ltwguns.com

ALL my leather is Lou's but I saw a used Null ankle for a J-frame for sale. How do these two compare?

As you know Bob - Lou Alessi and Ken Null share a Seventrees heritage - see Unseen in the Best Places on Mr. Null's literature and talk to Mr. Alessi about Paris Theodore's original patterns for the Speed Scabbard. Mr. Alessi has seen farther by standing on the shoulders of giants - I can't personally vouch for Mr. Null's efforts but many do.

To quote one of the many fine artists who posts here and who I would invite to ratify or disclaim his earlier opinion since I wouldn't want to appear to put words in his mouth (but a search on the usual sites will turn it up pretty quickly):

I noticed Lou uses a fleece type lining and the Null has a different type. It's more like a rough suede. Any benefits to either?

Hoser, My grandfather Ken and I use the same padding on our ankle holsters. It is 1/4" dense felt, which is much better than sheepswool in my opinion. Sheepswool tends to flatten down quickly and ultimately offers no padding after a while.
The dense felt lasts for years, and is better at wicking away moisture.

I would highly recommend the Null holster.
Lou

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Alessi Holsters, Inc.
You'll never know it's there, until you need it...

Thanks Lou,
Been thinking about getting one but never quite tried one. Found one used (without the wait period and back order) so I thought I'd try it. It would be only non-Alessi holster! I feel like I'm cheating on you.

Anyway, looking forward to my next Lou package.

Yours (semi) faithfully,
hoser

As much as I praise the Alessi ankle rig, the Null model is very comparable, IMHO. I like dealing
with R&F Hunting, and their service is second to none, so I always get my ankle rigs from them.

I have one of Lou's ankle rigs that has ridden many miles wrapped snugly around my left ankle. While I can't speak for the Null unit, I CAN recommend Lou's without hesitation.

-Mark

Like Mark, I have an Alessi ankle holster that I've worn every time I've gone out of the house since 2002 - this carrying a G26, a square and blocky gun with lots of ammo aboard.

I've not used any of Ken Null's gear, but I've heard great things about it. If Luigi says he recommends Null, I'll second that.

Rich Grassi

And how typically gracious of Lou to recommend another maker's work.

I've said it before, but it bears repeating: he produces great leathergoods, keeps his promises, and is a real gentleman to deal with.

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NRA Endowment Member

Both the Alessi and the Null ankle rig are good rigs if you can carry a weapon comfortably in that position. Whether even the finest ankle rig is useful to you depends on your ankle/calf configuration, willingness to live with the weight on an extremity, and your ability to master the two handed effort needed to produce a weapon from that position. A good deal on a used holster depends on how you rate the discounted price and the condition of the holster, and whether there are any problems with that specific holster that prompted the owner to sell it.

Ken Null's holsters are the Seventrees designs executed with somewhat different leather. Lou Alessi's ankle rig design was, as Lou is more than willing to note, tweaked by Paris Theodore sometime after Seventrees had closed its doors. Personally, I think that the leather that Lou uses in his holsters is closer to the original Seventrees holsters in its lightness and stiffness for it's weight.

Hard to beat either, but I doubt anyone will find complaints with much that has the Alessi imprimature--and certainly none from the standpoint of workmanship and quality of leather selected for the specific holster's needs.

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And unfortunately, in the final result it does not matter how brave a man is, but how closely he can hold.

fm SEW, THE LAND OF FOOTPRINTS

The nice thing with Luigi's rig is that it has the D ring at the front. You can ratchet the pad down as tight as you want. The original version such as what Ken and Rusty use makes it a little harder to get the pad tight on the ankle. All of them work well.

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Bulman Gunleather
http://www.bulmangunleather.com
(814)696-8615

Hello all.. Maybe I can add my humble opinion here on the debate. I own ankle rigs from BOTH of these fine men and can honestly say that I personnaly feel that the Alessi rig is far more secure and comfortable to wear. I have problems with my legs at times due to diabetes and cannot wear ankle rigs much anymore due to them rubbing my calf raw. The Null holster is still uncomfortable for me after awhile and the dense felt liner seems to cause a "hotspot" underneath it. It also as one of the other posts said lacks the loop at the front that allows the strap to be cinched down keeping it in place. I have recently been introduced (Thanks to my co-worker Chip/Mr. Witherspoon!) to the Alessi rig which I feel much more comfortable with...both physically and in a manner of speaking. I have done quite a bit of business with Ken Null in the past and have always found him to be informative and pays attention to the person's need, and I have spoken with Lou on the phone a few times and found the same....but from here on I will be buying Alessi all the way!!

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

Hey John, welcome aboard!!! It's good to see that hillbillies really do know how to type.

Please allow me to echo everthing good said about Messers. Alessi and Null. Craftsmen and gentlemen of the first order.

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Sic Semper Tyrannis

John,
Although I have only met you twice, let me welcome you to the family here.
And I don't believe a word Chip has said about you

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"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

Had a Null and an Alessi ankle rig both were great but was told by my Doc to not wear them snug due to diabetes....circulation concerns

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My future's determined by Thieves, thugs, and vermin
My rights are denied by Those least qualified
Everything's backwards In Americana

Al...Thanks and it has been a pleasure meeting you on both occaisions, just wish more time was allowed to talk. And unfortunately, I am probably going to have to believe everything (or most) of what Chip has said about you!! It just seems to be echoed by so many folks on these threads that it HAS to be!! (Relax...it's all good, but Chip said I can't tell you that or it'll go to your head!). I feel honored to be in here with all you fine folks.....and yes Chip, Us hillbillies kin' tipe two!! I kin evin sumtimz do meye gazintas (see Jethro Clampett for definition!). See you tomorrow, mi amigo!

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee