The Rohrbaugh Forum
Rohrbaugh Products and Accessories => Rohrbaugh Accessories => Topic started by: GeorgeH on May 27, 2004, 01:06:20 AM
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The Rohrbaugh seems to be the perfect gun to carry in an exotic leather holster.
I never owned an exotic leather holster until about a year ago, and I am now sort of hooked on them.
I now own exotic leather holsters made from sharkskin, ostrich, and stingray.
So, I was wondering, how many of you own or want to own a holster made from an exotic leather?
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Kevin has made me a P-3AT holster in black snakeskin and I gave my dad a holster for his Taurus snubby made from Red Iguana. Pretty neat. Its a shame that concealed carry holsters are rarely seen by others!
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George .... like Duane said .. unfortunately they don't get seen (much!). Don't think I'd be fussed for anything exotic .. I am ''functionality'' oriented with aesthetic overtones only! ;D
I am interested tho as to whether a small holster for this gun could also be made from that heavy black ''fabric'' stuff .... per Uncle Mikes .... sure you know what I mean Duane?
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Yeah, I am sure. There is undoubtedly and Uncle Mikes that would fit the bill. I just don't like that kind of holster -- I like a lot more firmness. If I couldn't have or didn't want leather, I would go kydex before synthetic fabric. Leather, however, has been the choice for holsters ever since guns were made...
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Yep - leather is #1 I agree .... just curious that was all .... I have (as so many of us) a box full of holsters .. and some suit one thing some suit another ..... and now and again the Uncle Mike's type do in fact have a place.
I am with you re Kydex ... I do find one or two most useful.
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Yea, exotic leather holsters are beautiful, but some of the leathers are extremely durable--sharkskin for example will last for generations. On the other hand, snake skin is merely for looks.
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Leather is warm. Over time it adapts to the shape of its user. But, I discovered that certain exotics have great wear characteristics. Most of my holsters are regular cowhide, but I now understand that there is a practical value to exotics as well. I also like the beauty of the exotic leather and its inherent "cool" factor. Likewise, I can't see spending nearly a grand for a gun and then shove it into a $29 holster that in a prior life was a milk jug.
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"I can't see spending nearly a grand for a gun and then shove it into a $29 holster that in a prior life was a milk jug. " Georgeh
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Azrael will appreciate that !! :D
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I aim to please. :)
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Leather is warm. Over time it adapts to the shape of its user. But, I discovered that certain exotics have great wear characteristics. Most of my holsters are regular cowhide, but I now understand that there is a practical value to exotics as well. I also like the beauty of the exotic leather and its inherent "cool" factor. Likewise, I can't see spending nearly a grand for a gun and then shove it into a $29 holster that in a prior life was a milk jug.
Hi George,
That has to be one of the all time great quotes, " I can't see spending nearly a grand for a gun and then shove it into a $29 holster that in a prior life was a milk jug." I agree 100%. I have confidence though that the holsters that Ron is making for me won't be remotely similar to any kind of milk jug.
Frank
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I like a little exotic...I have one of Ron G's pocket holsters with a band of elephant around the top for my Seecamp 380.
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Hi pocketman:
I'm trying to learn more about exotics. Elephant has only become available recently. What do you think about it?
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George, I like the look of it, its also very firm.
I can not tell the durability of it as its just a band going aroung the opening of the holster and the rest of the holster is leather.
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I like the idea of an exotic skin holster for my R9S. What exotic skins wear well? I have no experience with them. I have two drawers of holsters but mostly cowhide or horsehide. I really think an exotic skin belt slide would look great with the Rohrbaugh.
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Hi Murray:
I only have a handful of exotic holsters. I'm trying to learn more about exotic skins. But everything is relative.
The two most common exotics that you see today used in holsters are shark and ostrich. Both are very abrasion resistant--more so than cow or horse hide. A sharkskin holster is water resistant and can last a lifetime. But ostrich can be dyed and is more flexable cosmetically, yet its abrasion resistance made it popular with boot makers. Both are readily available and easy to work with.
Snake skin use to be more popular, but it has fallen from favor because is is very delicate. It is used more for its beauty than any practical reason.
The toughest leather for both abrasion and mosture resistance (that is commonly used for holsters) is ray skin, but it is very, very difficult to work with; there are over 200 different kinds of "ray;" and, the skins tend to be small and very expensive.
Lizard is more durable than snake, but less so than shark. The problem with lizard is that there are a lot of different lizards, each with their own considerations. Lizard is replacing snake because it is more durable and the skins can be very dramatic in appearance.
Elephant is now available, it is durable but like most land critters it is less mosture resistant than ocean critters.
So the bottom line--buy what you like. You will never be disappointed with shark or ostrich. Both wear like iron. Lizard can be dramatic and the texture and grain patten can take your breath away. Elephant is so novel that you will spend more time passing it around than wearing it. A great gun club ice breaker.
By the way, most exotics are bonded (glued) to either cow or horsehide.
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Appreciate the info George. I would not want to err and pay a lot for something that is delicate. My holsters take a beating, especially when worn on my belt. Looks like I can find one that is both beautiful AND tough. Does anyone know who would make such a holster for the R9/R9S?
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Hi Murray:
About half of all custom holster makers make at least one holster with exotic leather.
On this board, I'm the number one cheerleader for Ron Graham holsters.
RJ cheers for himself.
Duane (DDGator) is the resident cheerleader for KD Holsters.
The key is to first decide the design that you like. Then select the exotic that you want.
If you like black holsters, then sharkskin is a safe bet.
I own holsters made from shark, ostrich, and ray skin. I'd like to try elephant and water buffalo. I also like some lizards, but I don't know enough about the durability of the various kinds.
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George:
What would be the most durable for a beltslide holster. The one that would be least likely to scratch when my fat hip scrapes against something?
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Rayskin is the most durable, but good luck finding someone who would make an entire holster from it--it is very difficult to work with.
Next is sharkskin. Extremely durable, easier to work with, and available for a reasonable price.
My recommendation would be sharkskin. It is beautiful, durable, fairly reasonable in cost, and it will out live you unless you go swimming with it daily in saltwater. More importantly, it is commonly used by holster makers so you would have a greater selection of designs to pick from.
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If you go to Rafter S Gunleather's website (link below), you can see the holsters and belts they make out of various exotic leathers (as well as cowhide, of course). I own one of their belts, but haven't tried their holsters at all. Not trying to push their products, just thought the pictures might be good for seeing some of the exotics. They have ostrich, elephant, shark, and I think a few others.
http://www.raftersgunleather.com/
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Hi FJC:
Thank you for the link. Best photo of a holster made from elephant. Also, it is first time I saw a brown sharkskin holster. So it is possible to dye them brown. I always thought that sharkskin like horsehide is offered in any color so long as it is black. :)
I noticed that they specified "full quill" ostrich. They did that because you can also get a holster made from ostrich leg leather, which is a totally different texture.
Once again, thank you.
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Would it be possible to make a front pocket holster, thin and with integral extra mag pocket, under the grip and a way to keep the take-down tool that we will soon have...
My needs:
1. Front pocket
2. Middle finger slot to help push down, or hold down, while thumb and forefinger are removing pistol.
3. Very thin and durable for a lifetime of daily carry.
4. Absolutely NO printing of gun and mag because of flat outside - so that even when crouching, kneeling or sitting, there is no "gun" printing even to the trained eye, when trouser fabrric is pulled tightly over gun and holster.
5. Slot or pocket for our new take-down tool, most likely across the bottom line or along the bottom line of holster.
6. A printing-through look that says wallet only and nothing else.
* Perhaps the covering sheet, if required, to make the entire package look like a wallet, could even have a thin pocket for a single credit card, license, or a couple of folded bills, adding no thickness but a bit of added utility.
** All the chiropractors I know of - tell us to carry our wallets in the front pockets, shirt pockets (where mine is), in a shoulder bag or business case, ONLY... and never in the back pocket of slacks; so front pocket carry of wallets is customary and usual.
I'd love to see one, and know the price! ;D ;D
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I will ask Kevin about it -- I am sure it could be done.
Why would you want to carry the disassembly tool around though?
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I'm sure I'd lose the tool otherwise... and it sounds like it will be weightless almost. :)
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Hi Jody:
Check out this link: http://p081.ezboard.com/fgrahamholsterforumfrm7.showMessage?topicID=40.topic
Ron Graham can build a pocket holster with both a finger and thumb push off option. The photo (about 2/3 down the thread) is of a new design called the "Kentucky" named in memory of Will Mattingly (Kentucky Rifle of The Firing Line/The High Road boards), but the option is also available on the Maverick (A rear pocket holster with a removable anti-print panel) and the Night Owl, a more traditional front pocket holster.
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Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrley is beautiful work!!!!
I guess it's time for me to make a call to someone.
Are there any of you engineer/machinists who are ready to sell me a pair of takedown tools? Perhaps with a drive pin screwed into or onto one end, or somehow integral?
With the tool, pistol and magazine(s) I could get off my duff and place an order. ::)