Leathersmiths.....show us yer stuff, (#1) THIS THREAD IS NOW CLOSED

Wiley Desperado · December 31, 2009, 07:35:53 PM

Dalton, Dave, TW, Johnny,WC, KT, GunClick Rick, Dr. Bob, Gun Butcher, Marshall. Thanks all you good cowboys for the kind remarks ya made my day gald ya'll liked the rig. Happy New Year!!
Wiley

JD Alan · December 31, 2009, 08:13:56 PM

Son of a gun Wiley, those are first rate holsters. The color is really amazing and the carving looks great too. All the way around a killer rig! JD

JD Alan · January 01, 2010, 01:23:47 PM

This is a practice holster on a number of levels. Thanks to the Canelo Kid for this pattern. I made the back a little wider than the pattern called for so I could practice putting on some spots. I realized after the fact that the stitching should have gone up higher, so that's another learning experience. I'm going to put a few stitches in between the first two spots to tighten up the pouch.

This is my first attempt at spots, and I learned a lot about it, with several mistakes. I'm not real pleased with the look; the size of the spots seem a little too big for the size of the holster, and they look too close together to me.

This holster spent a couple of days in a walnut dye bath, and now it's dry enough for some oil. This is the first time I've tried the walnut dye, so I don't know what to expect. I know I need to oil it and apply some Lexol or something like it. It is darker than the picture would lead you to believe.

If someone reading this with experience in Walnut dye wants to give me some advice I would appreciate it. I'm going for an older looking finish, so I'm not concerned about the bleed around the spots, but for future reference, would it make sense to put the spots on after the dye?

Believe me I recognize that this one is a little rough; I didn't spend the time to be real careful. Most guys don't post on this thread unless the project is done, but I'm looking for some suggestions, so I posted early. I didn't feel it warrant a thread of it's own. Any suggestions to help me improve are most welcome. I JD

A Special thanks to 40 Rod for this 1911 Model gun. Thanks Kid Terico for calling me with your excellent advice after seeing this post.

cowboywc · January 01, 2010, 01:58:22 PM

Howdy JD
I think you did a great job.
What size belt will it fit?
WC

JD Alan · January 01, 2010, 02:38:10 PM

Thanks WC. A 2 1/2 inch belt works fine. I've still got some work to go in finish & burnishing the edges. Hopefully it will improve the look.

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · January 01, 2010, 02:38:58 PM

Looks good to me JD, you did a nice job, spots are what ever you want them to be, that goes for size too, I do the spots first, then sew, then dye, then finish and burnish, depending on how strong your dye is, you can leave your leather in as long as you want depending on how much pigment you want in the leather, this can be as little as a few hours to several days as I do mine, once you take the holster out of the dye, you want to wet mold and then let dry thoroughly, apply some Lexoil conditioner and let sit for a couple hours, then do your oil and finish depending on what type finish you want. this is just my opinion and how I do it.

tEN wOLVES

JD Alan · January 01, 2010, 02:45:36 PM

I appreciate you sharing the way you do things. In talking to people about spots, it seems some guys apply them before dying the holster, while others wait until they've dyed the work. Evidently both methods work.

So 10 Wolves, if you put the spots on before you dye the holster, do you have problems with bleeding like I see on mine at this point? If so, what do you do about it?

Thanks very much, JD

Gun Butcher · January 01, 2010, 02:53:10 PM

JD, Ten Wolves is right spots are relative to the man that puts them on. Yours don't look bad at all and I have seen bigger ones on small rigs alot closer together than yours. You did good Parson. I actually like that style for the 1911 better than any I have seen.

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · January 01, 2010, 03:02:27 PM

Quote from: JD Alan on January 01, 2010, 02:45:36 PM
I appreciate you sharing the way you do things. In talking to people about spots, it seems some guys apply them before dying the holster, while others wait until they've dyed the work. Evidently both methods work.

So 10 Wolves, if you put the spots on before you dye the holster, do you have problems with bleeding like I see on mine at this point? If so, what do you do about it?

Thanks very much, JD

Most of the time when I do spots on the bucket its self, I do a lining, if you do this on an unlined holster you still want to do the top of the bucket because it's way to hard to put spots at the top of the bucket when the holster has already been sewed, the tines need to be punched down so that they don't lie above the surface of the leather, this helps in keeping the scratching down. I don't worry about bleeding, the natural dyes for me make the leather look old and used, which is what I'm after, I like this look and that's what I go after, as far as bleeding goes, after you do your oiling the leather will take on a whole different look, you just need to get your feet wet with this method, and I think you will learn to really like it, you can always add some Fiebing Walnut Stain and add some Neatsfoot oil to it to deepen the color where you want, the possibility's are endless for color. here is a couple holsters of Johnny McCrae, both done in natural dye.

Hope this helped

tEN wOLVES

Wiley Desperado · January 01, 2010, 04:17:42 PM

Thanks for the nice comments JD. I think your holster looks fine pard. The spots look to be a good size and the spacing is great. I really like the style it will look real good when you get it all finished. Remember there is only one rule in leathercrafting and that is there are no rules. I very seldom do anything the same way twice, hmmmm now I know my problem!! YEEEEHAAAA
Wiley

GunClick Rick · January 01, 2010, 05:27:50 PM

I like spots,i'd be proud to own that JD,glad to know a Pistol Packin Preacher too.The first thing i want god to say when i get to heaven is "45s isle 10----------->

Marshal Will Wingam · January 01, 2010, 07:07:38 PM

That holster looks fine, JD. A little dye and it'll really take on a patina. Those spots will add to the overall appearance. Good job.

Johnny McCrae · January 02, 2010, 01:57:50 AM

Howdy JD,
You did a great job on the 1911 Holster. I really like the design and how you positioned the spots.

TW is right on the money. Once you start applying the Neet's or EVO or Lexol you will be amazed how the appearance will change. Usually when I use Walnut dye I'll throw in a few scrap pieces of leather from the same hide as the unit I'm dyeing. I use the scraps to experiment with.

Attached is a picture of one that I used Neet's around the stamping to high light it.

Dr. Bob · January 02, 2010, 02:05:55 AM

Johnny M.,

That is one fine looking Slim Jim!! Ya done real good there! I like it a whole lot!!

Gun Butcher · January 02, 2010, 12:38:29 PM

Johnny, I like that one ,nice simple well thought out design on your stamping. It looks great

Kid Terico · January 02, 2010, 03:00:27 PM

JM nice job of oiling for contrast. I use it all the time. KT

Wiley Desperado · January 02, 2010, 07:44:11 PM

Johnny, just right well balanced good coloring very nicely done. Thanks for sharing.
Wiley

Dalton Masterson · January 02, 2010, 09:24:16 PM

JD, nice 1911 rig!! The spots look great too! A little bit of color and that thing will pop!
DM

Marshal Will Wingam · January 02, 2010, 11:38:04 PM

Johnny, that looks nice with the oil just around the border. How long does the neetsfoot oil stay at the border without migrating into the rest of the leather?

Johnny McCrae · January 03, 2010, 08:16:34 AM

Howdy Marshall,
On that one I put the accent oil on with a Q-tip just in the area I wanted to accent. I left it sit for a few minutes then wiped the excess off. To be honest, I never seem to get exactly the same results. I'm finishing another one now and I'll be posting it.