[Matchlock]

Hi lads.

Over the holidays I had a gentleman from Wainwright (a return client), Alberta ask me if I could do up a rig for him but he only wanted the one holster, and it was to be a cross-draw (left-side).

The only thing he said was he would like it to look used, but not all beat up so I came up with this "antiqued" look. What do you think fellas? Did it come out that way do you think?

It's the first one in quite some time that wasn't double thickness, (two layers of 8 to 9 oz. tooling leather) but I guess not everyone wants that sort of thing. Although it wasn't double layered, I stitched it just for effect anyway.

Bud

 

[Malysh]

Excellent rig, Bud.

As for the antiquing, I dunno. It still looks pretty new to me.
Of course, I'm no authority on western rigs, as you guys know.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Great rig, Bud. Did you age, or dirty up the thread a little so it wouldn't stand out so much? I've done that. When I made a belt to match my well used Ojala holster I found, I beat on the leather and then rubbed greasy soot from my B-B-Q and some oil and dirt to crud it up. It worked, too. Your project here reminds me of the holster I was working on for myself today. A double thickness slim jim with the outside being this dark rather soft and scared up roll of leather I've had for centuries.

 

[Matchlock]

Hi Mike;

Well, actually it's more of a color/dye thing than antiquing I guess. I just rub a cloth with some beeswax on it over areas that might get a bit more wear than others so when I dye it, the dye doesn't take real well in those places. At least that's the plan anyway. I borrowed the idea from Will Ghormley, a US gun belt and holster maker for some very high profile western movies. I've spoke to Will on a few occasions and he doesn't mind me stealing a little from here once in a while. Will is a very nice guy.

Bud

Excellent rig, Bud.

As for the antiquing, I dunno. It still looks pretty new to me.
Of course, I'm no authority on western rigs, as you guys know.

 

[Matchlock]

Hi Matt;

I do that sometimes depending on what the client wants, but if I get fee run I'll often dye the work after stitching and that sometimes gives me the same effect. That's what I did on this rig Matt.

Oddly enough a lot of those I make for "Western" buffs, (not necessarily shooters), want the white stitching to be very proud and prominent. I get asked if I could "do the white stitches around the outside." It's funny cause they often have no idea why it's stitched there anyway.

Whenever I need to make a rig that looks as though it's already had years of use I use 10 oz. sides as these hides usually have some nice range marks on them. It's like Craig mentioned on his rig, it's "character" marks and just adds to the age.

Thanks for the comments Matt, and everyone of course. They are always appreciated.

Bud

Great rig, Bud. Did you age, or dirty up the thread a little so it wouldn't stand out so much? I've done that. When I made a belt to match my well used Ojala holster I found, I beat on the leather and then rubbed greasy soot from my B-B-Q and some oil and dirt to crud it up. It worked, too. Your project here reminds me of the holster I was working on for myself today. A double thickness slim jim with the outside being this dark rather soft and scared up roll of leather I've had for centuries.

 

[blackdog001]

Looks pretty nice to me

 

[CraigC]

It's a beatiful rig but doesn't really look antiqued to me. Which, as far as I can tell, is really an art all its own. I've been wanting to do some aged work like Chuck Burrows does but haven't been brave enough to be that mean to a finished holster.

 

[Matchlock]

You're right Craig, and there is indeed an art to "antiquing" anything really.

Another fellow who really knows how to do it is Will Ghormley.

Thanks for your comments though, I do appreciate them.

Bud

It's a beatiful rig but doesn't really look antiqued to me. Which, as far as I can tell, is really an art all its own. I've been wanting to do some aged work like Chuck Burrows does but haven't been brave enough to be that mean to a finished holster.

 

[dogface6]

Look at Chuck Burrows' work - he owns Wild Rose Trading Co. - wrtcleather.com - and his is museum quality work.

On the other hand - that's his specialty.