Ken Delano of Blue Line, LLC Custom Holsters is a firearms instructor and 20-year police officer in Virginia. He started making holsters for law enforcement officers about five years ago. But Blue Line also designs a lot of holsters for women.
“I have learned over the years of instructing that women have very different needs from men because of their body styles and clothing choices,” Ken said. “So, my focus in holster design is to make holsters modular with different clip options that can be adjustable to a person’s individual needs.
“[I believe people] should be able to carry concealed and dress like they normally dress without having to make compromises for comfort. Of course, most women don’t wear a belt on a daily basis, so I designed holsters for (inside or outside) beltless concealed carry. Ladies wear a lot of spandex, leggings, skirts and dress slacks, so I have a line of holsters with our Fabric Clip that work effectively for concealed carry without a belt. These are available in beautiful colors, designs and patterns that women simply love.”
Best Seller
Undoubtedly, I had to check out the Fabric Clip (Blue Line’s best seller for women) for myself. At first, I wasn’t quite sure I knew how to operate the clip part correctly. But after watching a helpful video from Ken’s wife, the functionality and simplicity of the mechanism became clear.
The holster’s specially designed (and carefully constructed) clip works to firmly gather and secure the material. It’s kind of like a clamp or claw. When it audibly snaps into place, the holster stays put without a belt … and without requiring heavier clothing. For instance, the Fabric Clip can be used with softer, thinner materials, like the oh-so-popular and comfortable leggings.
I found the Fabric Clip to be sturdy and quite comfortable. It slipped on easily and clamped down firmly on some dress pants with a blend of polyester, cotton, rayon and spandex, as well as some 4-way stretch denim jeans. The holster stayed put when I pulled the firearm clear too. As with other holsters, it just takes a bit of acclimation and practice. And you’ll want to make sure you’re not using too heavy of a firearm with the Fabric Clip. While the holster will definitely hold in place on just about any type of material, the gun may be too heavy for softer, flimsier fabrics to manage.
Unique Option
Blue Line has definitely created a unique, accessible and user-friendly option for women who want a durable Kydex holster that functions properly without a belt. It’s something many women could choose while leading an active lifestyle. Ken mentioned that his wife typically carries her Glock 42 or Ruger LCP II with thinner clothes or skirts and uses the Fabric Clip (in appendix carry) when running or working out.
Ultimately, the Fabric Clip is a great option, especially for those who have otherwise given up on safe and viable carry solutions. As Ken mentioned, “I get told by [petite] females several times a week that they are too small to carry a pistol because they wear leggings and tight clothing. It’s great to see the smiles on their faces when I fit them with a pistol/holster combo that makes the pistol disappear under their clothes. They are always amazed at how comfortable and concealable the holster is. [For me, that’s] one of the best things about doing gun shows and meeting customers in person.”
Catch up with Ken and try out the Fabric Clip in person at the upcoming USCCA Concealed Carry Expo, May 17-19 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Sources:
Blue Line, LLC: BlueLineLLC.com
