Holstex Update and Testing

[@TheTXRanger]

I heat mine in a regular oven preheated to 315 degrees and leave the Holstex in until it hits 300. It has never curled on me and I wonder if it has anything to do w/ the proximity of the heating element? Great video. Thanks!

[@RevealedRevelations]

An update on Holstex - some things have changed in two years. I wanted the carbon fiber look that Kydex does not provide. When working with Holstex, I had no issues with curling at all. I worked with it the same as Kydex, only pulling it from the heat source at about 340. I'm understood that the manufacturer of Holstex made some changes to stop the curling issues; thus, as in my experience, making it no different to work with than Kydex. The material is still softer than Kydex, smooths out and blends together well. I put a Holstex front panel on a Kydex rear panel and when buffing them, the heat literally molded the edge together as one. Thanks for your tutorials.

[@PHLster]

@tramlaw72 I've gotten some feedback from Knifekits about these Holstex problems and we're working some of these issues out. Seems as though it's sensitive to direct and uneven heat. I'm going to try warming it in a bigger oven and see what kind of results I can get that way.

[@cmaca345]

Outstanding vid! I may have missed it, but were you warming the gun blank and the press foam off screen before attempting the Holstex at the lower temps? In your other vids, you place a lot of emphasis on this for best results. Thanks

[@tyrs8]

have you had any problems with the light comming on due to buttons being depressed by the finished holsters? I imagine it would be hard to relieve just the button area on some of these holsters.

[@MightyCrow33]

Looks great Jon! I like the reverse Skeleton.That actually has me thinking on applications I could apply that too for another project. Being a newb I will contiue to use Kydex solely for now. Thanks for sharing your knowledge/trial and error with the Holstex. Any idea of when the updated DIY kydex holster vids will be posted?

[@slsnyder]

Great vid and thank for posting. Have you tried heating the Holstex with the protective coating still attached or are you removing it? According to several sources, this coating is heat resistant and intended to stay on the Holstex through the forming process. Just got a sheet of .08 and .06 yesterday in the mail and heading to the shop to see what happens.

[@kentonfrank]

Seems like the hot side is expanding much faster then then colder side and not transfering the heat through it like Kydex does. Might have to think outside the box of heating both sides at once without the metal tray in the oven or the heat gun on one side. Maybe hot water... If only it didn't boil at such a low temp....

[@AlexEberhart]

Neat holster design. I am glad to be getting the info on Holstex. So far it is looking unimpressive.

[@Mrcaffinebean]

Loving these videos keep them coming! Thanks for testing this stuff out and being honest. Have you tried flattening the holstex after pressing?

[@PHLster]

@cmaca345 That technique is really the icing on the cake. In this experiment, it wouldn't have been the make or break factor.

[@SentryGunleather]

I'm far from dazzled by this holstex business. Glad I caught some vids before I ordered it. I will be sticking to kydex

[@sfsniper1000]

Do you worry about running into patent issues at all?

[@AlexEberhart]

@PhillyEDC Hmm. I know nothing about the product other than what you have posted. It will be interesting to see if it pans out to anything good.

[@GunfightersINC]

So I was looking into holstex and can't really find any advantages over kydex...it's just a bigger pain in the ass to work...it cools way too fast just like concealex.

[@IamNewPrepper]

I was witching a video of Buzzsah making a holster being made with holstex for his own gun and a neat press. Buzzsah he has used carbon fiber as well.

[@TRADERnel]

Use two metal trays to sandwitch the kydex heating it

[@ConditionZero76]

You are a DIY'r I'm confused 😕