Dying Leather / What's On The Bench

Sounds simple......just dye this holster this color.

There are so many things that affect the outcome of dying leather. To attempt to copy the exact same color is a game of chance considering that each hide is different and the tanning process is different with various tanneries. On top of that, there is the way each hide was stored and what it has been exposed to? There is the weather conditions, included exposure to heat, sun, moisture ect. All of my dyes are a mixture, and even though I have  a very methodical method, the out come can vary slightly.

I would have to be honest and say that I have never read or seen anyone dye leather the way I do. There are typically three ways to dye leather.  1. Dauber application (wet the dauber and apply)  2. Dip dying (literally dip it in a container of dye).  3.  Airbrush.  I have never been happy with typical dauber application which is to apply an even coat.  My method is the dauber, over and over and over and over. When done the leather is limp wet, and takes a good little while to dry but the penetration is extreme.

An airbrush can get a color exact, since it is an application applied with great control. The only problem is the coating is so thin that when scratched, the raw color will show through.  The air brushing that I do is an accent, on top of the first coat, and purely aesthetic. The one thing I have learned is that when that top coat is applied it sometimes surprises me with the outcome. Blending a two colors with "variables" just does not always come out to be the same.

The hardest part to comprehend is that the whole coloring changes when the holster is dunked in a bucket of water and  then formed or "boned in" to the gun. Depends, on the dye and the process but some of them change dramatically.   The "washed brown" that I offer is a completely different process as the dye is a water based antiquing process. When dunked I can rub it and wash a away as much as I want. This is purely a guessing game as to the outcome.

I used to get a surprise on a regular basis (the outcome), but with practice I get more and more accustomed to knowing what the outcome will be.

 What's On The Bench

 Finished up my personal Gun Belt. These are two pieces of Herman Oak leather totaling .2 inch in thickness. They can be made thicker or thinner.

 A Skinny for a Shield. Dyed Brandy and airbrushed black accent

 A little Skinny for a Taurus TCP

 A Wingman for a Glock 19.  Was an order from my Etsy site. I offered any changes like stamps, initials, color ect and the customer said that one was perfect. So I made a copy.

 A belt I can't show to close as it is a gift.

Still on the Bench

An XDS Skinny

 A Slider for a Glock 17

 A little Cowboy 22

 An Omni for a CZ75B , it has 3 mag pouches as well

 An Avenger made to be worn on the small of the back for a Taurus PT111

 A OWB Cross draw for a Glock 30

 A OWB Cross Draw for an XD 9

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

The new shop / whats on the bench

Well,  we have finally moved to our new place.  Five acres of heaven. Most importantly is the stand alone shop building.   The shop needs some work, but that does not scare me.  I can see what it will become. 

The one thing we don't have is that interweb thingy.  No internet yet.  Try typing a blog entry on you phone.   Younger than me wont see the problem.  Older than me will agree.  

Not the same format options for pics but here are a few randoms.  

Couple close to done

 

In the easy bake oven, drying after stamping. Will be an omni for a desert eagle 9mm

Walk Softly, but Carry a Big Stick / What's On The Bench

I was trying to find the words to describe what I mean by "walk softly, but carry a big stick". Well, then this picture came mind.

In the Army I figured out pretty quickly that a lot of people have a loud mouth, and talk a lot of talk. This was in the 80's In a long period in between wars, fewer and fewer had combat experience. It was at this time some one told me, out of all these people running there mouths, "flapping their gums"  it is the quiet one you had better watch out for and let him have your back, the loudest one will be the first to cower and desert you.

I think "walking softly " is admirable. Especially as a concealed carrier. Not the guy looking for the next chance to throw his chest in the air looking for the opportunity to prove how "bad" he is. Just a person living his life amongst those that are "flapping their gums" "strutting like a rooster" (describes the wannabe punk thugs, to me) yet at the same time carrying a big stick. Of course the smart ones carry that "big stick" in a Bam Bam Holster.....just sayin.

What's On The Bench

Finished up

1 3/4 double stitched

Washed Brown

Washed Brown as Well

The above belt as a set up for an M&P 9

M&P 9 0 degree cant with mag carrier

The above belt with a Lefty M&P 9

 Below is the makings of the wingman

Wingman for a Glock 19

How the Wingman wears

The rest of the bench is in a box as we are getting ready to move starting today.