Whacha Been Up To......

[Horsewright]

Made a card wallet. I used W&C English Bridlle. The color is Carrot. I just purchased a square of it to try out. I really like not having to dye it myself as I get too much dye rub off.
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Thats some gorgeous leather rand work there! Don't know that I've seen carrot before. Use to buy sides of chestnut W&C bridle leather for belts seemed like always very nice leather.

 

[Horsewright]

Mr Horsewright Sir, what do you use for a finish on your leather?
I’ve been using lanolin with great results, but it darkens the leather a lot and I’d like to be able to keep that russet color on some things.

Thanks Gary for that link.

Bunker Hill I can give ya a little about finishing in the morning. Got up too late to do much today.

 

[eric brinkerhoff]

I decided to make a kydex belt loop on this one!

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

I decided to make a kydex belt loop on this one!
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That sheath looks really good, Eric! Nice job on the kydex as well.

 

[eric brinkerhoff]

Thank you,Sharp & Fiery!

 

[Lorien]

got this prototype squared away, next step is some testing!

 

[duramax]

I decided to make a kydex belt loop on this one!
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I really like this one !! Excellent job !!

 

[Horsewright]

I decided to make a kydex belt loop on this one!
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got this prototype squared away, next step is some testing!

Great work guys!!!

Mr Horsewright Sir, what do you use for a finish on your leather?
I’ve been using lanolin with great results, but it darkens the leather a lot and I’d like to be able to keep that russet color on some things.

I've been using Bag Kote for many years now as a finish. Prior to that I used Tan Kote but switched to the Bag Kote years ago. I felt like it was a more professional finish, less like to look plasticky and keeps your leather projects looking like leather. Lanolin is basically a conditioner not a finish and an excellent conditioner at that. Its one of the main ingredients in the two conditioners I recommend: Skidmore's and Oakwood..

I apply BagKote with an old tshirt stretched tight over a couple of fingers. It doesn't take much. Two very light coats at the most. I will always do two coats on an edge too even if I'm not using BagKote on the project. I don't use it on large projects such as a rifle scabbard. Hard not to get swirl marks when applying. On a large project I will use Oakwood. It drys with an application and because of the beeswax I assuming in it leaves a pretty nice buffed finish. Any smaller project I'm using BagKote. it keeps leather looking like leather:

 

[Joseph Bandeko]

I've been using Bag Kote for many years now as a finish. Prior to that I used Tan Kote but switched to the Bag Kote years ago. I felt like it was a more professional finish, less like to look plasticky and keeps your leather projects looking like leather. Lanolin is basically a conditioner not a finish and an excellent conditioner at that. Its one of the main ingredients in the two conditioners I recommend: Skidmore's and Oakwood..

I apply BagKote with an old tshirt stretched tight over a couple of fingers. It doesn't take much. Two very light coats at the most. I will always do two coats on an edge too even if I'm not using BagKote on the project. I don't use it on large projects such as a rifle scabbard. Hard not to get swirl marks when applying. On a large project I will use Oakwood. It drys with an application and because of the beeswax I assuming in it leaves a pretty nice buffed finish. Any smaller project I'm using BagKote. it keeps leather looking like leather:

First I’d like to thank you for your reply good sir!
Is bagkote going to provide an extra layer of protection that the lanolin won’t? And I can apply the bagkote over the lanolin, correct?
Thank you again!

 

[eric brinkerhoff]

A very good knife customer of mine whose father recently passed away wanted me to clean up some knives his father had made and make him a few sheaths. Here's the first one. That's his father's knife sticking out of it!

 

[Robber58]

I had some time on my hands so I decided to finally make a good holster for a 1911 target pistol I built many, many, many years ago. I have used a very simple one but the gun deserves more. I also decided I had not done any real tooling for years so, why not.
It is an Askins Avenger style (my personal favorite) with some simple oak leaves on the stiffener. I say simple but it has been so long since I have done any it did take some time. Here is the result:





There is definitely some room for improvement in my carving but my excuse is I am getting old and have probably forgotten more than I remember about it. I do think it looks good with the pistol though.

Randy

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

I had some time on my hands so I decided to finally make a good holster for a 1911 target pistol I built many, many, many years ago. I have used a very simple one but the gun deserves more. I also decided I had not done any real tooling for years so, why not.
It is an Askins Avenger style (my personal favorite) with some simple oak leaves on the stiffener. I say simple but it has been so long since I have done any it did take some time. Here is the result:





There is definitely some room for improvement in my carving but my excuse is I am getting old and have probably forgotten more than I remember about it. I do think it looks good with the pistol though.

Randy

That looks great!! I’d like to get into carving sometime. Not sure how good I’d be though.

 

[Horsewright]

First I’d like to thank you for your reply good sir!
Is bagkote going to provide an extra layer of protection that the lanolin won’t? And I can apply the bagkote over the lanolin, correct?
Thank you again!

Yes it will and you can apply over the lanolin. But then the lanolin will still be darkening the leather won't it? If you are trying to maintain that color I would suggest a real light coat of warm pure neatsfoot oil and then the BagKote after the oil has set.

 

[Horsewright]

A very good knife customer of mine whose father recently passed away wanted me to clean up some knives his father had made and make him a few sheaths. Here's the first one. TView attachment 1946857View attachment 1946858hat's his father's knife sticking out of it!

Good job! Are ya slicking your leather first prior to construction?

I had some time on my hands so I decided to finally make a good holster for a 1911 target pistol I built many, many, many years ago. I have used a very simple one but the gun deserves more. I also decided I had not done any real tooling for years so, why not.
It is an Askins Avenger style (my personal favorite) with some simple oak leaves on the stiffener. I say simple but it has been so long since I have done any it did take some time. Here is the result:





There is definitely some room for improvement in my carving but my excuse is I am getting old and have probably forgotten more than I remember about it. I do think it looks good with the pistol though.

Randy

Great job my firend. Ya know in all my years of hauling around a pistola I've never tried an Askins type holster. Looking good on the holster and nice 1911 too!

 

[Robber58]

That looks great!! I’d like to get into carving sometime. Not sure how good I’d be though.

Thanks partner! I appreciate the support.
Give it a try. It is not as hard as you might think to get into carving but, like any new skill, there is a learning curve. Just start simple and add complexity as you build confidence. I definitely do not recommend starting with some complex figure or scene. It will cause a lot of frustration and take some years off your life.

Good job! Are ya slicking your leather first prior to construction?


Great job my firend. Ya know in all my years of hauling around a pistola I've never tried an Askins type holster. Looking good on the holster and nice 1911 too!

Thanks Dave! Your work inspired me to have another go at it after so many years of abstinence.
I like the Askins design because it is just more comfortable for my body during extended wear. Much like your pancakes, it also offers great retention as long as you approach the molding correctly.

 

[000Robert]

That looks great!! I’d like to get into carving sometime. Not sure how good I’d be though.

You'll do fine. Just watch some YT videos and practice on some scrap leather pieces.

 

[Texoma]

Robber58 that holster looks great and I can't believe it I just made a holster for my friend's custom colt 1911
I work on leather as a hobby to keep me busy never sold an item and this is only the 2nd holster I ever made
Drawing the pattern and making the holster was a challenge for me and my friend wanted his brand on it, liner and the barrel sticking out and I went from there
I will admit with all the good craftsman on this thread I'm hesitant to post a pic but will later I'm running late for a doctor appointment

 

[Horsewright]

Some recents:

Twelve Horseshoe Coasters with brand.

With matching notebook cover:

A pair of water buffalo chinks with turquoise double fringe and highlights heading to Ohio:

Oak carved yokes with a brand:

This order included an oak carved belt:

An order that finally made its way to Norway. The duffel bag was hung up in US Customs for months. Thought it was stolen as they denied having it even though thats what the tracking showed. Weeks later showed up back at out local post office. We were in the process of making a new duffel for the customer and had added in the sheath and the IWB holster for his bother.

This one was shipping a couple of hours to the west of us:

This leather has been the favorite so far that Nichole has used. However, its gone, she can't get anymore:

Made this Loop Holster for a local guy. He's actually the grandfather of one of my cowboys:

This old Colt was taken in trade for a horse by his great, great grandfather. It was made in 1877. He said as a young boy he would clean it about once a week for his great grandmother who was in possession of it at the time.

 

[Texoma]

Here's a couple pics

 

[Robber58]

Here's a couple pics

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Well partner, if that is only your second holster, you are ready for the big leagues. That is truly outstanding work for someone that has limited experience. Well done!
Randy