Kusiak Leather, holsters with baked-in quality and value

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

As a young baker working in a sketchy part of Miami, Pepi Kusiak decided to carry concealed. But with unsatisfactory holster choices on the market, he used skills learned at his mother’s leather shop to craft his own, and the rest is history.

QUALITY, VALUE BAKED INTO THESE HOLSTERS

‘Form follows function meets minimalism’ with Kusiak Leather’s IWB, OWB concealed carry options.

PHOTOS BY KUSIAK LEATHER

Most small businesses have a unique “how they got started” story, but Kusiak Leather’s might just take the cake – literally.

While working for his grandfather’s Cuban bakery in Miami, Pepi Kusiak developed a recipe and the retail packaging for gourmet brownies that were sold at farmers markets and local food stores. Because he was working after hours in a “sketchy neighborhood,” Kusiak decided he needed protection, so he set about getting his concealed weapons permit and a firearm.

“Now, we’ve all been here: You’ve chosen the gun you’re going to buy and at some point, you find yourself at the wall of holsters,” Kusiak describes. “That’s when I realized, none of those holsters were going to work for me because they ride too high, leather is too thick, poor quality or they were plastic.”

He continues, “Because I have leather work experience, I knew I could do better. Originally, I made holsters for myself, and because friends and other people started asking for them, I decided to open up shop. In order to know that I was on the right track, I called my brother who’s a sheriff in L.A., and I asked him to list off all the problems he’s had with inside-thewaistband holsters, thus resulting in Kusiak Leather Holsters.”

As a teen, Kusiak worked for his mother’s custom leather shop in Burbank, California, and he brought these skills to his new holsters. After about a year of making them out of his apartment, he quit the bakery to focus on holsters full-time. The

company continued to expand, and Kusiak soon found a commercial space and built a workshop.

Now proudly located in Texas, Kusiak describes the design of his holsters as “form follows function meets minimalism.”

“It is a unique design to the conceal carry world,” he says. “Our holster offers protection to and from your pistol, secured retention, and provides ready access to it. Our product was created for those who like to conceal carry on a daily basis with a lightweight and unobtrusive and ultimately invisible holster.”

Kusiak holsters have been redesigned a few times over the years, as the company strives for perfection, but they have always retained the minimalist feel that shooters enjoy so much. Each holster is thin yet sturdy, and is handmade in Texas from natural steer hide.

“Nobody makes leather holsters like we do,” says Kusiak. “They are as thin as Kydex, and in some cases as sturdy as Kydex, but they are as comfortable as any leather holster – but more comfortable because they are thinner. If you compare our holsters to other comparable leather holsters, we also provide the best value in the market.” 

Kusiak Leather offers several lines of inside- and outside-the-waistband holsters, all made out of natural steer hide and cut as thin as Kydex.

The company’s holsters are available for a wide variety of handgun makes and models.

Editor’s note: For more information, visit kusiakleather.com.

CONCEALED CARRY GALLERY

MERNICKLE HOLSTERS

If your cowboy gun is what you shoot the most, why not make it your daily carry? Mernickle Holsters’ PS06SA is made of the highest grade Hermann Oak leather. This holster can be carried in the strong-side position or a crossdraw. Holsters are hand-molded to your model of gun to ensure a perfect fit every time.

HUNTER COMPANY LEATHER

Fits most small- and medium-frame firearms and made with American full-grain leather. The 4700-style holsters are handcrafted to hug your hip comfortably and fit universally so that one size fits most. It is available in two-tone color and black, and is handcrafted with durable nylon stitching, metal belt clip and metal screw set (for small frames) to adjust to different firearms. Designed for an all-day, everyday carry for both left- and right-handed users. Two sizes are available: 4700, which fits medium to large frame; and 4700S, which fits small frame.

www.huntercompany.com

www.mernickleholsters.com

TRIPLE K MANUFACTURING

Crossdraw Holster is designed for gun owners who prefer a dedicated crossdraw-style carry. The open-top design allows for easy draw and features an adjustable tension screw that ensures proper gun retention. Made in the USA with premium vegetable-tanned leather and heavy nylon stitching. MSRP: $53.

www.triplek.com

KUSIAK LEATHER

Kusiak Leather has integrated claw technology into its American IWB holster. If you are not familiar with the claw, it helps conceal the pistol by applying pressure to the inside of the belt and rotating the grip of the pistol towards your body for maximum concealment.

The claw is made up of three layers of rosewood and 10 layers of carbon fiber, with an overall thickness of about .2025 inch. Kusiak uses Shellac all-natural sealant and it makes the wood as waterproof as you would expect leather to be. Paraffin wax and silicone lubricant are added to the inside to make your pistol glide in and out easily and also to further protect the finish of your pistol.

An all-American product, the American IWB features a second layer of 5-6 ounce leather over the upper section and sweat guard for added reinforcement. This not only makes it stronger, but also allows it to stay open, making reholstering easier.

www.kusiakleather.com