New Guy With A Forming Question

[Trout]

So, I've read tutorials and read online about working with leather, but never did it myself. So, I dropped the coin in order to start with making knife sheaths. I cut my shape from the leather 7-8 oz, then put the leather in water that was almost boiling, but not and had it in there for maybe two minutes. The leather curled along the edges and the water became brownish red colored. When I pulled the leather out, it was moldable, but not super limp. The leather hardened rather fast, but didn't dry nearly as fast. A day later, the leather still hasn't returned even close to the same color. Also, the shape I cut the leather was not the shape I pulled out of the water.

Ok, so. I have a feeling I did something wrong because the edges curled and the water turned colors - I'm assuming leaching something important into the water. And the shape of the leather was so distorted. I'd like to know if I did something wrong and what to do differently.

Note: I'm making a two piece leatherman sheath. The top formed, the second piece flat. I was planning on wetting the second piece and flattening it. The smooth side being the back side of the work. Because the first piece is so deformed, I'll have to cut it again/or grind it once attached to the top piece.

Your help is appreciated. Thanks.

[bison]

Hey Trout,

While you had the right idea about getting the leather wet, the hot water really isn't going to give you the effect you're looking for. Casing the leather is what you're looking to do and the best instructions for that are found in the first post when you click here.

When you case it, you'll be able to mold it. I cut to size after it's molded so I know I'll have plenty of leather to work with. One of the best respources you could find is Al Stohlman's book on making leather cases. Tandy or any leather company will sell it.

Good luck

Dave

[Luke Hatley]

you cooked the leather........in your case next time use cool tap water let it soak for about 1-2 minutes, then let it dry for about 3 minutes then start moulding.........

[Trout]

Did I ruin the leather by "cooking it" or will the leather function without any problems? Thanks.

I had read on casing, but it appeared to be for tooling the leather rather than molding it.

[bison]

Luke will know better than me, but I suspect you did ruin it. Depending on the thickness of the leather, I'll usually case before molding. But a thinner leather can be wet for a shorter period of time and then molded just as Luke suggested.

Dave