One of the gun magazines used to have an ad that said, "don't you buy no ugly gun". I don't remember which manufacturer it was, but they were referring to the modern all black, plastic and steel pistols of the day. Being a fan of something a little more classy, I could relate. The last three pistols I bought came in those horrid "Uncle Mikes" cordura contraptions they call holsters. Why would anyone spend nearly a thousand dollars on a gun and stick it in a $5 holster? A pretty nice belt holster came with the Ruger Blackhawk but I have learned that my hips have shrunk (or my waist expanded) and belt holsters with a heavy pistol tend to work their way south. The best solution is a shoulder holster. BUT I didn't want to put an old-style revolver in a Miami Vice rig either. When I want something special my solution is always to go to El Paso Saddelry.
On December 22nd I ordered a custom model 1879 shoulder holster with what they call Frontier Floral carving. The carving is all hand cut, not embossed like many modern western holsters. It came about the first week of February and it's another work of art. It's not cheap, it's not off the shelf and it is not kydex or cordura. But it is what a fine handgun deserves. We see the same thing sometimes in knife sheaths. Kydex has its place, but not in all applications. Often a sheath is poorly designed or fitted, made of cheap materials, or just not worthy of the knife itself. For those knifemakers who are not skilled in leather work, there is no shame in that. Find a sheath maker who will do your knifemaking skill justice. I know that personally I am willing to pay extra for a fine sheath and that a knife or sword without a sheath is incomplete. If anyone out there wants to send me photos of your sheath work, you may find them placed on my website. Some ideas of your prices would be helpful too.
Here is a photo of two El Paso 1879 shoulder holsters. The one on the right is for my Colt Python. The one on the left is for my Ruger Blackhawk. They are works of art and make carrying a heavy handgun a pleasure. The current price with carving is about $300.
On December 22nd I ordered a custom model 1879 shoulder holster with what they call Frontier Floral carving. The carving is all hand cut, not embossed like many modern western holsters. It came about the first week of February and it's another work of art. It's not cheap, it's not off the shelf and it is not kydex or cordura. But it is what a fine handgun deserves. We see the same thing sometimes in knife sheaths. Kydex has its place, but not in all applications. Often a sheath is poorly designed or fitted, made of cheap materials, or just not worthy of the knife itself. For those knifemakers who are not skilled in leather work, there is no shame in that. Find a sheath maker who will do your knifemaking skill justice. I know that personally I am willing to pay extra for a fine sheath and that a knife or sword without a sheath is incomplete. If anyone out there wants to send me photos of your sheath work, you may find them placed on my website. Some ideas of your prices would be helpful too.
Here is a photo of two El Paso 1879 shoulder holsters. The one on the right is for my Colt Python. The one on the left is for my Ruger Blackhawk. They are works of art and make carrying a heavy handgun a pleasure. The current price with carving is about $300.
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