Distressed Finish

[DanTheMan]

I am making a sheath for an old knife and I would like to have a distressed look. I searched and read several threads about distressing the leather, but would like to know if there are finish products for this. I have skipped deglazing in the past and ended up with an old/distressed look. Is there any way to make this a little more extreme? Any tips are appreciated.

[electrathon]

When I have made things that I want to look old/ weathered I tend to be less carefull on application of dye. I tend to intentionally be more sloppy so there will be darker and lighter areas. Sometimes I will rub it with a scotch brite pad to wear off the edges a little. Sometines just bending and flexing it works. Basicly you are trying to put 15 years of wear into about an hours time.

Aaron

[DanTheMan]

Thanks for the tips

[Cyberthrasher]

Ditto electrathon. I especially like applying a base color then going over the top of it hap-hazardly with a darker color and then wiping it around to look like it's been worn off. You can also throw some thinner at it, let the dog take it for a pass around the yard, beat it with a chain for some random marks, hit it with a buffing pad on a dremel in several odd spots and let it really work in without moving it around too much.

[DoubleC]

Oh yes, distressed is the most fun. I walk on the flesh side and put the grain side down in the parking lot. I make 'strapy' things. so I whack it wet against the tree. Then I sand part of the finish off. Talk about your stress relief AND nice finish :-) Roll the flesh side in toward the grain to get the wrinkles. I could go on but I think that's enough :-) Cheryl

[Sylvia]

Do anything that you would normally be horrified about. Scratch the leather, poke at it, turn it upside down and jump on it in the gravel... roll it , oil it, drip dye on it. Sand it, beat it with a stick (or one of the meat tenderizer hammers.

Then dye it... and sand, beat, and roll some more. Put shoe polish on it... and scrap it back off. LOL it's a fun but LONG process... take your time.

[DanTheMan]

Thanks for all the info!

[ItsJustNC]

And if you wanna give them a unique makers mark. Dip you hand in dye and smack it right on the leather. I've done it before.! Pretty fun.! Just make sure you dont have any biometric locks around the house.