Finished my first holster HK P7

[gigag04]

After a few critical design flaws, I finished my first holster. Hand cut, dyed, and stitched. I haven't put the finishing sealer and shining agent on yet because I wanted to make sure I would actually use the holster. Some pics of me wearing it are attached. I'll post some front and back details once I get it sealed and shined. Conceals OWB even in shorts and a t-shirt:

[karder]

Great job. That looks really nice. I never thought of that, but making holsters would be a pretty cool hobby. I'd probably sew my fingers together though!

[RollTide In Texas]

Looks great!

Did you design it after any particular holster, or is it your own design?

[gigag04]

I looked at an HF-1 and some basic videos from Particle on YouTube. If only I could sit under RiverRat for a weekend...

[A-R]

That looks really good.

How's the gun shoot?

[RoyGBiv]

Really nice job..
Looking forward to seeing some high-res photos when you're finished...

I wish I was this "crafty"

[WildBill]

Really nice job..
Looking forward to seeing some high-res photos when you're finished...

I wish I was this "crafty"

Some good polish and buffing you will have a professional looking holster.

[wacc]

I recognize that gun! I hope you are enjoying it....Good job on the holster.

[cougartex]

Great job.

[gigag04]

Really nice job..
Looking forward to seeing some high-res photos when you're finished...

I wish I was this "crafty"

Some good polish and buffing you will have a professional looking holster.

I agree. I'm thinking about picking up an entry level airbrush from harbor freight to spray the resolene.

I just got some snaps and brown dye in. I want to make a two tone holster in the form of a side snap scabbard, and a VMII copy. If only I could find the time to knock it out.

Thanks for the kind words guys. Now if only I could make $35/hr doing it, I could work less ODJs.

[WildBill]

Really nice job..
Looking forward to seeing some high-res photos when you're finished...

I wish I was this "crafty"

Some good polish and buffing you will have a professional looking holster.

I agree. I'm thinking about picking up an entry level airbrush from harbor freight to spray the resolene.

I just got some snaps and brown dye in. I want to make a two tone holster in the form of a side snap scabbard, and a VMII copy. If only I could find the time to knock it out.

Thanks for the kind words guys. Now if only I could make $35/hr doing it, I could work less ODJs.

How many hours have you got in this holster so far? If you were closer I would commission a holster for my Sphinx.

[gigag04]

Actual work - probably 2 hrs. I don't like to rush through it though, and it is more of like a hobby to practice at - I let the dye setup over night, which takes time, and I glue before I sew, and let the cement setup over night. I still need to work on my edges and stitching before I would feel comfortable selling one. Soon though.

At some point, I wouldn't mind being the "go-to" person for things that I could never find in major holster makers. A leather IWB and OWB holsters for a gun with a light. Holster, mag, and iphone/blackberry pouch that all match. I have a good buddy of mine that works for Nordstrom's and is fairly fashion forward. I always have a good time shopping with him, and we have discussed putting together some nice bags, shave kits, and wallets. I like the idea of having a "fashionable" holster that matches other important accessories for a well dressed man, like belt, shoes, watch.

That said, much of that is yet to be realized....I'm still trying to make smooth, even edges, and even stitching.

[Marksman1911]

That is some good looking work there. I've made a few holsters myself. I made a custom IWB for a USP Compact with attached light/laser combo and a few others. My holsters are not, lets say "barbecue ready", by design (a knockoff design at that), but they work very well.

Gigag04, can I ask what products you use on your leather? What dyes, sealers and shining agents do you use? Do you use any chemical hardeners or do you use a certain technique? Do you do any riveting or is it all stitched?

I've tried hot water soaking, and literally cooked one piece. It looks 'different' but might not hold up to usage. I've heard that sealers also work as hardeners. I'm still pretty new at this but it's nice to combine hobbies.

[gigag04]

Man I know about little to nothing tbh. I use fiebings dyes. I have fiebings or Eco brand Resolene (the seal an shining agent). That is what I'm going to airbrush when I get one. I don't rivet - not opposed to it just haven't. I just got in some snaps to set on an iwb holster I'm making. I got the tools to set them, but I really want a lever activated setter. I also want a click press and Tippman stitching machine but that's big money. Right now I'm gluing, and then stitching.

To wetform I submerge the holster for a few seconds, maybe 10, in room temp water. I wipe it off and get to work. Boiling the holster dries it out - think about boiling human flesh - it's not all that different. I have no experience with any hardeners.

[Marksman1911]

Hey thanks for the info. That's more than I knew and just what I was looking for, and I found it on the Tandy Leather web site too.

Thanks