Holster #2 - for a CZ52.

[Littlef]

Here's my 2nd attempt at a holster.  I used Will Ghormley's Hand of God pattern for a 1911.  I made a welt to account for the tapered slide of the CZ52.  I made a toe cap, and I embedded a neodymium magnet into to add to the retention (I got that idea from road agent on youtube.)  .  I turned a 1948 Czech coin into a concho.  It was tough getting the welt lined up.  Next time time, I'll leave it proud and sand it to fit, instead of just trying to make it fit perfect on the first shot.  Its not perfect, but I really happy with it, being a pretty complicated design for my 2nd holster.  Let me know what you think.  Let the flames begin.

[Brokenolmarine]

I think it turned out really good.  I like the use of the coin for a concho.  Very nicely done.  A few minor mistrikes, but only another leatherworker is likely to even notice. 

[Littlef]

1 minute ago, Brokenolmarine said:

I think it turned out really good.  I like the use of the coin for a concho.  Very nicely done.  A few minor mistrikes, but only another leatherworker is likely to even notice. 

thank you sir.  I plan on using the same pattern to make one for my 1911, so this is kinda the trial run.  Slowly building the skills.

[JLSleather]

Overall, I like it.  Specially for a 2nd timer

Watch yer stitchin' (and groove), and maybe polish that edge a bit.  Pull the stitches with consistent depth / uniformity will make a huge (bigger than ya might think) difference in the finished look.  Burnish the bottom before assembly (between the holes used for the bottom needle which, by the way, is the same way I sometimes hold stuff together temporarily).

In other news... what's the 123 block fer  

[Littlef]

1 hour ago, JLSleather said:

Overall, I like it.  Specially for a 2nd timer

Watch yer stitchin' (and groove), and maybe polish that edge a bit.  Pull the stitches with consistent depth / uniformity will make a huge (bigger than ya might think) difference in the finished look.  Burnish the bottom before assembly (between the holes used for the bottom needle which, by the way, is the same way I sometimes hold stuff together temporarily).

In other news... what's the 123 block fer  

Thanks!!  All good thoughts.  I definitely struggle to get grooves cut at a consistent depth, and there were a couple places where the guide arm came away from the edge.   The Stitching was a challenge, especially through the welt and toe plug.  I really had to fight to get that welt stitched.  There were curse words a flying, but it was a good learning experience.  I tried to drill holes in the welt first, and I was then fighting to make everything to line up.  I wasn't fully utilizing the stitching awl in the beginning.  Next time instead of fighting the leather and needle to make the holes line up, I'll just punch through the welt with the stitching awl to fine tune the hole.   That's interesting you say I should burnish the bottom before assembly.  I've certainly never done that, but I'll give it a try next time.   --regarding the 123 block, I was using it as a squared edge to bump against the leather/welt and gauge when it was flush.

[chuck123wapati]

if you were going for rugged but beautiful you hit it dead on! That's a gorgeous looking western type holster imo. i never understood the huge welt some folks do however not that it matters.

[Littlef]

1 minute ago, chuck123wapati said:

if you were going for rugged but beautiful you hit it dead on! That's a gorgeous looking western type holster imo. i never understood the huge welt some folks do however not that it matters.

Thank you very much sir!  I don't think I was intending for rugged, but that's how it turned out.  I'm still refining processes.  I made the welt because I was having trouble with slop in the holster.  The pattern was for a 1911.  The CZ52 is very similar in size, but the slide significantly tapers towards the muzzle.  I couldn't figure out how to fix that, so I made the welt.  With the welt, it fits very securely.   

[chuck123wapati]

Just now, Littlef said:

Thank you very much sir!  I don't think I was intending for rugged, but that's how it turned out.  I'm still refining processes.  I made the welt because I was having trouble with slop in the holster.  The pattern was for a 1911.  The CZ52 is very similar in size, but the slide significantly tapers towards the muzzle.  I couldn't figure out how to fix that, so I made the welt.  With the welt, it fits very securely.   

Well you did a great job of it!! rugged isn't a bad thing at all quite a few folks like that look, I'm one of them lol. i could see that on any given day out here in my lil slice of the world. i would be proud as punch at that.

My only critic if you want to call it that, Burnishing and edge coat of some type  may be a thought for your next one, leave enough edge you can sand it out smooth and even, i use a cheap old belt sander for finishing the edges. sand just like wood but be careful of burning. 

[Bert03241]

I like it just as is. Every one strives for perfection but  I like Chuck like a rugged rustic look. Well done looks great .

[Littlef]

1 minute ago, chuck123wapati said:

Well you did a great job of it!! rugged isn't a bad thing at all quite a few folks like that look, I'm one of them lol. i could see that on any given day out here in my lil slice of the world. i would be proud as punch at that.

My only critic if you want to call it that, Burnishing and edge coat of some type  may be a thought for your next one, leave enough edge you can sand it out smooth and even, i use a cheap old belt sander for finishing the edges. sand just like wood but be careful of burning. 

Yea I agree. I sanded and burnished as best I could.  Next time I plan to give me more room on my stitch lines.  I was sanding down, and ran out of room.  I still might go back and apply a edge coat to clean it up a bit