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The X-Philes (2nd Revision)
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The X-Philes Number 1 (1995).iso
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hp95
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leatherc.doc
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1995-03-31
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A Real Case for the HP-95LX
---------------------------
OK, I'm a geek. I admit it. I never wore a slide rule on my belt, but in college
I _did_ wear my calculators on my belt.
When I started using a pocket computer- the Psion Organiser- I used a gray
nylon belt case sold by one of their distributors. I got used to it: it was
always right there when alarms went off or I needed to check a phone number or
something.
Now that the 95 has supplanted the Organiser for me, I needed a belt case for
it. I was using a really ratty old HP-65 hard leather case-- well, truth to
tell, it wasn't that hard any more-- and kept hoping some enterprising third
party would fill the gap.
Nobody did, so I went to a local holster maker to see what he could do. Most
pistol holsters are "molded", just like the old HP hard leather cases: wet
leather is pressed over a form and the result stitched to a backing.
The holster maker used cast aluminum forms for various pistols; we both
agreed that subjecting the 95 to the pressing operation wouldn't be a good idea.
The solution was simple: I had a friend with a milling machine (he's really
handy to have around) machine a chunk of aluminum to the size and shape of the
95. I took this back to the holster maker and he came up with a very rugged
hard leather case that's a perfect fit. Best of all, the price was surprisingly
low: $80 for a case that makes the old HP hard leather cases look kinda shabby,
and designed to my exact specifications.
My case is made from leather about twice as thick as the HP case leather, in a
simple design with a spring steel belt clip and a Velcro secured flap. It's
dyed a dark brown and has pigskin lining.
The holster maker is Brian Digardi, and his business is called Digardi Leather
Co. It's located in San Jose, CA and the phone number is (408) 371-6367. He
still has the aluminum form and is thus in a unique position to make custom
cases for the 95. Since each case is made to order, you decide what goes into
it: RAM card pockets, type of leather used, belt or other type of case design,
so on and such forth. If you're not local to the Bay Area, your best bet is to
call him and arrange to send him a sketch of what you want.
He's been in business here a number of years and the local gun nuts tell me he's
in high demand for custom gun holsters, knife sheaths, and so forth. I'm very
impressed with _my_ case (did I mention the matching belt? That was extra.), and
I think you'd be pleased with anything he did for you as well.
I have no connections with Digardi Leather.