Dye and Rawhide question

[Hedley Lamarr]

Got some new holsters.
They use a strip of rawhide around the lip to keep the holster open.
Don't like the color of raw rawhide.
I got some black Fiebing's oil dye left over from another project.

Will rawhide take oil dye and stay?
If so, any hints of how to prep and complete the job?

Thank you kindly,

Hedley

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

Hedley......if you are talking about true rawhide, (white)...and not the Flint rawhide (sorta yellow/greenish in color) yes it will take dyes just like any other leather.

Depending on where it is going on the holsters, you may want to dye it before you sew it to the holster.

The flint hides that a lot of people use to make drum heads IS rawhide that is not finished, and drum heads is about the only thing it is good for. If you look at old Indian Parfleches they were almost always made with the white rawhide.

If what you've got is the flint hide...use it for something else or throw it away. Get you a piece of the white and use it, you won't regret it.........Hope this helps.

If you can't find the white.....let me know how big a piece you need and I'll send it to you.

Bill

[ChuckBurrows]

With respect - any rawhide will take dye and leather dye will work, but not to the degree it does on leather - it's best to dampen it first if possible and then dye. Once dry it's best to seal it - the old timer white folks used spar varnish, but any good leather finish will work such as Tan Kote or Neatlac.  Take a look through the CactusRose and WildGoo galleries on my website and you'll see a bunch of dyed rawhide on the sheaths.

And with respect Bill - I've seen lots of western rawhide both white and NDN and far from all was white - saddle trees and such were often made from green hides that were only processed in so far as removing the hair.

[Hedley Lamarr]

It's already sewn on the completed holsters, and the color is a very light yellow - like slightly aged ivory.
There is a part that is hidden behind the holster body so I'll try there first and see what it looks like.

Thank you both.