straps, dying finishing and keeping FLEXIBLE

[Huntbuck]

Ok, I need some advice... I made a few straps for holsters and sheaths with no issues... BUT... last week I made a knife sheath and the straps dried so hard and stiff they were unuasble... I think I know the problem... I used spirit dye and in heavy doses... dried the leather... so much that neatsfoot would not recondition it..... SO...

Can sombody tell me how to get those nice FLEXIBLE dyed straps that I see on all your projects...

I have been using fiebings spirit / oil dyes and finishing with their acrylic topcoats.. any pointers would be greatlly appreciated... this one has me major frustrated...

I have some eco flo that I am thinking of using just because it is water based and may not hard form the straps..

Thanks in advance...

[pete]

I mix all of my dyes with Bick's #4. Mixes great, doesn't streak, and stays soft. Ends up softer than the original leather.

Call or email Kevin at Springfield leather for it or check out your local shoe repair stores

pete

[Huntbuck]

Thanks Pete, I will look it up... Buckles and snap straps cracking are not a good thing... ran out of my ancient supply of dye and opened some new stuff, not sure what was in the old bottle, but it definately did not give me this issue... I will look into the bicks...

[MADMAX22]

I usually give them a shot of oil front and back. Once they sit over night I run some sno-seal on them and let that work in overnight then seal them up. Allways seems to work very well.

I think picards and bees natural are similer to the snoseal so you could try one of those also.