have contact cement applied without getting any on the leather that will be visible. There is also the first, complete overlay of elephant covering the re-enforcement piece and being able to cut the belt loop with out disturbing the bond.

Once everything is stitched together and edges sanded, beveled and burnished, comes the moment pf truth. I dunk the whole thing in a bucket of water and shove the gun in. Until this point there is always a little reservation (with new stuff) as to whether it is going to fit. The fit....... exact......but......the thumb break......did it?  Oh yes, right on the mark.........

Complicated?  Sometimes even after almost 200 holsters it still gets complicated from time to time.

Best part.....customer says I need to experience the 454 Casual which the holster was for.

What's One The Bench

Sad part of a complicated one is that I only get one other one built

An Omni for an M&P Shield. Dyed Brandy

In the makes ........ Double Glock mag carrrier

Iphone prototype 2 ------think I finally got it with this one.

Hope so since I have a few orders once I am happy with my design.

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.