Antiqued holster finish?

Dalton Masterson · April 02, 2008, 12:52:58 PM

I want to put a finish over the top of my Starr holsters, but want to keep it period correct, but not antiqued. Should I just use an oil over the top? Or use Satin Shene or something like that? Thanks. DM
(ps. this post has been edited after having more time to type)

HorsePen Henry · April 03, 2008, 12:55:39 PM

That's a nice lookin' rig, Dalton. I am curious as to what would be a period correct finish as well.
Olive Oil?
Neatsfoot oil?
I wish I could help ya neighbor!!
I use Neat-Lac on stuff! Rubbed in real good.
X Horse Pen

Dalton Masterson · April 03, 2008, 01:32:26 PM

Thanks HorsePen. I keep thinking olive oil woulld work, but dont wanna do it until I hear some other opinions. The cuts are raw leather, and I dont wanna darken them so much they dont contrast with the rest of the body. DM

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · April 03, 2008, 04:17:44 PM

Howdy Dalton

I think what ever you choose you will have to be careful not to darken your knife cuts , which oil can do ( IMHO ) , maybe some Bag Kote reduced to to 80/20 or 60/40 % WATER , I know Chuch Burrows uses this all the time, and it might not darken your knife cutts, you could try it on scrap.

tEN wOLVES

HorsePen Henry · April 03, 2008, 04:36:17 PM

Another idear came to me as I was looking through the previous postings on other threads here on the Leather Shop Forum. Someone mentioned using gum trag for finishing the inside of holsters way back when this forum first started. I am wondering if gum trag would be a good finish for this perticular set of holsters. As Ten Wolves suggested, I'd try this on a piece a scrap first ta see what it'd look like first.

X Horse Pen

Dalton Masterson · April 03, 2008, 05:10:53 PM

You know Horsepen, I could use gum trag on a brush to get it into the raw carving, then use oil over the top. That might protect the light color of the leather. Or wipe it on thick and wash it off the high parts like using an antique. Hmmm.

TWF, I will play with that option too. Will make me a scrap piece dyed and all, and see what happens. Thanks. DM

BTW, were they originally glossy, or just kinda flat way back when?

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · April 03, 2008, 08:09:32 PM

Howdy Dalton & HorsePen

I use Gum Traechanth all the time , but it is not a finish, and should not be look at as a finish, it is water solulable and when wet will wipe right off, but it is nice as a top coat and for burnishing your edges, but even doing this I always use some sort of finish coat. I can't get Bag Kote here in California,so I use Tan Kote mixed with distilled water at a 80/20 or for a little less gloss 60/40 I do this just to seal what I have done with the Gum Traecanth, you can also rub your edges with Bees Wax and a rum stick, I use a tine of deer antler, you can smooth the rough side of the holster with Gum Traecanth, and this really works well , but after it has dried you'll want seal it with Bag Kote or Tan Kote, if you don't want to do this you could use Skidmores Leather Cream, or oil , but the oil's will darken so have to use very light coats. You can also just leave the rough side the way it is and use a little conditioner, I like Lexoil for this, and also for after dyeing

Dalton I think you would be better off to use either Bag or Tan- Kote, and then a light coat of either Skidmores or Montana Pitch Blend, as a conditioner and protector from the elements, just make sure you let the lether dry compleatly between these treatments, Like I said earlier do it all on scraps first , your holster and gun belt are too nice to have things go wrong now .

Talk to you later

tEN wOLVES

Dalton Masterson · April 03, 2008, 08:47:02 PM

Ten Wolves, I think the Lexol will work.
I use gum trag to smooth the inner parts, but use edgekote for my edges. I do agree that it is not a top finish. It gets real slimy quick in the rain!
Thanks. DM

HorsePen Henry · April 04, 2008, 07:31:55 AM

Thanks for the heads up on the gum trag as a top coat. How about Neat-Lac? I have been here a short while but have not heard any recommendations or condemnations on that product. It's made of waxes and oils all mixed up together and has been a good finish for me. Have you all found anything better?

Of course, it will darken your cuts so I wouldn't recommend it for Dalton's latest holsters.

X Horse Pen