Tucker’s Handwork
Posted by Rob Longenecker on August 26th, 2007
I’m not sure everyone knows how much work goes into a Tucker holster – particularly hand-stamped HF1’s, HF2’s and HF3’s. I do get calls wondering why we can’t ship right away.
First, there’s just the huge number of orders in house. Your holster order isn’t begun until it reaches the top of the list. Some ask, “How’s my holster coming along?” Well, 98% of the time, it hasn’t been started yet. It’s just on the waiting list. It only takes a few days to actually complete your holster and much of that is drying time.
If you order stamping, that does take time. It’s all hand work. Some nights Tucker has to soak his hands and arms in alternating warm and cold water to relax the tightness left from holding the stamping tools.
Here’s a picture of an HF1 for a Commander that’s been cut out and trimmed. The Swirl Cut stamping has just been started. Note the slender tool at 2:00 o’clock between the knife and the leather.
Tucker has to hold the stamping tool vertically in his left hand and tap it with a hammer for each 3/8″ of stamping, and then move it and stamp it again – over and over and over. He has to keep all the individual indented stamps in perfect alignment as he goes.
Eventually he covers the whole surface to be stamped. It takes total concentration, maintaining an even tapping force each tap and planning each move.
Here’s the finished result below – A RH HF1 for a Commander in Black Cherry with a full Swirl Cut stamp. (Note: Color appears slightly off due to color of the fluorescent light.)
Can you really believe Tucker does all that stamping for only $40? Do you get a sense of the time it takes? The care? The skill? I’m impressed every time I watch Tucker work.
I hope you have a deeper understanding of why Tucker’s work is in such demand and why he can’t just crank out holsters like a machine. Tucker is a one-man shop and he’s a true craftsman.
August 26th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
You can search forever for a better holster, but in my opinion
you will find none better than what is offered right here.
All hand crafted and none of that stamped imprint stuff.
The leather as a media to work with is demanding in itself, but
evidently enjoyable because this individual has taken it as his
life’s work.
Stitching is another very important item in holster making, please
note that I did not say ‘manufacturing’, as it is basically the final
trim that holds everything together. It has to be nice and symmetrical
in appearance. If it wears well, if it looks good and it is functional,
that is what counts in my book. Made one at a time, just for you!
Keep up the good work.
Ed