History

Gene “Mean Gene” Higdon Biography

Born in CA in the early sixties Gene was born to a hard working family serving the commercial construction business, Gene spent his early manhood working in the High-Power line construction in Kentucky and Oil Fields “roughnecking” in South TX where he achieved a certification in Level III Ultra Sonic’s in oil field inspection and also operated heavy equipment in the construction and mining segments. Gene’s family also raised horses on a farm during this period.

Due to “two” bad automobile accidents in Alaska, Gene suffered major back and hip injury’s from both and had to move to less physical demanding career. During this phase “post-accidents”  in the mid-1980’s Gene began to hang around a local leather shop where the owner “Rob F. Roy” who was a master leather maker, Gene shortly began his leather making journey as a leather maker apprentice by working with boot & shoe repair in the leather shop. He then later moved to making saddles, chaps, belts, holsters and silversmithing. Gene also made sleighs and horse carriages. Gene completed his apprenticeship in the State of AK.

During the mid 90’s Gene and his wife Becky moved to North Carolina started “Frontier Leather and Saddlery” in Hubert, North Carolina located near “Flatwood Gun Range & Pub”, Camp Lejuene USMC area.

This is were Gene’s talent’s shifted to the “Tactical Gear” industry by helping two Marines who needed knife sheaths made. While making the sheaths they saw his sewing machines and asked if he could make ghillie suits for them also. The word spread quickly with the Marines of his capability and he began to work on other tactical gear such as packs and modifying nylon gear for 2nd Recon. This instant success in Tactical Nylon work became a problem quickly with his disability. 

To respond to the ever growing request for tactical nylon gear Gene’s wife Becky and a business partner founded High Speed Gear, Inc., this company operated under her control from 1999 – 2012 and Gene was the primary product designer during this period of HSGI. In 2012 Becky sold the company and Gene remained on as a consultant until the end of 2013.

In 2013 Gene and Becky purchased 15-Acres of land and officially started “AG Higdon, LLC” known by the DBA of “Mean Gene Leather”. Gene returned to his roots in leather making and launched his first leather designs the “Shooters Belt”, “Barbarian Belt” and the “Victory Aegis Belt”. He then branched out to other innovative products like the “Burrito®” a leather pistol magazine pouch and holsters then onto his now famous “Hot Tamales” leather coin purse. 

Gene’s unique approach to tactical gear design is un-paralleled in the industry regardless of nylon or leather. His work, quality and tireless attention to detail speaks for itself. Gene continues to be involved and support the firearms & tactical industry partners.