Extra virgin olive oil

[Pappy Hayes]

Will Ghormley's holster and belt patterns say that they were dyed with virgin olive oil. Has anyone on here used this? How is it applied? Do you apply it before the holster is stitched together? Is it applied to the outside only? Do you need to put something on it to seal it?

[saddlebuilder]

Howdy Pappy,

I use  mostly pure virgin olive when making saddles, gun rigs and such. 
How it reacts in color depends mostly on the leather, for example using a russet color...
I use it on tandy skirting leather it turns out almost dirty looking and oily.
On W&C it turns a golden color and gets mellower with each oiling.
If there is no dye applied, I oil after completion of holster, nice light to medium coats and let each coat dry before applying another, two or three coats should do it.
If it has any dye I have applied like an oil dye, then I give a nice coating of neetsfoot oil and let dry, before I use any oil dye.
Don't oil the inside area or you may have a problem with your adhesive holding when assembling.
After your leather has achieved the tone desired, use a leather cream like Skidmore's and buff out with a soft cloth after it dries.
Hope this helps.

[amin ledbetter]

I have used EVO on a couple pieces. I didn't take pics of them unfortunately. You apply in one of the methods saddlebuilder described, and for applications over just vegetable tanned leather with no dye, try three coats after assembly. Let each dry before applying the next. Then after the third, let the holster get a little sun light. The sun will give it a nice deep russet color over time. 

[Marshal Will Wingam]

In our FAQ thread, there's a link to a great discussion on caring for leather. Will Ghormley really explains EVOO nicely in it.

Caring for Leather