I am asked, as any creator of custom work is, “How long is this going to take?” My standard answer is “about a month”. I often work a table at a gun show, and the answer becomes “show-to-show. If you order it at this show, I’ll have it at the next show for you.” That response usually works well since many attendees at a particular show tend to come back each month. For me that does two things: It saves me having to ship a holster which involves packing it correctly, driving to the UPS store (as many of you, I’m avoiding USPS if possible, these days) and paying for the shipping costs. Secondly, I get to put it out on display until you come get it. I sold many second items by having the first on display.
For the customer, it gives them a hands-on transaction. It also helps build relationships. I’ve heard other craftsmen say they think of the customer WHILE they make a particular piece. I thought it was corny and overstated when I first heard that. Now, I realize I often DO that, myself. Leatherwork gives you a lot of time to think.
What’s the normal lead time for the leather industry, holsters, in particular? The definitive answer is … it depends. What kind of holster are you buying? What’s the material? What’s the process? Is it leather or kydex? Is it lined or not? Is it hand stitched or machine stitched? Does it match your EXACT gun or just the general size? Is it a one-man shop or a crew of twenty? Is it truly custom work or small-run mass production? How many design options were you offered? There are so many variables that affect lead time, it’s hard to say what the most important factors are. Add to all of that, this past year has created more interruptions to the market and nothing can be relied upon, it seems. Some shipping times have been nothing short of obscene. Suppliers can’t get products, so neither can we. Some particular things are still almost entirely Asian supply, like hardware. I had to cut a buckle off of a table item to finish a custom order because I simply could not get it shipped. I work with a significant supplier where normally, I can go to the warehouse and pick out my leather sides. That was interrupted and I was left with shipped items and top-of-the-stack leather, which often meant a loss in yield. All of this delays the process and increases aggravation.
How long is too long? Some people pay a lot of money to wait 6-9 months, or more for a holster to arrive. And, they do so happily. Some of the bigger name high end holsters will fetch a lot of money, if you can order them at all. The free market does some strange things, but those voluntary forces all play a part in the market. Even some of us smaller fish reap the rewards. I recently made a set of mag pouches to match a holster made by a respected craftsman. The holster was hand-stitched and when it was sent to me, it was stuffed with packing (to prevent compression), wrapped in bubble wrap (to prevent compression) and marked “FRAGILE” on the box (I assume, to prevent compression). It was a nice piece and I treated it accordingly, as well. I took longer than I wanted, to get the pouches to my liking, and the customer was happy. I benefited from the high standards and long lead time expectations created by a market that I only view from the periphery … so far.
At the other end of the spectrum, I will have people look at my work, compliment me on how fantastic the workmanship looks and then ask if I have “something for a [whatever gun they carry]”. I explain the custom work process and also how prices drop if they happen to match a model I have on display. When they realize the matching holster isn’t sitting within arm’s reach, they move on. Oh well, that happens.
In short, there are too many variables to mention, but the highlights are listed above. In the end, you have to determine your own “misery index” on wait times, cost and your desire for a great finished product. I do think you will find most makers will be honest about their turn-around times and will work hard to keep those commitments.
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