A left hand holster

[BrokenolMarine]

for my daughter.

When I first cut out the holster for my December Gunbelt... I cut the dang thing out on the wrong side of the leather and I would have ended up with a rough side out holster... or a left handed holster, so I set aside that piece and recut the darn thing. I came back to the piece earlier this week and started on a left hand holster for my daughter's Frontier Single Action .22. Meh, practice makes perfect. I haven't mentioned it to her, and if it doesn't turn out, I'll toss it and just make her the pants belt I promised... without an accompanying holster. So far I have tooled the border and some roses...

03 leaves and background.jpg (456.58 KiB) Viewed 3342 times

I stamped her initials into the space between the roses, but don't like the balance. I'll probably background over them. Haven't decided for sure yet. I can always stamp them on a disc and add it... or put a concho there. I have some bejeweled ones.

[daytime dave]

I think it flows, but that's just me.

[Mags]

for my daughter.

When I first cut out the holster for my December Gunbelt... I cut the dang thing out on the wrong side of the leather and I would have ended up with a rough side out holster... or a left handed holster, so I set aside that piece and recut the darn thing. I came back to the piece earlier this week and started on a left hand holster for my daughter's Frontier Single Action .22. Meh, practice makes perfect. I haven't mentioned it to her, and if it doesn't turn out, I'll toss it and just make her the pants belt I promised... without an accompanying holster. So far I have tooled the border and some roses...


03 leaves and background.jpg


I stamped her initials into the space between the roses, but don't like the balance. I'll probably background over them. Haven't decided for sure yet. I can always stamp them on a disc and add it... or put a concho there. I have some bejeweled ones.

That's going to be a beauty.

[BrokenolMarine]

Miss Tina agrees, so I'll leave it as is. I will be back out in the shop as soon as the replacement space heater comes in. I heat the main shop space with the mini split, set at 68 degrees, but in Winter, I use a space heater to heat the bench areas to a bit warmer dut to the arthritis in my hands, shoulders, knees.. um... joints. That died a couple days ago...

Ordered a replacement and it's due in over the next couple days.
Can't wait, anxious to get back to work.

[fortyshooter]

BM you cut that holster out just the way I would have done it....me being a Lefty too! When finished it will look great I'm sure!

[BrokenolMarine]

Over the last few days, or ... week... I have put some time in the holster. Weather has kept me from working EVERY day. After the initial work seen above, I stepped up and did a test fit with my Ruger Wrangler, it's about the same size as the daughter's Single Action .22.

05 test fit.jpg (458.56 KiB) Viewed 3222 times

I oiled the leather to give it some color, with Golden Oak Watco, but didn't get the color I was looking for. Left it to dry overnight...

06 oiled.jpg (479.24 KiB) Viewed 3222 times

So I dyed the holster with a yellow dye looking for a golden color. It was golden when I dyed it, but dried BRIGHT yellow. Miss T nearly barfed.

07 yellow dye.jpg (448.45 KiB) Viewed 3222 times

To be honest, I wasn't thrilled, but "Ruined it" wasn't my opinion, I was FAR from done. I went over the holster with LT Brown Dye, two coats, then let it dry. Then antiqued it.

08 antiqued and brown dye.jpg (417.5 KiB) Viewed 3222 times

I was still not thrilled, but it was looking better. Yesterday and today I worked a bit more. I re-antiqued with a dark brown antique rather than the light brown, and worked the back panel with the antique to give it some texture. Then edge coated the holster and belt loop and burnished the edges. About ready to start the assembly.

09 edge coat and burnished.jpg (501.61 KiB) Viewed 3222 times

The next time I try this rose pattern, I will REDO the transparency and do a better job on the transfer. I am NOT happy with the tooling, but Tina likes it. I'll try and do better in the future on the roses carvings ... But, it's looking a lot better. Still a ways to go before it's ready to accept the gun. Then I'll start on the belt.

[BrokenolMarine]

I watched several videos on shading and tooling floral patterns, I'll practice on scrap leather and SEE if there will be a next time.

[Mags]

The dark brown is much better. I also think the tooling has great character.

[BrokenolMarine]

Thanks. The transfer is done by placing the transparency over the dampened (cased) leather and following the lines with a stylus. This leaves the grooves l cut in with my swivel knife. It's a challenge for me. My hands have had a hard life. I guess more practice would help as well.

[Mags]

... It's a challenge for me. My hands have had a hard life. ...

That is what gives it that special personal endearing character.