Detail

I depends.

I don't have a problem with the less detail on say a Kramer holster http://www.kramerleather.com/productDetail.cfm?productID=10&categoryID=24

or a Simply Rugged Cuda http://shop.simplyrugged.com/ecommerce/Cuda-.cfm?item_id=407&parent=669

or a Rosen Express line http://www.mitchrosen.com/products/express-line/

vs the full detail boning of something like Rosen's regular line http://www.mitchrosen.com/products/holsters/belt-holsters/

However, I notice the lack of detail on holsters such as the Galco Tuck-N-Go

http://www.galcogunleather.com/tuck-n-go-inside-the-pant-holster_8_7_1320.html

or the High Noon Mr. Softy http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Product_Line/_Mr_Softy/_mr_softy.html

The difference is the first group of holsters, while not showing the full detail boning, have excellent reputations for retention and stability. The Galco and High Noon are clearly soft bodied holsters that one would expect to have little rigidity or retention.

A new maker, with no boning to his holsters (actually it would apply to any new maker regardless of how well his holsters are boned), would need to have some strong recommendations from users indicating their holsters are solid before I'd spend money on them.

There are lots of options available to the holster buyer. There would need to be some reason to buy something from a new maker over well established makers. It could be almost anything though. You could deliver a product faster, or a unique design, or a better looking product, or for somewhat of an oddball gun not covered by other makers, or a better customer service experience. There is a lot of competition in the holster business, but there are still a lot of opportunities to fill a need in the market.

When you shop for a holster does the boning/detail work influence your decision?

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Yes, quite often ... For some of my handguns, I much prefer a good-looking, quality holster.

Does the trigger guard and the slide/cylinder have to be totally outlined to make up your mind?

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Pretty much, especially if it contributes to a good fit for the piece and good retention characteristics.

Does a general molded but not detailed outline of the handgun OK?

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Okay for a functional, working holster -- as JTQ noted, with a Kramer horsehide holster, meant to be durable and protect the gun, yep.

But I suspect some of the reasons that many of us favor leather over Kydex is that we appreciate a classy, quality, fitted look ...

Since I have started making my own holsters, and thus deciding how much detail to bone into them or not, I've come to the conclusion that highly detailed boning is like a varyation on traditional leather work or stampings. Call detail boning the new basket weave or sheridan carving. I admire it for the work required but it is not everyones fancy. I like all 3, or I should say all 4. Plain / smooth, basket weave, Sheridan, and Detail boned.

It looks great, no doubt, but functionally, highly detailed molding to every contour of the gun is superfluous. As long as the gun doesn't slip around in the holster, yet still allows a smooth draw without excessive effort, that is sufficient. I'm very pleased with this High Noon "Public Secret" IWB for my CZ75D Compact:





Its retention, which can be "fine tuned" with the tension screw, is enough so the gun doesn't slip around while inside it and will even hold the gun when turned upside down, yet the draw is easy. The smooth outer contours are comfortable against my body with less poking, prodding or gouging, which is important because of where I wear it:



The bottom line for me: nice but not necessary.