Test Carving in Tandy Black Hide

cowboywc · March 30, 2010, 12:41:01 PM

Quote from: Slowhand Bob on March 30, 2010, 06:50:14 AM
WOW WC, you done much better than I have been able to with the pre dyed leathers. I used the stuff to make quick low priced belts, accs and holsters and they were left plain with little to no embellishment. In the $30 to $40 dollar per holster range they were excellent and looked nice but far to hard to upgrade, wouldnt even hold glue for lining. I think the problem is that these are dipped in a vat that contains dye and sealer, after which it is wet rolled under pretty good pressure to give it a burnished appearance and reduce noticeable skin flaws.

Howdy Bob
Mine was lighter on the Grain side too til I add the brown oil to hide the flesh in the cuts.
You have to rough up the flesh to get the glue to stick.
WC

cowboywc · March 30, 2010, 12:42:42 PM

Quote from: Arizona Cattleman on March 30, 2010, 06:52:30 AM
WC thats is a fantastic lookin holster. The tooling is top notch as usual. My hide the rough side is as black as the front. I see that your brown is not as dark as the front. I guess each hide is different. I aspire to your level.......

AC

Howdy AC
Each hide is a bit different. As I said in the other post they were close til I added the oil.
WC

cowboywc · March 30, 2010, 12:44:34 PM

Howdy JD
Yes that is Will's stamp.
You just keep poundin on that dead cow and you will get there.
WC

JD Alan · March 30, 2010, 05:16:20 PM

Thanks WC!

Arizona Cattleman · March 30, 2010, 09:00:50 PM

Thanks WC, will rough it up first. JD, this is going to be a buscadero pattern from F.O. Baird. However I am going to use Hopalong Casidy holster for its inspiration. There will be carving on the belt with white lace on the edges and on the holsters, white leather cartridge loops with fake silver cartridges, hearts on the holster straps, Large fake silver 3 piece buckle, and lots of chrome spots in various sizes. Very ambitious project, but am lookin forward to starting the design prep. If I can find a good pic of the Hoppy Rig I'll post it.

AC

Arizona Cattleman · March 30, 2010, 09:28:25 PM

Here is a couple of pics of the Hoppy Rig.....

JD Alan · March 31, 2010, 02:29:37 AM

Well AC, I've no doubt you can do it, and will do it correctly. If you got that pattern at Tandy I have the same one

WC set me up with a Tandy place in Fresno to buy a double shoulder in drum dyed black. My local stor only has a couple of pieces, and they were in just poor condition.

Thanks WC, it shipped today. They were quick, and very reasonable. I talked with Chris who was very helpful

ChuckBurrows · March 31, 2010, 03:09:46 AM

You can get drum dyed sides and shoulders from Wickett & Craig in black, brown, and chestnut - they tool just fine and have not been plated or slicked........Back when I was making LEO and tactical gear I used quite a bit of it.....

JD Alan · March 31, 2010, 09:24:08 AM

Thanks Chuck, I did think of Wickett & Craig. I have purchased one side from them so far and it was a nice one, even at the cheapest grade. The next time I'm going to go up a grade though.

Since WC knows these guys real well, and they had a piece like they sold to him for 80 bucks plus shipping I thought I would give it a try. That's for 15 feet.

We'll see how it goes!

Marshal Will Wingam · April 01, 2010, 12:39:37 PM

Wayne, that pre-died holster came out great. Nice work.

AC, you did Hoppy proud with that one. Looks good.

Arizona Cattleman · April 01, 2010, 07:33:43 PM

Marshal, thats the real Hoppy Rig. I just posted pics to show what my inspiration will be for my version of the Hoppy Rig. I'll post my progress as I do my version

AC

Marshal Will Wingam · April 01, 2010, 11:35:57 PM

LOL, no wonder it looks so much like the original.

JD Alan · April 02, 2010, 01:18:51 AM

I went to my local Tandy and looked at what they had in the way of drum dyed double shoulders, and frankly they looked pretty poor. I called WC to see if he had any, and he suggested that I call the Fresno Tandy store, so I did. I spoke to Chris, because WC had already spoken to them for me.

I bought a black double shoulder that looks fantastic on both sides, the best looking piece of leather I've ever purchased, period. It arrived in two days via UPS for about 12 bucks shipping. I haven't decided what I'm going to do with it yet, but I'm sure I'll figure out something!

Thank you WC!

cowboywc · April 02, 2010, 04:22:25 AM

Howdy JD
I'm happy to help anytime.
WC

Johnny McCrae · April 02, 2010, 08:32:57 AM

Howdy AC,
This is a great topic and it resulted in a a lot of good information. It sure got me thinking. Many thanks for posting this.

JD Alan · April 02, 2010, 09:04:45 AM

WC, did you line that holster you made? Normally 8/9 oz leather is a little light for my preference on holsters, but I haven't used drum dyed leather before. Is it going to be a little stiffer than regular veg tanned? Can this be wet molded? As long as the mouth of the holster stays open well that's all that really matters to me.

If I want to use spots I know I will have to line it. If I wanted the liner black as well, do you think it would be advisable to dye the liner before hand? I don't know what black dye would do to the looks of the already dyed leather.

Thanks, I appreciate the advice very much.

If anyone else wants to chime in with their experience I would be glad to hear from you

cowboywc · April 02, 2010, 02:06:43 PM

Howdy JD
I did not line it. It was just a test to see how it carved and molded. It holds shape real well.
I did not line the black holster. It was not as firm as the brown one, but it does hold it's shape.
I don't dye my linings. I will darken them with oil and sunshine.
WC

JD Alan · April 02, 2010, 02:21:42 PM

Thanks WC, I do appreciate your experience and time. JD