New to CAS and Gun leather

[Whiskey James SASS#85199]

Hey All,

I'm just getting into CAS and the gear needed.  I've been doing Medieval leather work for quite a while, but holsters are new, and a challenge.

I've finished a few holsters that I'll post pics of later tonight.  I have a few questions. 

I've always used Pecards as leather treatment which has worked well, but I don't know what is best for the inside of the holster for the guns sake.

I'm using Will ghormley patterns.  For the skirt holsters which seem to be the most common, I did my edges, dyed, wet, fit into skirt, then fit to gun.  Wetting after dying seems to give it a nice "used look", which I don't mind.  Does this sound right?

I'll try to get some pics on here in a bit.

Thanks everyone,
Andy

 

[Ace Lungger]

Howdy Andy, 
Welcome to CAS leather forum! You won't find a nicer bunch of pards than there is on here! First off I am a newbie and there are a lot more quilified pards on here to give advice than me! But I will give it a shot!
I don't have a clue what  Pecards  is? So I will tell you how I do mine! Once I have dyed my leather and it is dry, I apply a couple of good coats of Gum Tragacanth which will make the flesh lay down smooth, after the last coat of that has dryed, I will apply a good coat of 100% pure neatsfoot oil, a lot of people use Lexol, but I didn't have any when I started, so I did some history reeding and came up with my meathod! After I have put 2 coats of neatsfoot oil on, I have a mixture of bees wax and neatsfoot oil, what it looks like is just a heavy thick neatfoot oil, I rub in a good coat of that, and I try to rub it in good! Then i put a light coat of EVOO on it and my inside is done!
I hope that someone will jump in and tell you the right way, but this is how I do it, and I havn't had any problems.
Latter
ACE

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Welcome, Andy. It's good to see new pards on here. Recently, I've been using EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) and lexol conditioner on my holsters. I can't say it's better than other products but it's what I use. Others should have some input on this for you. Here's a link to a thread on caring for leather. It should be useful. http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,10067.0.html

Here's a link to our FAQ thread that has links to the most useful threads we've had on the forum. http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,13207.0.html

Looking forward to your pics and posts.

[RollingThunder]

Good links there, Andy. I use Neatsfoot and EVOO almost exclusively for base color on leather. And then MAYBE a little dye for a tint or shade, here or there. They turn out well enough. I use Fiebings Leather Sheen lately for finish. Buffs up really nice.

That's just what I use, though, I'm sure lots of guys on here have lots of great ways of turning out lots of great leather.

You SHOULD post your holsters when you're done, but it would be even cooler to see some of the medieval leather too!

Welcome aboard! This is probably the most inviting and thoughtful bunch of folks you'll even meet, guaranteed!