Posted on

On the bench…

Working on a half-dozen or so for inventory. I thought I’d shoot a few progress photos for the blog and give you some idea of the process, and the steps involved in making a 1911 holster. These will all be natural, with no stamping or carving, white stitching, outside-the-waistband, high-ride, pancake-style, detailed molded, etc. These are my favorite to build, so that’s the reason you see so many of them.

The photo above shows a couple of my favorite tools–they’re both stitch grooves for cutting stitch lines before sewing. The general purpose is to recess the thread into a channel to minimize wear on the thread. I’m a clean-stitching freak, so anything I can do to make my stitch lines as neat as I can I’m in for. The tool at the top of the photo is one made by Bob Douglas up in Wyoming. The other is made by Jeremiah Watt. You can reach Jeremiah at www.Ranch2Arena.com and order one if you’re in the market. Jeremiah calls it a Gum Tool, and you can find it on his website at this link: https://www.ranch2arena.com/collections/horse-shoe-brand-tools/products/67-5200-gum-tool?variant=20123771011185 I don’t get a commission/reward for recommending the Watt/Horseshoe products–I just like to brag occasionally about the stuff I use and like. These come in two sizes–the #1, and the #2. For little stuff, like holsters, I only use the #1.

That’s about all I have for today–we rockin’ along and staying about as busy as we want to be. Thankful for great customers, and a fun job. Be sure to head over to our other website at www.GibsonLeather.com to check out the holsters we have in stock. We’ll be listing them here as time permits, but for now, they’re all over there.

Questions and comments are always welcome, so feel free!

From what’s left of America …

Posted on

Believe half of what you see…

…and none of what you hear. That was attributed to Ben Franklin, but you can’t believe it because of all of the above. It’s also been attributed to Edgar Allan Poe. I still think it’s good advice, considering the quandary we all find ourselves in. The less I see and hear, the smaller the shovel I need to keep handy.

Knip Knife, Terry Knipschield, custom, French, leather knife, round knife, head knife,
French style round knife from Terry Knipschield in Rochester, Minnesota.

My newest round knife, aka head knife, etc., is the one above from Terry Knipschield up in Minnesota. Terry hasn’t been accepting orders for the last several months (to my knowledge) as he’s been rebuilding his knife shop. When he does get back to building knives again, I highly recommend them. I got this one almost a year ago, and finally decided to show it off.

That’s about all I have for today. It looks like we’ve got about fourteen days left in 2020, and we can kick this pig in the ass and send it on its way.

Just in case I get lazier and don’t do another blog post this month, thank you for reading. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and God Bless you and yours.

From what’s left of America …

Posted on

Don Gonzales and DG Saddlery

Every Monday morning, or as close to it as possible (after the coffee’s done) Don Gonzales of Don Gonzales Saddlery over in Moulton, Texas, shoots a short video of what he’s got going on in his shop. He’s been doing it for a few months now on his YouTube channel, and it’s gotten to be a regular “must watch” around here. Fact is, it’s a goldmine for those of us that spend a lot of time fooling with and fighting with leather in our own shops. It’s a nice break, and an opportunity to see how the other half lives.

He also offers a lot of tips, tricks and tutorials on both his website and his YouTube Channel. The website is HERE, and his YouTube Channel is HERE.

The real “gold,” in my view, is in the form of tutorial videos on his YouTube Channel. An added plus is that he’s got a video for each of the pattern packs that he offers on his website, and the videos are free.

If you’re looking for leatherworking resources, this is one I’d highly recommend.