YinTx

As always, just an amazing style. Awesome! YinTx

I tried to dip dye a leather leash, just ran it through, not trying to "soak it" at all, so maybe 2 seconds in the dye. Came out horrible, all blotchy and uneven as well. Was also disappointed with results, as I had also read that dip dye would resolve uneven issues and provide a deeper dye into the leather. I could definitely use some pointers here from those who have had success. I also did it with W&C leather, same results, so I don't really think it had to do with the leather this time.. more my technique. Wish I had photos of the leashes to illustrate the issue, but had to ship them off before I could even snap a cell phone image! Anyhow, the OP's images pretty much sum up my results as well... YinTx

Not sure from the photos, but that kind of looks like pores going completely through the leather....take a close look at it through a magnifying glass if you have one. I've skived leather before and exposed the pores, or what I presumed to be pores, that looked very similar to this, and on name brand leathers. I have not seen it on both sides though, so I'm curious if the holes go all the way through... what do you see when you dye the leather? YinTx

and P.S., I really don't like to leave negative comments about people or products... but that was going out there some saying how great these tools are and how they just keep going and going and stay sharp, when they don't stay sharp enough to edge one belt. Just upset me.

Yeah, I was seriously misled by Mr. Armitage as well, not happy at all with the Jeremiah Watt quick change edge tools. Will probably never buy anything from them ever again I was so unhappy. Not to mention my loss of faith in Mr. Armitage following that review - calls into question *all* of his reviews of any tool. I won't be taking his word for anything without checking elsewhere again I'm afraid. YinTx

JLS, Leather here is damp before I even put water on it, something to do with living so close to the ocean...bathroom towels never dry out. In the desert where I grew up, you were dry before you ever picked up the towel after taking a shower, so leather would dry out in a couple of hours easy, faster if you left it outside. I suspect the OP may have a similar situation... YinTx

Just curious, what kind/brand of leather did you use? Also, which section of the side did you use? YinTx

Thanks, Bikermutt. And actually, that is a very diluted mixture of 3 different dyes on the edge, then burnished with beeswax, to give it the slight color it has. This combo is growing on me, I might have to break down and make one for myself! YinTx

Lined and stitched by hand, using Campbell's Satin Laid Linen, beige thread. Wickett and Craig leather, dyed to match the wallet by request, which was made from Horween leather. Not an easy color to match! Plenty of errors.. got in a bit of a rush to complete... but I was able to get the bulk down where the belt retainer is... Enjoy... YinTx

SheilaJeanne, Thank you. The lined and stitched valet trays were done with eco flow dyes, worked into the leather as shown by the gentleman in the video. First time I ever used the dye, I just tried to apply it to the surface like an oil based dye, and it looked caked and terrible. However, after I learned to lightly dampen the leather then to rub the dye in and work it like oh... say, lotion, until it was absorbed by the leather, and wiped the excess off, and buffed dry, things began to look much much better, to the point that I really kind of liked it. Now that I understand how to use it, I can select what type of dye I want to use based on the product I am making. Venator, I can't imagine air brushing it, I'd like to see a video of how that worked and the finished product since you have had success doing it that way. YinTx

I am always amazed by your ability to manage such small details with so much attention. Extremely well executed, flawless! YinTx

Very cool style! I like it. Thanks for taking the time and sharing! YinTx

Is that W&C pre-finished leather? I have some and have considered it for a holster, but was under the impression that one should not use pre-finished leathers for holsters, as it may damage the firearm... I have never found anything to confirm one way or another, so was hoping you or someone following this thread might be able to educate me... YinTx

FYI, both the cream suede and red suede lined valet trays here were done with the Eco-Flo dyes, including the tooled leather inserts. I mixed the colors without any problem, and even lightened them up using the "Pull up Addititive." YinTx

I struggled with the water stain dye at first, this video really opened my eyes to how it works. As the gentleman says, it is not a pigment with a solvent carrier. This works entirely differently. I have also discovered that lightly dampening the leather accelerates the process and improves the end results. I have been able to get more even colored results with this dye than the solvent based ones doing it this way. YMMV, don't let others discourage you, you will find which dyes and techniques work best for you. In some cases you may discover you want different types of dyes for different projects, as I have. They each seem to have their places. I don't really buy into the environmentally friendly aspect, I am sure the manufacturing process isn't all that friendly, and instructions mention well ventilated area if I recall. Anyhow, Best of luck to you, YinTx

Also had one of these Pro-Cement Jars, worked well until I didn't have it anymore. You can replace the head of the brush, the whole brush, adjust it up and down so the rod doesn't sit in the adhesive, seemed to seal well, etc. http://stleather.com/2015-p38.html YinTx

Also, on not causing the threads from the can lid from seizing up over time, I read somewhere here on LW to smear vaseline on them, so I tried it. Works like a charm! Haven't had a stuck lid since. I've been using chip brushes, and smearing with an appropriately sized piece of stiff veg tan leather... working so far... YinTx

Those edges tho! Nice work all around, I really like it... YinTx

That is going to be the best Christmas gift ever, so much sentimental value in that, not to mention it looks great! Absolute kudos. YinTx

Man that is awesome! YinTx

That came out top notch! You should be happy with that for sure. Edges are nice, color is great, stitching is really good... great work! YinTx

MadMax, Agreed, the others look much nicer, but I make what the customer is willing to afford, and the last blue one sells for significantly less than the hand stitched 3 layer tooled and edge coated versions. Actually, so far, it sells, the detailed ones have not. I may try your ideas on a future version to get a block shape. I debated wet forming the veg tan one, but I didn't want to take a chance on messing up the dye job with water blotches, etc. I'll do a trial run and see how it goes. YinTx

Brown64, That blue leather is like an oil tanned pull up. I didn't think that could be cased? YinTx

Absolutely awesome. I'm always astounded. You've got those guitar straps down, I love them. Thanks for sharing! YinTx