Molding spoon on a folder sheath

M

mt_hangglider

Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
312
Picked up a molding spoon from King tools yesterday and started playing around with a folder sheath last night. I have to say this thing is awesome and wish I'd picked one up a long time ago! Anyway, figured I'd share a quick WIP photo of it all dry this morning. Unfortunately I had to go to work or I'd be doing the backside as we speak. This was my first try at high definition wet molding and I have to say it's something I really want to continue working on and get good at. I'm only into the leather hobby 6 months now and have to remind myself to walk before I run.

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Oh yeah, by the way, still been working on holsters too. It's been a while since I shared any so here's a couple obligatory shots of the latest. Hoping to get my Cobra Class 4 by the end of the year. I can start to sell a few pieces here and there with the time it'll save me.

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Thanks as always for looking!
 
You should have no problem at all selling your work. Your "problem" will be making enough of it to keep the customers happy.

Paul
 
sheathmaker said:
You should have no problem at all selling your work. Your "problem" will be making enough of it to keep the customers happy.

Paul
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Thanks Paul, yeah I've already had a few people get really miffed that I wasn't taking orders when I posted a couple of these on the 1911 forum. With a very full time job and hand stitching, there just isn't enough time in the day. All I'd be doing is working if I took on leather orders. Hopefully one of these days, I can make a transition out of the corporate world and into the artisan world as far as a job goes. In the meantime, I'm enjoying being able to make accessories for myself, friends and family. I can see where this could grow into a full time business eventually.
 
seriously hangglider, only 6 month into this hobby and you are already producing work that is so far out there... my hat is off to you sir!
 
First time I have seen your work, you would make a small fortune in the holster business.
 
Chad... maybe don't take orders. Make what you want and then sell it. That solves a couple of your problems that we've talked about in emails. You know for sure then what it will fit. Ya inspired me I cut out three 1911 holsters yesterday to take to the show.
 
vilePossum said:
seriously hangglider, only 6 month into this hobby and you are already producing work that is so far out there... my hat is off to you sir!
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Thank you sir, much appreciated! I was thinking it had been longer than that but went back and looked at the timestamp on a photo of my first piece the other day and it was right around six months ago. Truly love working with leather and it brings me a lot of joy. I'm very blessed to have inherited an artistic side from my father who makes his living as a bronze sculptor. Excited to see what the future holds!

Skystorm said:
First time I have seen your work, you would make a small fortune in the holster business.
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Thank you! The interest is definitely there every time these have been posted on the 1911 forum. Even had a few get mad I wasn't selling them :D. Hopefully soon.

Horsewright said:
Chad... maybe don't take orders. Make what you want and then sell it. That solves a couple of your problems that we've talked about in emails. You know for sure then what it will fit. Ya inspired me I cut out three 1911 holsters yesterday to take to the show.
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Thanks Dave, always greatly appreciate talking with you and your advice on things! You have very good insight and I appreciate you taking the time and thought to help me out. I think that would be a great place to start. Get a generic 1911 blue gun and mold with that then post holsters for sale when I feel like it and have time. That way, there's no pressure so long as a person accurately represents what they're selling with good photos. If someone wants it right away, great, if not, one will eventually come along who will. Glad I could do that! Let me know how that show turns out, sounds like a great place to sell leather of all kinds!
 
Focusing on just the 1911 can be extremely profitable, but there are so many variations in slide measurements, barrel configurations, and even trigger guards it can result in a lot of guesstimation. My Les Baer is significantly different dimension-ally than a Springfield blue gun or standard Colt 5" in multiple locations. Extended controls, ambi safety's, and extra high/adjustable sights can all cause problems that are pretty easy to overlook. You'll see makers like the one and only Red Nichols incorporate a retention screw into a lot of his very expensive offerings because of the amount of variation piece to piece.

I probably take in between $6-10k a year in selling of 'in stock' inventory in holsters, belts, and accessories and this is a night/weekend gig. You'll figure out what is popular pretty quick and make two instead of one when you get orders. The really hard thing with work like you do is making money because of how custom, thus time consuming, it can really be. Don't sell yourself short or cheap! It is very easy to hop on the favorite forum classifieds and list a 'holster sale' every couple months to make some money. I try and have my popular items in multiple colors plus compatible accessories and belts to up the revenue per order. If I can be of any help don't be afraid to ask :D
 
Eaglestroker said:
Focusing on just the 1911 can be extremely profitable, but there are so many variations in slide measurements, barrel configurations, and even trigger guards it can result in a lot of guesstimation. My Les Baer is significantly different dimension-ally than a Springfield blue gun or standard Colt 5" in multiple locations. Extended controls, ambi safety's, and extra high/adjustable sights can all cause problems that are pretty easy to overlook. You'll see makers like the one and only Red Nichols incorporate a retention screw into a lot of his very expensive offerings because of the amount of variation piece to piece.

I probably take in between $6-10k a year in selling of 'in stock' inventory in holsters, belts, and accessories and this is a night/weekend gig. You'll figure out what is popular pretty quick and make two instead of one when you get orders. The really hard thing with work like you do is making money because of how custom, thus time consuming, it can really be. Don't sell yourself short or cheap! It is very easy to hop on the favorite forum classifieds and list a 'holster sale' every couple months to make some money. I try and have my popular items in multiple colors plus compatible accessories and belts to up the revenue per order. If I can be of any help don't be afraid to ask :D
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Thank you for the very well thought out reply! I know exactly what you mean with 1911 variations as I encountered this recently with my Dad's SIG. He has a C3 which is a 4" barrel 1911 on an officer frame just like my Wilsons. We tried sticking his pistol in one of the holsters that had been molded to my Wilson and it would not fit. Not even close. The retention screw idea is definitely a great one and something I will have to look into. It'll be an interesting venture when I start to do some selling. I definitely appreciate the suggestions and help I get from you guys and will definitely have more questions to ask in the future! In the meantime, I thought I'd share the conclusion to my first picture in this thread. Finished it up last night and am pretty pleased. Learned some things and will definitely be doing more detailed molding on upcoming pieces! Thanks again everyone!

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and the knife that goes in it: a 3" blade Doc Shiffer custom "Panda". Heck of a nice knife and a great guy to work with.

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mt_hangglider said:
Thank you for the very well thought out reply! I know exactly what you mean with 1911 variations as I encountered this recently with my Dad's SIG. He has a C3 which is a 4" barrel 1911 on an officer frame just like my Wilsons. We tried sticking his pistol in one of the holsters that had been molded to my Wilson and it would not fit. Not even close. The retention screw idea is definitely a great one and something I will have to look into. It'll be an interesting venture when I start to do some selling. I definitely appreciate the suggestions and help I get from you guys and will definitely have more questions to ask in the future! In the meantime, I thought I'd share the conclusion to my first picture in this thread. Finished it up last night and am pretty pleased. Learned some things and will definitely be doing more detailed molding on upcoming pieces! Thanks again everyone!
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Awesome knife and your sheath turned out great!

Regarding Sig 1911's you have 3 basic variations. Their standard slide profile which is quite a bit larger than a traditional profile, then their standard plus a rail which is very large, and then the 'classic' line which will fit in normal holsters. It pays to do homework on this before you have a paying customer because that is when the claws tend to come out!
 
Eaglestroker said:
Awesome knife and your sheath turned out great!

Regarding Sig 1911's you have 3 basic variations. Their standard slide profile which is quite a bit larger than a traditional profile, then their standard plus a rail which is very large, and then the 'classic' line which will fit in normal holsters. It pays to do homework on this before you have a paying customer because that is when the claws tend to come out!
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Thank you! Definitely, my Dad's Sig was a good lesson for me the other day. Made a holster from Cape Buffalo using my standard 1911 pattern. Went to wet mold it and it would not fit. It turned out OK since his Colt Commander fit it nicely but I realized I'm going to have to make a pattern especially for the Sig. Probably will try and start that this weekend. Good thing it wasn't a gator holster or for a paying customer :).
 
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