Holster for .25 automatic

Today, I decided to make a flap-holster for the Raven .25 ACP.  Normally, a "pocket" pistol, but, I'd prefer a clip-on holster sometimes.

Still got to dye the inside of the flap..doh!
Anyway, fits nice and snug, and still is small enough to stuff it in a pocket, when not wearing a belt.
My reason behind the flap, is for retention, even if in a pocket. Previously I was carrying this back-up gun in an Uncle Mike's ballistic nylon "pocket holster".

Problem was, the little thing had no form of retention at all, and when in the pocket, this pistol would keep sliding out during walking, bending, etc. So, the Unlce Mike's was rather pointless, really...and, it wasnt leather!

Now, on a side note/rant. One thing this pistol always reminds me of- is why I love my Taurus 845 in , of course, .45 auto.

Taurus managed to figure out how to cram a whopping  12 shots of full-power  .45 auto (the great, old 1911 holds 8 shots) , into a grip/frame only 2/8 th's of an inch wider than ...... a tiny, little Raven .25 auto..

Top, is the .25, bottom is the .45 , not a huge difference in grip-width- which makes a big difference for folks with short, stubby hands like me lol. Comparable large-capacity .45 autos from Glock, Sig, FN, and H&K, are much wider/thicker- like trying to hold onto a brick....

So, in a space barely larger than a single-stack .25 auto, I get to pack a double-stack .45... nice

Gator sheath and wallet

My projects for the last day or so..

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Sheath is about 99% done- will make a retention strap/snap for the handle area tomorrow, ran out of time for today..

Ostrich Wallet

Made most of a wallet today, with the dark Ostrich hide

Just need to dye, then stitch in the interior, and it's all done!

Shoe prototype complete

Finally! Finished the prototype- very very labor-intensive bit of work, this is... But- I now have the basic size/shapes figured out. All but the final tightening/stitching of the top edge of where the heel meets the upper- to either side of the "tongue".
Apart from that, fits very well, and comfy- for just being such a crude, rough proto.

Now, I can begin the actual leather cuts for the 2 main parts- allowing a little more (roughly 1/4") room all the way around each (to allow for socks to fit in, lol.) ,and begin cutting the heavy leather for the sole stacks.

 I'll also work out some of the additional detail bits (padding around the opening edge and tongue-and specific shaping of the cuts, etc. ) Then, I'll dye the upper/vamp and heel and may be about ready to stitch up the actual shoes some time next week.

Shoes? a prototype sneak-peek

Got the crazy idea in me head to try my hand at making a pair of all-leather shoes- from scratch...
I kept seeing a few pairs of various makes/brands that I really liked, but in looking at them- I thought "these look very simple, maybe I could make them myself?" So I'm giving it a shot.

This is a very, very rough prototype, thus far. Figuring it out as I go, and the stitching is all crazy because I'm still figuring out how to size/shape it for my own oddball feet.

Will be working on the rear/heel piece today. But they will be a pair of slip-on types. Once I get this prototype sorted out, I'll use the sized bits as templates to make a more proper pair, and incorporate what I've learned (the hard way, of course) from this.
But, it's taking shape as it goes, and even just this slipper of a prototype is comfy as hell. Walked around in it most of the evening yesterday to test it out and break it in. Nice...
Soles will be stacked 8-9oz. cowhide, the upper/vamp/heel will be 5 oz. cowhide.
The stitching on the actual shoe, when made, will be double-and triple-stitched. I've already identified a couple of stress/load-bearing points on this proto, that need re-enforcing.

Ostrich Hides

Picked up a couple of nice Ostrich hides yesterday.
So, thought I'd try making a small knife sheath with some of it.

The "core" of the sheath will still be 5oz. cowhide- the Ostrich will be wrapped around, and stitched-to,  the outside of the main part of the sheath, below the belt loop.

may need to pick up some more, and try making a pair of dressy shoes, eh?

Damascus/Ebony Knife and Sheath

Just about there- all that's left is the final handle work, and trim up the edges of the sheath. 

Damascus/Ebony knife and sheath

A bit closer to finishing the knife, and it's sheath.

Mounting the Ebony handles-

while the epoxy for that dries, I resume work on the sheath, which I started on the other day:

And with the 1st handle dried, I mount the other one..

and, back to a mock-up stitching of the sheath to check the fit

and, now the handles are dried and mounted...

some final sanding/buffing of the handles, and the knife will be completed- tomorrow,  I'll work on that, dye the sheath, and hopefully finish shaping and stitching that as well.