Wet-forming a holster
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- Ysabel Kid
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Wet-forming a holster
The first holster I ever wet-formed to the gun's shape I did for a Walker reproduction when I was back in college. I had read an article on doing so in a book from Sam Falada. It worked well. Almost 40 years later, and I did it again for a pair of holsters, again for Walker reproductions, ala "The Outlaw Josey Wales". What fun!
Anyway, when I ordered those holsters I ordered a third, hoping it would fit my Pietta "LeMat" clone. I had been searching high and low for a holster for that revolver, but the only ones I saw were darn expensive. I don't mind paying for a good holster, but why not give wet-forming a try?
Here is the result:
Now, the belt comes from Skillet Creek. You can find his stuff on Etsy and I have several of his holsters and belts - all top quality. I asked and he doesn't make a holster for the LeMat.
So, since doing the three, starting at the beginning of summer, I have done several more. Might as well make sure my holsters fit like a glove!
Anyway, when I ordered those holsters I ordered a third, hoping it would fit my Pietta "LeMat" clone. I had been searching high and low for a holster for that revolver, but the only ones I saw were darn expensive. I don't mind paying for a good holster, but why not give wet-forming a try?
Here is the result:
Now, the belt comes from Skillet Creek. You can find his stuff on Etsy and I have several of his holsters and belts - all top quality. I asked and he doesn't make a holster for the LeMat.
So, since doing the three, starting at the beginning of summer, I have done several more. Might as well make sure my holsters fit like a glove!
Re: Wet-forming a holster
that looks very good. and it sounds like a barrel of fun to load and fire the revolver too.
- gamekeeper
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Re: Wet-forming a holster
Wow Jay, that looks awesome I can't remember ever seeing a close up picture of a holstered LeMat before, great job....
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- Scott Tschirhart
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Re: Wet-forming a holster
Very nicely done!!!!
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- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: Wet-forming a holster
Nice, Jay! Are you just using your hands/fingers to "bone" the wet leather? I have used my hands, but also a piece of slick deer antler, although it has been a while.
- Ysabel Kid
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Re: Wet-forming a holster
Hi Bill. Just my hands. I had an old toothbrush handy, as I used that (the handle end) back 30+ years ago. But I didn't need it.Bill in Oregon wrote: ↑Fri Sep 08, 2023 7:57 am Nice, Jay! Are you just using your hands/fingers to "bone" the wet leather? I have used my hands, but also a piece of slick deer antler, although it has been a while.
Re: Wet-forming a holster
Nice job!
A friend that was a ceramic sculpture artist used to use blocks of clay to wet form fit his holsters and hold them tight while they dried, it worked pretty well.
A friend that was a ceramic sculpture artist used to use blocks of clay to wet form fit his holsters and hold them tight while they dried, it worked pretty well.
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt-
Isnt it amazing how many people post without reading the thread?
Isnt it amazing how many people post without reading the thread?
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- Senior Levergunner
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Re: Wet-forming a holster
What about vacuum packing the wet leather?
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Jeff Cooper
Jeff Cooper
- Ysabel Kid
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Re: Wet-forming a holster
I've seen that done on the internet, and looks like it works well. I just decided to use my hands to shape it while sitting in the recliner watching TV with my wife. Worked well too!
Re: Wet-forming a holster
However ya did it, it looks great.
-Stretch
-Stretch
- Rube Burrows
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Re: Wet-forming a holster
I make a lot of holsters. You done a good job on picking out that holster and wet forming it. Looks like it was made for it. One of these days I need to grab myself a Lemat.
- Ysabel Kid
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