Birthday Belt and gifts

[Dwight]

A number of years ago I bought an acorn and oak leaf belt embossing pattern from Tandy . . . figuring I would make that belt for myself.

Fast forward 20 years or so . . . decided to make it for my son's birthday . . . plus I cleaned up a Ruger .22 pistol and holster that both went through a house fire.

These will be his birthday presents . . . 

May God bless,

Dwight

[PastorBob]

Very nice.  Glad you were able to salvage the pieces from the house fire.  Never used embossing wheel.  Looks great.

[TomE]

That's a nice looking belt!  What is your process for black dye?  I've been starting with dark brown followed by 2 coats of black.  I think I'm seeing a brown tint in the finished item viewed in sunlight.

[Dwight]

1 hour ago, PastorBob said:

Very nice.  Glad you were able to salvage the pieces from the house fire.  Never used embossing wheel.  Looks great.

Thanks, Pastor . . . for the kind words . . . 

Actually that was not done with an embossing wheel . . .  it is a little 10 inch or so piece of clear plastic that has the ridges that can be pressed into the dampened leather . . . giving the outline of the impression.  Then get out the swivel knife . . . mallet . . . stamping tools . . . and dedicate about 3 hours of your life and a pot of coffee . . . plus a half dozen little chocolate covered doughnuts to the process.

I'm not really very good at stamping . . . but I was happy with this one.

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited August 10, 2022 by Dwight

[Dwight]

44 minutes ago, TomE said:

That's a nice looking belt!  What is your process for black dye?  I've been starting with dark brown followed by 2 coats of black.  I think I'm seeing a brown tint in the finished item viewed in sunlight.

Thanks for the good words . . . the whole belt was first swivel cut and hand stamped . . . then I got my really little brushes out . . . and hand painted with Feibings black dye . . . all the very small areas surrounding the oak leaves and the acorns.

The two ends were then dyed with a small dauber . . . the two pieces were then glued together with Weldwood comtact cement . . . sewed . . . two coats of Resolene . . . 

May God bless,

Dwight

[TomE]

Thanks, @Dwight.  That’s a true black. Stohlman advised using a base coat of green or brown before staining black. You’re getting great results with black Pro Dye. 

[chuck123wapati]

great restore and great belt i that stitching makes it pop.

[bladegrinder]

Very nice Dwight!

[Dwight]

3 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

great restore and great belt i that stitching makes it pop.

Thanks, Chuck . . . I sat and pondered white or black stitching . . . finally decided I'd do it white . . .  if he wanted it black . . .  he can come down to the house and dye it to suit himself.

But after seeing the white . . . I think it'll stay that way.

Thanks for the good words, Bladegrinder . . . 

May God bless,

Dwight

[doubleh]

Will you adopt me? you give out good birthday presents. 

 

Nice work, both on the belt and cleaning up a very nice revolver and holster.