How to Apply Finish to a Leather Holster

6 MONTH ACCESS

In this video I cover two finishing techniques meant to give your holster a great final look. The first technique is applying a resin finish, known for its ease of application and in re-applying down the road. The second technique is my favorite overall – the Hot Wax Dip Method. This style of holster finish makes for an extremely durable holster and excellent weatherproofing, all without any chemicals. Another advantage is the coloration formed after dipping. If you are looking to make a rich brown colored holster, there would be no need to dye the leather beforehand. Join me as I show you these fun and simple techniques.

 
This video is part 4 of my video series on how to make a leather holster. I have made all of the videos in this series independently available for those that may just want specific advice in a certain area of holster making. The paid video is organized into chapters, to help you find the information you need quickly and use as a reference later on.

9 minutes // Beginner

Tutorial Skills

  • Edge sanding
  • Edge burnishing
  • Applying resin finish
  • Prepping for hot wax dipping
  • Final fit and touchups
  • + more

All Videos in this Series

holster pattern button
Construction - Leather Holster
How To - Wet Forming
finishing holster button
holster secrets button
thumb break holster button
tension screw holster button

Related Patterns

Tools + Materials Needed

Tools / Materials for Resin Finish:

I sell various tools and supplies in my online shop here as well ➔

If I don’t have an item shown in the video listed here, I don’t have a link for it so you may have to search around to find a supplier. Links directing to an amazon product are paid links.

tools used in applying resin finish to a leather holster

Tools / Materials for Hot Wax Finish:

I sell various tools and supplies in my online shop here as well ➔

If I don’t have an item shown in the video listed here, I don’t have a link for it so you may have to search around to find a supplier. Links directing to an amazon product are paid links.

Initial Instruction Preview:

There are numerous ways to apply finish to a leather holster and of course numerous types of finishes. In this video I will be explaining two of the best and most practical techniques. The first involves a resin finish which is easy to apply and easy to apply again a year or two down the road. This is unlike an acrylic finish that would require quite a few steps in prep work before reapplying. The second technique is my patented Hot Wax Dip Method. Arguably the strongest and most weatherproof style of finish for a leather holster. Initially the materials and setup are a bit more involved – but if you plan on making many holsters, sheaths and pouches, you can keep reusing this technique for a quick finish.

sanding the edge of a holster before applying finish

It’s worth noting that leather holsters should not be oiled. Oil will soften the fibers and make for a loose fit. First we will begin by prepping the edges before applying the finish. I like to work my way down a few grits in sandpaper, starting with a 220 or even something slightly more course and getting down to a 600 grit. This helps sand off most of the fibers sticking out of the edge and will make for a much smoother edge after you burnish later on. 

burnishing the edge of a holster peeping for finish application

After sanding the edges smooth, I like to dampen them with a sponge and then start rubbing smooth with the cocobolo burnisher. To do this properly you will want to add a bit of pressure when rubbing back and forth. The right amount of pressure will create a kind of squeakiness in the leather. After a little bit of this you will start to notice the leather is glossing up nicely. For tighter areas like the belt slots, it is worth purchasing a much thinner burnisher. You’ll be able to get into almost all spots with the right tool. 

hot wax dipping a leather holster

I am jumping ahead a bit here, above is a preview of the holster after I have hot wax dipped it. I am heating up the exterior with a heat gun and melting off the remaining wax. The holster at this point should be well saturated with beeswax. Once you get the excess wax melted off you can then re-fit the gun….

Meet Your Instructor
Mr. Lentz

Over a decade ago in the dusty plains of central Colorado, I began the path of building this small leather goods business. As the years have passed, I have acquired very useful and practical leather working skills that I am more than happy to pass on to those who are looking to learn the trade. A lot of knowledge comes with running a successful leather goods business, and at the heart of it all - remains a deep understanding of how to work with leather, approach problems, and come up with simple and satisfying solutions. Let me pass on a bit that knowledge and advice to you and we can keep the beautiful artistry of leather craft alive.

READ MORE

Meet Your Instructor
Mr. Lentz

Over a decade ago in the dusty plains of central Colorado, I began the path of building this small leather goods business. As the years have passed, I have acquired very useful and practical leather working skills that I am more than happy to pass on to those who are looking to learn the trade. A lot of knowledge comes with running a successful leather goods business, and at the heart of it all - remains a deep understanding of how to work with leather, approach problems, and come up with simple and satisfying solutions. Let me pass on a bit that knowledge and advice to you and we can keep the beautiful artistry of leather craft alive.

READ MORE

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