Waynefi

Where do Mitch Rosen and Kramer fit into the holster world? Both appear to make near custom made quality looking holsters, and they are certainly some of the most expensive! But both looking to be large production type companies. One thing I noticed about a Kramer I had awhile back, was that it was the hardest cowhide holster I ever saw.

torrejon224

Probably like comparing apples to oranges! Rosen is a maker of very high quality leather and their prices show it!! Kramer although they make some very good products and are also exspensive tends to specialize in horsehide. I own several of Kramers holster and one sharkskin belt, the holsters are MSP paddles which IMO are the best paddle rigs on the market. Rosen's products are highly detailed and boned and they show it. Kramers for lack of a better word tend to look mass produced although they aren't. Put them side to side and you'll see what I'm talking about. Even Rosen's Express Line" appear to show more detailing then Kramers but horsehide is probably a harder leather to work with. Maybe one of the makers could jump in on this.

fed_wif_a_sig

I've own both Rosen and Kramer and I ditched my Kramer. Rosen is very high quality and simply eligant. Kramer is harsh, hard and unforgiving. The most uncomfortable ITP rig I ever wore was a Kramer, but the agent I traded it to, loves it (but then again he had never worn a Rosen, Sparks or Garrity.

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Steve
"Respect all ... Fear none!!!

LoveLeather

I look to the tribe for lawyers and doctors...but all my leather ends in a vowel....

richardoldfield

Mitch Rosen's top of the line are custom holsters and a little bit better than Kramers. Kramers are equal to or better than Rosen's low cost line. Regards, Richard

orangehole

Kramer and Rosen are easily in the top 10 best holster makers. Kramer's leather is stiff and tuff as nails. Rosen's leather pays alot more attention to detail and it shows. Both are great artists of leather and you can't go wrong with either of their products. If I were in need of a daily rig against harsh elements (full time LEO) I would chose a Kramer rig. If I were a casual CCW, I would go with a Rosen. Right now I think Matt Del Fatti is the finest holster maker out there today and it shows with a 2 year wait on his products.

fed_wif_a_sig

Lets make that list.

Milt Sparks
Mitch Rosen
Matt Del Fatti
Brommland
Garrity
Bullman
Horseshoe
K.L. Null
Andrews
Mernickle

And thats just 10 off my head.

Personally I compair Greg's (Kramers) work to that of Steve & Della of Rafter S Gunleather. They both make heavy duty quality geat that does the job, but isnt as nice as can be had. Only difference is that Greg charges for his rigs the same that you'll pay for a higher quality with better fit and finish from other makers. Rafter S just charges for what they are. A good holster that does the job.

But through it all it up to each persons opinion. Some folks out there think that carrying a full Rosen rig is to "flashy" and would stick with a uncle mikes rig. For me, a good gun gets great holsters.

Steve

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Steve
"Respect all ... Fear none!!!

pogo2

I have several Kramer horsehide holsters but don't own a Rosen, so I can't compare them. I do like the Kramer horsehide belt scabbards, which are made of a hard horsehide and wear like iron. The Kramer holsters stay open for reholstering without any internal steel supports or leather reinforcing strips - that is how stiff they are.

The Kramers are fairly plain and without ornamentation compared to other makes. They seem to be "all business" with no frills. The Kramers hold up well over time, and don't start to sag. Here is one of mine:

los

Photo of my HK USPc45 with a Mitch Rosen 5JR. Note the precise boning and impeccable dyeing and stitching.

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What we've got here is failure to communicate.

Mark Garrity

I wouldn't call either a "large production-type company". Both men started as one-man shops. Last I heard, Kramer currently has about 5 employees and Rosen 9. I have heard that Kramer once worked for Desantis Holsters (which is a large production company) but don't hold me to that (though some of their early designs are very similar). Kramer made his name by making his holsters exclusively in horsehide when he started out, and touting it as the be-all/end-all holster material. "No frills" is the best term I've heard to describe his products. They are simple and functional; pressure molded with no detail boning. But, yes - horsehide is much harder to work with.
Rosen was a New York stock broker who became a holster-maker after being mugged one too many times and taking Ayoob's LFI course. His leather experience comes from his father, who made purses and briefcases. This may explain why Rosen's stuff loooks more elegant; getting his experience from that part of the industry rather than , say, a saddle-maker. Rosen established himself early on as the holster-maker of the CEO, and even advertised in The Robb Report magazine at one time instead of gun magazines. His designs are well-thought out, as evidenced by how many have been copied by mass-production outfits. At one time I thought his molding was second to none, but recently they have appeared less detailed (and I'm not referring to his Express Line which is pressure-molded only).
Admiring the work of Rosen and Brommeland in the early 90s is what got me statrted in holster-making.
I don't think you'd go wrong getting a holster from Rosen or Kramer. It's a matter of your personal prefernce and style.

As to the comment by Lou Alessi posted by Torrejon224; just to clear things up on Lou's behalf I can assure you it doesn't stem from being a competitor. Lou is very receptive and cordial to others in the business, and a genuine nice guy. (And fed-wif-a-sig, you need to put Alessi near the top of your list). I won't bad-mouth someone on a forum when he's not here to defend himself, but let's just say Rosen's personal attitude detracts from his work sometimes.
And neither Rosen or Kramer will offer any assistance or advice to a new-comer, but that's their perogative I guess.

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www.garritysgunleather.com