About

Karla Van Horne (aka Purdy Gear) brings over 55 years of experience to her work. She remains in business, albeit somewhat slowed down by a nasty fall — broken femur, torn meniscus, broken arm, messed-up shoulder — definitely the acts of an over-achiever!
 As a result, she has gone to an “Available Now” format which allows her to complete work at a comfortable pace and to tackle projects left too long on her personal and creative back burners.
Karla is not just a maker of beautiful holsters. Her's are renowned for their fit and ergonomic excellence. She is among the most respected of carvers and leatherworkers and is the recipient of the 1989 Al Stolman Award, the youngest recipient to be honored.
She is not only capable of creating museum-quality historical holsters and belts but modern, personal carry types as well.