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

[Johnny McCrae]

For the past three years I've been using a cross-draw setup with .38 special 1873 SAA pistols in a 7-1/2" barrel length. I've purchased a USFA and a Great Western II 1873 SAA's in .45 Colt in 5-1/2" barrel lengths. I want to switch over to a right hand/left hand strong side rig.

I'm in the process of developing a rig that will be easy to draw and holster the pistols with and yet be period correct. Right now I'm making a series of practice holsters and trying different designs. This one is a Mexican Loop with the pouch dropped a bit and a slight barrel forward cant. I have found some Holsters in Packing Iron with slight barrel forward cant's.  Attached are some pictures. One shows the holster before dyeing. The second shows the holster after soaking in the dye for twelve hours and the first coat of Neet's. The last picture is of the completed Holster with two coats of Neet's and two coats of Skidmore's. One of the things I really like about this method of dyeing is the ease of use and the evenness of the color one gets. I must say that the Holster does not start to look good until you get to the final finishes.

I 'm not sure yet if I'll end up with a Mexican Loop style or Slim Jim style.

Ten Wolves has been a big help to me on the use of Walnut Dye's and we have had many conversations on this subject. Each particular hide seem to take on it's own appearance after dyeing. This used to be an issue with me. Ten Wolves and I have talked about how appearances can change from holster to holster. We agree the "no two holsters looking the same concept" is the charm and uniqueness of the custom hand made leather work we all do.

As I've mentioned, one big advantage and benefit from making one's own Leather is the ability to design and experiment. You can get a rig tailored to your own taste and requirements.

[Gun Butcher]

  Johnny, that looks great. Working with natural dyes has made me nervous more than once but you are right about not knowing what you have until you are finished. The outcome is usually worth the trouble and it looks like that is the case with yours. I really like that color you ended up with and your design and stamping is first rate.
Thanks for showing use a little bit of the process. It really helps.

[Kid Terico]

Johnny M I think your definately on the right track. Thay color is great. nice job.  KT

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

 Howdy Johnny

     Nice explanation of the process , and the photos show the different steps involved, keep us up to date on your progress with developing a new rig for yourself. Johnny, this is information a lot of pards will appreciate, the beauty of using natural dyes is as you said, the color is uniform and has a beauty you just can't get from a bottle, you can make new gun leather and still have the look of old, I fine I'm using this type dye for almost all my work today, unless some one request something different, and like you said each hide is a little different, varying the amount of hours the leather is in the dye, and the amount of coats of Neatsfoot oil or EVOO, you can really create your tone/shade/color, if you wanted to do some deepening of the color, you can mix a little Fiebings Walnut stain with either oils and use this in areas that you want a little darker, the oil will darken too, but the stain will also add something nice too, and of course you're not limited to these things, you can also high light with reg. dyes too, but the best part with the natural dyes is you really don't need anything else, just oil and finish.
   We'll look forward to seeing your new rig when finished, I know it will be a nice one.

                                       Regards

                                  tEN wOLVES  

[cowboywc]

Howdy JM
That is good lookin.
Coloring leather can be one of the biggest pains there is. I tell all my students it is one big crapshoot. I wish I had the time to play with the natural dyes but from a business standpoint I can't waste that much time.
I've been very lucky when making custom items for customers that require many pieces of leather that the colors have come out a close as possible.
Keep up the great work.
WC

[Marshal Will Wingam]

The knife sheath looks good, AC. That'll look good with the rig. Good work.

Very nice dye job, JM. I like that color with the spots. I like the color without 'em, too. Those natural dyes just look good. No getting around that. I kind of like the crap shoot. The natural dyes have a luster that looks fine no matter what the final color is. That rig will be outstanding when you get it done.

[santee]

Awesome Johnny. Really liking that color, too.

[Wiley Desperado]

Johnny, the design of that holster is very good looking forward to seeing the whole rig.  Knowing your work that rig is going to be a beauty.  One of these days I am going to have to try a natural dye, from what I've seen you and other do, it really turns out purdy.

Here is the knife sheath for that rig I showed a few days ago.

Wiley

[Dr. Bob]

Wiley, I'm sad that I don't live close enough the give you the highest flattery!  The highest form is flattery is theft!   Looks GREAT!!  Ya done real good there!

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

  Wiley, your sheath is beautiful, it will look great with that new rig, and the color is nice too,

         Regards

        tEN wOLVES 

[Kid Terico]

Wiley nice sheath. You done yourself proud. KT

[JD Alan]

Wiley, great looking sheath, especially the color.

WC, I understand what you are saying, but if color is a Crap Shoot, then your sure know how to throw the dice!

[Dave Cole]

Nice sheath pard.Dave   

[cowboywc]

Howdy Wiley
That is a mighty fine sheath.
WC

[cowboywc]

Wiley, great looking sheath, especially the color.

WC, I understand what you are saying, but if color is a Crap Shoot, then your sure know how to throw the dice!

Howdy JD
After all these years the one thing I know for fact about coloring leather is don't count on it.
WC

[JD Alan]

Boy have I learned that one!

[Johnny McCrae]

Howdy Wiley,
Outstanding job job on your sheath! That's a nifty design and it gives the Sheath a great look. Many thanks for sharing it with us.

Just a note on the last Holster I posted... I tried it out and it did not turn out or function the way I wanted it to. The pattern was made for a barrel forward cant but actual Holster turned out to be vertical. It's back to the drawing board. I'm going to make a pair of Slim Jim's next with a barrel forward cant and a longer belt loop. This is the beauty of doing one's own Leather. You can keep trying until you get it right.

[Gun Butcher]

Wiley thats a great looking sheath. The color came out real good.

[Wiley Desperado]

Hey all you good cowboys thanks so much for the nice comments on the sheath.  Dr. Bob if theft is the highest form of flattery, then the thought of theft is a great compliment and I appreciate it pard.  I certainly agree with everything that is being said about coloring leather.  I hold my breath everytime I start to dye something wondering whats going to happen. 
Wiley

[JD Alan]

I posted a picture of this spotted holster last week before any finish, it that's what it could called was applied. If you like a funky finish, then this is your holster!. I did this one to try to improve on spot setting, preparing for a 1911 holster I've got plans for soon.

The black one is another test, to see how a friend's STI 1911 would fit, and how he likes the cut of the holster. It fit like he wanted, so I'm going to build one that will go on his Mernickle buscadero rig. I'm going to try to make the 1911 holster look as close as I can to the existing SAA holster, complete with 5/16 spots.

I discovered I could not buy a 5/16 spot setter locally, so I ordered one from Standard rivet Co. along with some of their spots. They should be here by Friday.

I'm not at all happy with the look of "Spotty" but the black one is not too bad. I did learn some things from the spotted one, so I'm glad I made it.