Double U Leather

Beng, Thanks for the nice words. Yes, the Neat Lac is the resist. I just dyed to edges before I Neat Lac'ed. I've learned a secret though. Olive oil, black dye, and Neat Lac don't work. The black smears. Dark brown is no problem. Hope this helps.

Here's a pair of bullridin' chaps fresh outta the shop. They're headed to TX to a college bullrider. Let me know what you think. Typical bad camera, but they turned out pretty okay.

I've been about to tear my hair out with black dye and rub off. I'd done alot of various items with initials, borders, etc. dyed black with no problem. At that time, I was using the aerosol Neat Lac that didn't require any wiping on. Then when Neat Lac became unavailable and I had to start using sheepskin to apply the LCI Clear Lac stuff, the problems began. I ruined more than one project that way. Then I thought I was getting impatient and not letting the dye dry long enough, so the latest project I let dry for 36 hours. Guess what....same result. Smeared black dye. Then I asked the question to a friend of mine who does alot of leatherwork what he thought. I believe I've now found the solution. I had been using Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Yesterday, I went to his shop and he lightly dipped a piece of leather in Neatsfoot Oil. Let it soak in about 2 minutes. Then applied black dye rather thick to a spot. Let that dry for about 2 minutes. Applied the Clear Lac and .....wait for it....NOTHING HAPPENED. No smear, no bleed, nothing. I think the secret is Neatsfoot versus Olive oil. I like the color the olive oil produces, but for things that need black dye I think I'll save the olive oil for salads. Just my 2 cents on the matter.

Interesting topic. I'm in the process of putting together a "real" type business myself, including tax licenses, etc. Since most of the things I do is centered around the western lifestyle, I wanted a name that sounded kinda "cowboy". My initials are W.W.W. I thought about maybe W squared or 3W or something like that. Nothing really jumped out at me. Then I thought I'd do a play on words if you will. And lo and behold, I came up with the name Double U Leather. Sounds kinda like an old ranch brand like the Double Diamond or something. I checked the web availibility, and sure enough, it was available. With that being said, I'm now Double U Leather dot com, and the site should be up in a couple weeks. I guess now I'm gonna hafta change my name on here too....LOL.

AAARRRGGGGHHHHHH....This makes my head explode! I'm just in the process of getting all of the "business" stuff put together at the request of my wife. I'd being doing my leather stuff as a cash only type thing forever. And now, she thinks that since I'm churning out quite a few projects of the upper end variety, I need to be "legit" in the eyes of the government. The good news is that she understands all of this COGS stuff and quarterly taxes and inventory and blah, blah, blah. I told her that since she understood that part, she was in charge of it! I would continue to take care of doing what I understand....beating on dead cows! Anyway, this is interesting stuff and I hope she will remain gung-ho counting the beans. I'm not really much of a bean farmer!!

Here's another belt out the door. Floral tooled, lightly oiled, mahogany antiqued. Pretty straight forward, but it sure looks nice. I hope the customer likes it. Let me know what ya'll think. Thanks for looking and stay blessed.

Thanks Dave for the kind words. I've seen your work, and I don't think you need much inspiration!! Thanks again for the compliments.

Here's another project out the door. It's the first ranger style belt I've made, and the first time I've used mahogany antique. I like how it turned out. I hope the customer is happy. As always, thanks for looking and let me know what you think. Stay blessed.

Thanks ya'll very much for the compliments. I'm truly humbled by the God given gift I've apparently been given. Double C....I've actually posted quite a few items on here. But, I haven't been tooling leather all that long. I guess 3 or 4 years probably with the Sheridan style. I can assure you, my early work was horrible at best...LOL. But, as for this headstall, it really is only the second headstall I've ever done, and the first with any kind of tooling. As always, when it was done, there were things I will change on the next one. Anyway, thanks again for all of your kind words. Stay focused and stay blessed.

Here's the latest project. It's a floral tooled, one ear headstall. It turned out nice I think considering it's only the second headstall I've ever built! I wish the camera was better. It really does look better in person. At any rate, take a look at it and let me know what you think. Thanks and stay blessed.

Jarrett....those are good looking belts. Nicely done.

Hey all.....thanks for the nice words. I really appreciate them. And, both customers really liked the finished products. Jimbob....I'm not even sure what type of antique I use (see, the leatherrookie name really does still fit!). I know it's not a paste. It comes in a bottle. Basically, the process is a light oil of extra virgin olive oil, double coat of Neat Lac, antique, rub off excess antique (and really rub it off til there's no more that comes up on the sheepskin), followed by Tan Kote. I hope that helps. Thanks again for the compliments.

Here's a couple belts I just finished. The one with MB on the tip turned out really sweet. I used a new pattern with some scrolls in it, and I really like how it worked. The other one turned out okay, but I sure like the MB pattern better. Let me know what ya'll think. Thanks for looking and stay blessed.

Yes ma'am, I do know Mickey. I haven't seen him for a few years, but I run across Josi every once in a while. He is sure enough salt of the earth.

Nice work. I'm sure Mickey loved them. He is a class act, as is his family.

CW....you made your boy a nice piece of wood. I hate to say it though, but you've made a horrible mistake. You've introduced your son to a lifestyle that will probably only mean Dad spending alot of money!! I did notice that you said he'd be able to rope a bull in it when he's older, so perhaps the road you've set him on is one of a working cowboy rather than a rodeo cowboy. My son got the rodeo bug at about the same age your son is, and I can tell you (after umteen horses, trailers, miles, etc) I wish I'd have taken him to a golf course...LOL. But, I like you, wouldn't have had it any other way. And, his calf roping and team roping abilities are paying for college in TX, so I guess it isn't all bad. Congrats on a very nice saddle and for being a very good Dad. May God richly bless you and your family.

Thanks everyone for the very kind words. The insides were a bit of a challenge, but with some help from a couple friends who are real leatherworkers, I got it figured out. MCN.....the edges are simple. It's just dye. I dye the entire stitch area up to the first part of the border.

Here's the latest. Got it done just in time for Christmas. It's the last Christmas order on the books. The customer was starting to get a tad frazzled that it wouldn't get done!! No worries. Anyone, for the first one, it turned out pretty nice I think. Let me know what ya'll think. May God richly bless each of you, and remember that Christ is the only reason for Christmas.

Thanks for the compliment Bob. Like I told John, it means alot hearing positive words from the masters like yourself.

They seem to be spread all over. There may be some sort of show in the Denver area at some point. You might try looking down at the bottom of LW and see what's available. I know there's an awesome show in Sheridan, WY in the spring time.

Michael, I've been a part of the NWSS for many, many years in various capacities, and to my knowledge there is no trade show strictly for leather workers. However, there are some booths that feature custom leather work, and some of those guys are pretty handy.

Thanks John for the nice words. It really means alot coming from a guru like yourself. Maybe one day, I'll at least be able to case the leather that guys like you and Hidepounder turn into works of art....LOL

Thanks for the kind words guys. I appreciate them. Mike...it just takes practice and time. I was fortunate to have a guy who is a real hand show me the basics. Take heart though. I've only been doing this type of tooling for about 4 years. If I can offer any help, feel free to send me a PM. Ben...thanks. I thought about changing it to "Dead Cow Molester", but that sounds wrong....LOL

Here's another rope can I just got done. This one is going to a Texas college calf roper that I know pretty well. Actually, I've known him since he was born. This is my son's Christmas present. I figured since he was roping like a pretty big time calf roper, he oughta have a pretty big time rope can. Hopefully, I did my part...LOL. Let me know what you think. Thanks for looking and stay blessed ya'll.

John, Just as I suspected....with the closeup, I can see you knocked another one outta the park. Nicely done. Stay blessed.