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.

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. 

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. 

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….