Made some leather stuff for my Blackhawk..what ya think?

[Matabele]

Hi all,

Just thought I would post a couple of pics of the holster and cartridge slide I made for my .44 Super Blackhawk. Its made from veg tan leather, the finish is a really nice and deep soft gloss...going to have to cover it when out hunting but I think it looks quite nice up close. The back is lined with pig skin and its adjustable for height of carry etc. The belt is made from Elephant skin, made that myself too.

I got the pattern idea from Ringler Leather, really nicely designed holster in my opinion (http://www.ringlercustomleather.com/catalog/i2.html)

Let me know what you think, good or bad.

 

[don44]

Very nice. :)

 

[chris_]

That'll do alright. Very nice.

 

[Pal Val]

Proof to the saying: "If you want it done right, do it yourself."

Fine job!

 

[gunman42782]

Looks great!

 

[roylt]

That looks like junk. You should throw that out. (Just be sure you tell me where so I can come and dumpster dive. HAHA)

 

[jimbo1096]

You did a fine job, looks custom professional to me.
Would be happy to be able to do that myself, but I'm all thumbs and trigger fingers.

 

[PackinPreacher]

Nice job. :wink:

 

[Bountyhunter]

You done did good! :D

 

[yogiboobooranger]

Great Job, you have the knack!!

 

[Tradhunter]

Really nice job!

 

[mran1126]

Very nice. I do some leather work too. I realize how much planning that design must have taken. Very good work.

 

[deserttrans]

Very nice indeed.....

 

[Matabele]

TThanks for the responses guys, yep this style of holster is really great, Im loving it! Thanks again.

 

[pistolero.41]

That looks very professional, would love to get something like that for my handguns.....nice wrok.

 

[Larry from Bend]

You did such a nice job. Could I ask about your sewing set-up? I make sheaths for knives and axes (just for myself) and I hand stitch with a sewing awl, which doesn't look very professional. I imagine any kind of machine capable of leather stitching is quite an investment?

 

[steve b]

The varmints are in trouble now ! Very nice. steve b

 

[Matabele]

Thanks for the comments, it sure is a lot of fun tinkering with leather!

Larry, all the stitching on the holster and cartridge slide was done by hand, using a 4 prong straight line punching tool and a single punching tool for going round tight corners. It does take a lot of time to punch all those holes before stitching, but I think it came out ok. You can still use your awl, but try using a set of dividers to mark the hole spacing before piercing with the awl. It will take a lot of time for sure but will be consistent. Also use your dividers and run one point along the edge of the leather and the other point dragging on the top of the leather, this will give you a mark a consistent distance from the leather edge.

The elephant belt was done on a sewing machine, I had invested in a few machines when I thought I might start a small business but it never took off. I got 2 heavy duty sewing machines, a skiving machine for trimming leather, a strap cutter for cutting multiple belts and a setting tool for $2000, all second hand. So If you look around Im sure you could find a decent sewing machine for a reasonable amount. Im not 100% sure but I think Weaver leather deal in 2nd machines, maybe give them a try. But for 90% of DIY leather stuff hand stitching is great (more authentic for sure), its just the spacing that takes time.

 

[Larry from Bend]

Thanks for the comments, it sure is a lot of fun tinkering with leather!

Larry, all the stitching on the holster and cartridge slide was done by hand, using a 4 prong straight line punching tool and a single punching tool for going round tight corners. It does take a lot of time to punch all those holes before stitching, but I think it came out ok. You can still use your awl, but try using a set of dividers to mark the hole spacing before piercing with the awl. It will take a lot of time for sure but will be consistent. Also use your dividers and run one point along the edge of the leather and the other point dragging on the top of the leather, this will give you a mark a consistent distance from the leather edge.

The elephant belt was done on a sewing machine, I had invested in a few machines when I thought I might start a small business but it never took off. I got 2 heavy duty sewing machines, a skiving machine for trimming leather, a strap cutter for cutting multiple belts and a setting tool for $2000, all second hand. So If you look around Im sure you could find a decent sewing machine for a reasonable amount. Im not 100% sure but I think Weaver leather deal in 2nd machines, maybe give them a try. But for 90% of DIY leather stuff hand stitching is great (more authentic for sure), its just the spacing that takes time.

Thanks for answering -- I DO understand your instructions and I'll look for the straight line punching tools (I understand that they would keep the stitches more even) but I don't think my best will be anything like YOUR work. I'm AMAZED you did that by hand. You are a patient (& Talented) man. :D

Do you have a favorite place to buy leather? We used have a Tandy store --- but no more. WHOOPS --- I see from another post that you live in Africa.