Ken's Leathercraft

On Valentine's Day, I surprised Milady with a gunleather rig from Dusty Damrel at Crease N Corral.  Yesterday, she surprised me with a gunleather rig from Ken's Leathercraft.  Ken is a Virginia based company that caters to the Cowboy niche market.  We've seen his holsters at shoots and they've come recommended to us by friends.  At a price point of $130.00, it's probably the smallest cost you can have for a semi-custom holster.  Even the big firms like El Paso Saddlery don't put together a rig like this for the money.

Initial impressions:  This is a very nice holster and belt.  Double-stitched, the belt is double thickness.  A nicely dyed leather on the outside and a heavy suede on the inside.  It gives the impression of a very durable belt.  The holster is likewise double-stitched, of matching leather.  It's the standard Mexican loop style that is so common in our game, and the holster is lined with smooth leather to assist in the draw.    Of course, it has a bullet deflector and is cut with a rearward cant, as is also common in the game.

The buckle is a roller buckle, attached with Chicago screws.  That's  a nice attention to detail, in case something ever happens to the buckle, it's easy to change.

The belt also comes with cartridge loops.  While I don't see the need for cartridge loops in a competition holster, if you're going to use this belt for woods-cruising, having extra ammo might be nice.  Ken thoughtfully  attached the loops with Chicago screws and if I don't want them on the belt, they'd certainly be easy enough to take off.

All in all, it's a very nice rig for the money.  Thanks to Milady for such a thoughful gift.  We've got an anniversary coming up in June, and she told me that's my anniversary gift.  I'll have to do something appropriately thoughtful for her.