Hilborne

A Google search for "How to Blacken Brass" will get you started, but finding the ingredients could be a problem. So what I use was purchased at a local Wood Working store. They sell tools, hardware, etc. They also sell paint and varnish, and in that department I found a product called "Bass Darkening Solution" It is distributed by a company called WSI Distributors, located in St. Charles, MO. USA. It works real quick, less than a minute usually for me. I buy brass buckles, spots, rivets, etc form Tandy locally, and like most modern brass goodies, it is plated, and then sealed in a varnish or shellac. On a buckle the best way I have found to remove, and very quickly, was with elbow grease and 000 steel wool. Dip or paint on the solution, it turns black, and then buff and shine with brasso to my liking. I like things with an antique look, and just getting the sealer off with steel wool, and given some time and use the brass will take on a patina. Quick story about horse tack. In the USA as the West was being won, the Horse Mounted Calvary would ride out across our open country and their brass hardware and buckles would shine and reflect the sun and could be seen for miles away. Not good. The enemy would see them coming. So the calvary had a quick method of dipping the brass and making it black, and then could be polished again if necessary. Bad part of the story, I used to know what that method was, but can't remember, and the web site I found it on doesn't have that story anymore. So the local woodworking store came to my rescue. Andy

Marlon, Nice looking belt. I like the buckstitching. You said you used thin rawhide, is this something store bought, or did you cut it? I have some rawhide lacing I bought from Tandy, but it's way to thick for what I wanted for. Andy

You might have a look at "Track Of The Wolf" http://www.trackofthewolf.com/

Whinewine. " let it dry flat (outside on your deck or inside in the garage)" You guessed it is in a rolled up condition, and you are right. Here's the real problem, there is three feet of snow on the deck, and the garage is not heated and currently at -20F, so I'll just bite the bullet and lay it out down stairs. So to the bath tub, and then out to the garage to find my tin snips, they should warm up by the time it dries and I need some more. Thanks guys. Andy

Chuck thanks for the reply. I was looking at some of your work a while back and thought I should add rawhide to my collection. I've used the tin snips, but just thought maybe there was another way. I tried your coffee recipe yesterday and got good results. Would you share your secret on how you get the antique finish? If not I'll understand. Thanks. tashabear Thats doable, but I just need a square foot or so out of it right now, and I have no idea what soaking it every time I want a small piece will do to the leather. Andy

I have a piece of rawhide (cow) that I have been cutting small pieces off along the edge to experiment with. Now I want to get serious about using some of it and I'm looking for the right tool to cut it with. When it's soaked I don't have a problem, but the piece is too big to get in a bucket, and I only need a square foot or so. Thanks. Andy

(Can someone tell me what is in this picture that shouldn't be in this picture for this particular finish???) Looks like you marked stitching holes top and bottom and didn't stitch. Picture isn't clear enough, but maybe you even put your awl through them.. I've made that mistake and just got it wet with dye and used the tip of my deer antler to burnish it and the holes mostly disappeared, and left a decorative line. Concealed no one will notice. Andy

And another WOW! This is really neat. I'm trying to come with an idea to make my youngest daughter a small purse and this sure gets me thinking. I too would like to see some pictures from the back and side. Thanks for showing this. Andy

This is super. I'm about to try making one to use with a 9x12 sketch pad, and I'm curious how you approached the inside. Got any pictures of the inside? Andy

Clay, looks like everyone had fun. Rapid City and the Hills is my favorite area. Can you share where the picture of the buffalo came from, I need one like that. Thanks. Andy

Thanks for the comments. My mother purchased the knife in Bermuda late 1950's as a gift for me so I've had the knife for 50 years. Over the years it has had a lot of use and probably when I was younger a lot of abuse. It has made a good camping knife and has sentimental value. It was probably made that way, but when I got it out thinking of a sheath for it I questioned my own memory. In any event I think my next project will be a new sheath for it. Thanks. Andy

I have a 4 1'2" George Westenholm Sheffield hunitng knife that is in need of a new sheath. My question is the bolster appears to be bend backwards and I think it should be straight, or at a right angle to the blade, can I bend it back and if so how to do it with out breaking if off? Or should I just clean it up, put a new edge on it, make a sheath, and keep using it? Andy

I lurk on the forum alot and probably should butt in more often. A lot of top notch things posted here, but for some reason this one brings a tear to my eye. This is really nice. If you have some more work to post, I'll sure look at it. Thanks for posting. Andy

So I got up and went to Church this morning and look what I missed. So how about guys start a list and pass it on when your through with it. I'm interested. Thanks. Andy

Wow! This is really nice. I'm sure the customer will like it. It's a shame to make it so nice and then stick in your pants. Andy