More leather work....

Took some time this afternoon to take pics of my latest work. My first serious project was the knife sheath, then t he Slim Jim crossdraw for the 3rd Model Dragoon. I've since done a few more projects and here are some of them.

Left to right, the newest holster, this time for a Remington 1858 and border stamped. The Dragoon in the center and another for the Colt 1860 with metal spots and an antique pewter concho. To the right is the knife sheath, done back in the fall. The belt is the latest project, which has stamping, spots and conchos. All are far from perfect but I do think each finished work is better than the last.

 

I've got more up my sleeve. Received five new pattern packs from Will Ghormley, along with several new stamps from Barry King. I'm also really itching to do a beaded knife sheath.

 

[Ole Frog]

Very nice Craig! :thumbsup:

 

[LaBonte]

VERY nicely done Craig and I really like the colors you're getting especially on the Rem M63 (the 1858 appellation while widely used is incorrect FWIW) and Colt M1860 holsters.
If you ever want more of those conchos like the one on the M1860 they're available from Buffalo Brothers - don't remember the model and it comes in 2 or 3 sizes.

As for a beaded sheath - when you get there and if you would like some advice or whatever drop me a line here via a PM or via email.

 

[50cal.cliff]

Nice leather work! :thumbsup:

 

[sean138]

Amazing work!
Sean

 

[hawkeye2]

Very well done! If they are far from perfect how about some circles and arrows on the photos so we can see the mistakes too. :grin:

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

Those are really nice holsters :thumbsup: I like the colors you have for all of them. What types of dye and colors did you use?

 

Thanks everybody for the kind words, it's very encouraging.

I really got the hots for a reddish medium brown from looking at some stuff I saw from Rick Gittlein and hit up Rob Leahy of Simply Rugged for his recipe. For two of the three holsters and the belt, I used water-based EcoFlo of about 50/50 Range Tan and Dark Mahogany. You see how the different hides took the dye differently. The one with the concho is their dark brown gel antique and I'm not really satisfied with it.

Chuck, I actually got the conchos from Buffalo Bros. Just ordered one each of several different styles to see what I liked. I do like that one and need to order a bunch more. I like them much better than the shiny stuff you usually see.

I almost did a beaded cuff on that knife sheath but as it was coming together, I decided that it would be too much work for a sheath I wasn't satisfied with. Not to mention that it's made from scrap chrome-tanned leather that I hit with some dye and refinished. I have Kozlov's book and it is a great reference. I've just about decided that I like the pre-1850 beadwork much better than the later stuff. I definitely don't like full coverage but I do appreciate what it takes to make it look right. So I'm gonna fart around with the Czech beads I've picked up from various places. Or I might decide to just order a bunch of 8/0's from Crazy Crow.

Thank you very much for the kind offer. I'll hit you up for some help very shortly. I hope you know how much we all appreciate your help in these endeavors. :hatsoff:

 

[wattlebuster]

Very sharp. I like em all :thumbsup: :hatsoff:

 

[Bretwalda]

Very pleasing to the eye!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[MSW]

wow- great looking work!

 

Thanks again!

 

[mtcurman]

Those look great! Excellent work! :thumbsup:

 

[SpottedBull]

Very nice work there! I am about to take on some holster/belt combinations and give that facet of leatherworking a try.

I like to use Feibing's Russet dye to get a brownish red color.

 

[crockett]

CraigC- I always have trouble with the belt loop on back and all the historical research I've done just shows the front. If possible, could you post an photo of the back to show how you do the belt loops?
On the edges, do you use a belt sander to even them up? The edges always give me trouble.
BTW Super nice job you did.

 

Thanks! Here's a shot of the backside of the first one. It is basically just a copy of the belt loop of an el cheapo Oklahoma Slim Jim. I mounted it a little high thinking it might help with the Dragoon's weight.

I did break down and get a bench sander for doing the edges. It makes them look so much nicer and much easier to get it even than with the Dremel on the longer parts of the edge.

 

[crockett]

How does the holster ride on the belt? Looks sort of top heavy. That's my problem every time I try to make a slim jim type holster, how do I get the belt loop correct.
I used to use gum tracath(something) on the edges. Then someone said just spit on the leather and burnish. Recently I read that saddle soap works well on an edge and takes dye better. The belt sander seems the only way (without a lot of work) to get a good edge.
Once again- top rate work, thanks for the photos.

 

It's a little top heavy but it carries okay. I carried it all last season and it did fine. If I did another, I'd probably lower it.

I had read in Backwoodsman that you can use egg whites to burnish the edges but it didn't work as well as gum trag. I usually dye the outside, insert the sixgun (wrapped in a ziplock bag) and let it dry. Then I rub it down real good before I treat the whole thing with gum trag, burnishing the edges last. After it dries I rub it down again and then finish with BagCote.

 

[AWsaddles]

Excellent work! Where I work we are allowed to open carry. Most carry the latest and greatest semi autos but I like to carry a S.A.A. or an 1851 conversion and I prefer the slim Jim to all others I have carried. One method I have used to burnish my edges on holsters is a mix of parifin and bees wax. If I want color I can mix in a little black or brown shoe polish paste when making it. I melt it all together and mix it well then pour it into molds. It dries hard and is easy to apply. Just rubb it on and then burnish it in. It is very water resistant. The more friction you use the deeper it penetrates and smoother the finish.