Skidmore's & Neet's

Johnny McCrae · August 24, 2019, 05:53:38 AM

Normally I wouldn't post a Holster like this. It's nothing fancy, just a gift for a friend.

When we moved to Florida I gave away my home brewed Walnut dye. This Holster has three coats of pure Neet's Foot Oil followed by two coats of Skidmore's Leather Creme. I was pleased with the results. Each coat was put in our warm Florida sunshine for several hours which seemed to enhance the color. The Skidmores's application also enhanced the color.

I have yet to set up an area for leather working and do my work in our kitchen. The War Dept. loves that.

Major 2 · August 24, 2019, 09:42:57 AM

That is a super holster ?.understated just like I like it

Marshal Will Wingam · August 24, 2019, 10:33:27 AM

Clean. Well made. Great color. What a fine holster. Nice work. I do like the color you got with that Florida sun, Neetsfoot oil and Skidmores.

Johnny McCrae · August 25, 2019, 06:21:12 AM

Many thanks for the kind words Gents.

I really miss my home brewed Walnut dye but I wanted to show an alternative and easy way of finishing a Holster. I would point out the first few coats of Neet's dried unevenly. Putting the Holster in the hot sun evened the color out. The Skidmore's gives it a final touch. One other advantage is that the colors with this method will not bleed unto clothing.

On another note, my bride and I are surprised how well we adjusted to Florida's hot & humid weather especially coming from Wisconsin.

Marshal Will Wingam · August 25, 2019, 09:04:21 AM

I find that sun curing always makes leather look better. Interestingly enough, though, it makes an uneven darkening with my walnut or pecan dye which does smooth out over time as the leather ages slightly from light exposure.

Cliff Fendley · August 31, 2019, 12:20:15 PM

Nice color Johnny. I've found even with the home brew walnut the color is much better if dried in the sun. Then the neatsfoot oil makes it really pop and all the shading comes out.

River City John · August 31, 2019, 12:35:16 PM

A plain holster means business, a fancy holster is just vanity.

Nice work, Johnny.

RCJ

Capt Quirk · August 31, 2019, 03:24:53 PM

Quote from: River City John on August 31, 2019, 12:35:16 PM
A plain holster means business, a fancy holster is just vanity.

Nice work, Johnny.

RCJ

I just found out about "Barbecue Guns". They seem to be a thing here. I'm going to be making a 1911 holster for a fella's "Barbeque Gun". Just a way of showing off, and as a "Holstier", I can dig it.

Johnny McCrae · September 01, 2019, 07:58:24 AM

Many thanks for the kind words Gents.

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · September 01, 2019, 09:41:52 AM

Nice looking holster Johnny, and the color looks good too, but I do know how you feel, about having your own brew, I feel the same way, not hacinf a black walnut tree to get my green hulls from, hurts, but then nothing is forever, and maybe some day we can find a new source for green nut hulls again, I'm looking forward to that...

tEN wOLVES...

River City John · September 01, 2019, 12:13:34 PM

I've heard about walnut dye.
Having one in my front yard, has anyone tried buckeye seeds? I know they oxidize rapidly to black upon exposure to air.

RCJ

1961MJS · September 01, 2019, 01:59:28 PM

Hi John, it seems that the Butternut tree is part of the Walnut family, at least according to Wikipedia.

Later

River City John · September 01, 2019, 04:44:57 PM

Aesculus glabra is the Ohio Buckeye.

Walnuts are in the species Juglans, not related.

Both produce tannic acid, though.

1961MJS · September 04, 2019, 10:02:10 PM

Sorry John, I was surprised to see Butternut with Walnut and got all screwed up.

Later

Major 2 · September 05, 2019, 03:38:49 AM

Skidmores is my go to finish on the gun grips I make. '
Fine sanded then exclusively as a stand alone finish applied in several coats , it leaves a fine oil like finish ( water resistant )

Ive used it on Walnut , American Holly ( Derringer grips ) and Maple box

Marshal Will Wingam · September 05, 2019, 10:49:29 AM

Quote from: Major 2 on September 05, 2019, 03:38:49 AM
Skidmores is my go to finish om the gun grips I make. '
Fine sanded then exclusively as a stand alone finish applied in several coats , it leaves a fine oil like finish ( water resistant )

Ive used it on Walnut , American Holly ( Derringer grips ) and Maple box

I wouldn't have thought of using Skidmores for that. I'll have to play around with that a bit. It might be good for many things. Guitar necks, for example. Maybe even an electric guitar body. I have one in progress and will experiment with one of the drops from cutting the shape on the bandsaw. Thanks for the tip.

Edit: are you using the cream, conditioner or beeswax waterproofing? Thanks.

Johnny McCrae · September 05, 2019, 12:08:36 PM

I also use Skidmore's Leather Creme on gun stocks and gun grips. Attached is a picture of an 1873 Uberti Winchester. I stripped the factory finish off and applied several coats of Tru-Oil followed by Skidmore's as the final coat.

Mogorilla · September 05, 2019, 12:52:57 PM

Hey River City John,
Not sure how closely related Buckeyes and edible Chestnuts are, but they look a lot alike. I have made a very pleasant dye out of they spike part of a chestnut. If you look back in topics it goes through how I did it. Not bad once I did not have to touch the spikey critters. I do like the color. I am making a full set (Belt, holster, sheath and pouch for a friend). He wanted the chestnut dye after seeing other things i have done.

Marshal Will Wingam · September 05, 2019, 01:52:09 PM

Johnny, that rifle stock looks great. I like the oil finish look.

Mo, your chestnut dye is nice. It's similar to that pecan dye I made one time.

Capt Quirk · September 05, 2019, 01:54:45 PM

Just curious, how do you more experienced leather workers feel about shoe polish as a top coat/ sealer? Most folks that buy holsters from me, really don't have a clue about leather care. So, I have started to finish some of them with a matching paste wax shoe polish. It is easy to find, and most men have shined a pair of shoes before.