Wednesday, April 29, 2015

My, oh my

Dennis. 
Dragon Leatherworks.

 Yes, I got my custom holster today. Yes, I cried. Pictures are worth a thousand words, especially when you're rendered speechless.

Yes, folks, two, 2, dos, deux, animals died for this work of art. Cow, of course, but the focal point is a gorgeous piece of python, hand painted, and meticulously framed by the leather holster, which in itself is a work of art.


And yes, embossed in the leather, a Spartan spearhead with the III. As beautiful as the whole piece is, it was that special touch that made me cry. Yes, I cried. Bawled. Nose running, red-eyed, can't talk crying. I know what that III means, and I know I'll do my best to live up to it to the best of my abilities. I may not be on the front lines, but I will do everything in my power to provide support to those who are. It's that reason I often hesitate to identify as III, I don't feel I measure up. But I'm sure as hell 10% (the estimated number of Patriots who gave aid and support. I am a Patriot.

But I wish I could have gotten the hidden embossment. One on the back, under the frame. It says, "Made in America." And really, that should say more about the beauty and value of this piece of wearable art. It was hand-crafted in American BY an American Patriot FOR American Patriots. It is a wearable work of genius that boldly and distinctively makes a statement; and I will wear it proudly.
Skip called his a "bar-b-que" holster; mine is a marrying-burying-sundaymeeting-Prom-whenever I damn well want to holster. I'm probably going to be sleeping with it for a while. Nevermind.

So, one last word about Dennis. Yes, you can probably get a mass-produced Chinese-made holster for a fraction on what one of his cost. I'm still a little freaked out that this is my most expensive "attire". But, you truly get what you pay for. With loving care, this holster will be a legacy. Something to pass down, something that will still be lovely and functional long after I'm not. And, you get Dennis. A craftsman who cares about this customers. I've never handled an 1911 and I've never owned anything like this. Dennis has been very supportive and informative on how to properly break it in. For most of you dudes, that's not that big a deal. For ladies, especially one venturing into something new, receiving knowledge without condescension is like gold. Someone who'll walk you through it without making you feel like an idiot is worth the extra price. And for you dudes, he's available to discuss customization, special orders, and the like. Just try to get that from a mass producer.

I'd write more, but I keep sticking my nose in the holster and losing track. I'm adding a link to the pic Dennis posted on his site.

https://www.dlwtn.com/custom/valkyrie
at

27 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 29, 2015 at 4:27 PM

    Speechless is right. Too damn beautiful for words. A true craftsman.
    Terry
    Fall

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  2. KApril 29, 2015 at 5:05 PM

    You are III. It shows in everything you write and do. And I know on Day One, if there was a call to muster on your local Green, you'd be there with that .45 and rig, and probably more. Because what you have at home is worth defending, and you have what it takes to stand up and be counted.

    Then you'd remind the world of Molly Pitcher.

    Anyone who says you aren't III - send 'em my way for a talkin'-to. ;)

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  3. hiswiserangelApril 29, 2015 at 5:09 PM

    *hugs* K, you make me blush.

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  4. UnknownApril 29, 2015 at 5:26 PM

    American craftsmanship at its finest! Now will be waiting anxiously for pictures of the scuff marks,scratches, and dirt imbedded into the stitching that inevitably comes from training, training, and more training! same holds true for that beautiful .45. want to see dings on the magwell,scratches on the trigger guard, and the blueing on the slide wore thin from hours of dry fire practice, rough use on the range, and from it being part of you every waking hour! i am a new reader of your writings Miss Angel and find myself checking it daily. Thank you for the time and effort you invest into it!

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  5. Angel eyesApril 29, 2015 at 5:30 PM

    Should have included a wrist brace and ibuprofen for when/if you ever shoot that cannon.
    Oh

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  6. hiswiserangelApril 29, 2015 at 5:33 PM

    Angel eyes, thank you so much for your vote of confidence.

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  7. SunwolfNCApril 29, 2015 at 5:40 PM

    Beautiful holster! That wasn't cheap, was it? :)

    As for numbers - you're close.
    ~40-45% of the colonists supported the rebellion. It's thought that ~10% did the actual pew pew fighting, while ~20% provided direct military aid (ammo, repairs, equipment, etc) and ~20% provided aid and comfort to the fighters (food, sleeping places, clothes, mail delivery etc.). Meanwhile ~20% of the colonists remained loyal to the crown.

    Regardless. I agree with what K said. I bet you'd be there. Right along the rest of us ;)

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  8. KeadsApril 29, 2015 at 6:24 PM

    I met that Gentlemen last year in Indy. A Craftsman to be sure and an all around great guy to boot. Great looking holster! Good on ya!

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  9. wirecutterApril 29, 2015 at 6:47 PM

    Merry Christmas to both of us!!! I got a new holster from him in the mail today too.

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  10. hiswiserangelApril 29, 2015 at 6:52 PM

    Only because I was merciful. the was going to hold on to yours for torture, but I said, "No, verily, wirecutter is a holster whore, and should receive this in due time."
    You're welcome.

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  11. drjimApril 29, 2015 at 6:52 PM

    Beautiful workmanship!

    If I'm *ever* in the market for a fancy holster, that's the first (and probably only) place I'll go shopping.

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  12. B April 29, 2015 at 7:26 PM

    Now learn HOW to use the firearm and the holster.

    Again, I'll toss a few bucks your way when you decide to get training.

    I met Dennis at Indy last year. Nice guy, he is...

    Does good work too.

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  13. Wind River RangerApril 29, 2015 at 8:38 PM

    I am standing here beside myself ...

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  14. Gerald in CanadaApril 29, 2015 at 8:50 PM

    Congratulations, it is a work of art. I was on the site and sad to say I can't get any of his stuff here in Canada. Crying shame it is.Oh well I will live it through you all in the US of A.

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  15. DragonLWApril 29, 2015 at 9:05 PM

    Hello All,

    First, my deepest thanks for angel taking the time to do the write up, and for taking a trade-in-kind as payment for the sidebar ad that she has on her website for me.

    The holster is a work of art, and I'm the starving artist. :-) So I truly appreciate her giving me the leeway to trade a product for the sidebar.

    As for our Canadian friends...I can't ship directly to you because I don't know all of the export restrictions (from the USA) and the import restrictions (Canada) regarding endangered species. I do know that my supplier of the Python skins does all the import paperwork and Endangered Species declarations when they get the skins from overseas (I believe the country of origin is India, but thats just a guess) for use in the American Market, but I'm not sure about export/import to Canada.

    On top of all that, it takes a legal team and support staff to properly do the paperwork. I'm barely paying the current bills. Lord knows I don't have the necessary funds to be able to cover export costs. Now, if I had an order from a Canadian distributor for about 1,000 units, then it would be a no-brainer.

    That said....I do believe that a work-around is getting the thing as a gift. In other words, if you have a family member here in the USA, they might be able to purchase it and send it to you as a birthday present on the customs declaration form. That way, its not being shipped directly from the manufacturer to you.

    All I would do is ship it to the person here in the USA. They would then ship it to you as a gift.

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  16. Jesse in DCApril 29, 2015 at 9:15 PM

    I believe my holsters (such as they are) have died from embarrassment. Damn that is beautiful, wear it with pride.

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  17. Jesse in DCApril 29, 2015 at 9:15 PM

    I believe my holsters (such as they are) have died from embarrassment. Damn that is beautiful, wear it with pride.

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  18. Mark/GreyLockeApril 30, 2015 at 4:12 AM

    That is an absolute work of art. Created by an artist for a lady who is also a work of art.

    As others have said, I look forward to seeing the wear the holster, your new .45 and your hands take.

    As you create yet another masterpiece of a well educated, responsible, beautiful and deadly woman.

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  19. AnonymousApril 30, 2015 at 4:19 AM

    Very nice indeed, a holster any 1911 would be proud to wear. As should the owner - congratulations !

    You have friends that rock it the right way.

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  20. lasagnaApril 30, 2015 at 4:28 AM

    WOW! I bet Wirecutter got puppy dog eyes when he saw your holster the first time. Congratulations... Put a "reach me or pay me" window up and some of us could pitch in on ammo 'cus its a paperweight without practice.

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  21. IrishApril 30, 2015 at 4:52 AM

    Awesome !! That is sweeeet!

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  22. RogerApril 30, 2015 at 5:21 AM

    Dennis is good folks and he does excellent work.

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  23. pdwalkerApril 30, 2015 at 5:30 AM

    That shure is purty Ma'am.

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  24. pigpen51April 30, 2015 at 8:19 AM

    that is the most beautiful holster I have ever seen in my life!

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  25. DragonLWApril 30, 2015 at 8:46 AM

    For anyone who might be interested (looking at the folks who live in Texas, who are waiting for the Gov to sign Open Carry into law...) there are a few 1911 holsters up for sale on my website with no waiting. Just go to thie link provided below, and you can see rigs made for 1911's, one for a Sig P239, one for a Sig 228 w/rails, and a lefty for a Springfield XD 5" Tactical.

    I'm adding about 3 to 4 holsters a week to that page, so keep checking back to see if anything I build strikes your fancy. :-)

    https://www.dlwtn.com/custom/valkyrie_premade

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  26. AnonymousApril 30, 2015 at 11:50 AM

    Bad ass and beautiful. That holster is not bad either!(LOL)Hope you enjoy it. We all need a little distraction these days.

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  27. SkipApril 30, 2015 at 12:14 PM

    Beeeutiful!!

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Play nice. None of you are too old for a spanking.