Holster Dyeing & Condition

[paris3200]

I've been using Angelus dye to die my holster. In order to achieve the proper color that I wanted I had to dilute the dye with quite a bit of denatured alcohol. The only problem is that after dying the leather is extremely hard. I do know that I want stiff leather for holsters but I believe this might be too stiff. When I dye it and leave it to dry flat it actually curves up at the edges.

Would you suggest applying a small amount of oil? If so, what type?

[BOOMSTICKHolsters]

I really don't recommend using oil in a holster - normally it would hurt the retention qualities of the leather. I know you are trying to use oil to salvage a dry holster, but In my opinion, once the edges turn up like that it's too late. You could probably still make the holster look good, but you have most likely killed its service life.

Try diluting your dye with 97% Isopropyl Alcohol instead.

[paris3200]

Jeff,

If I understand things correctly the alcohol in the dye has stripped the natural oils from the leather. If so what would be the problem with replenishing the oils that we were removed with something like lexol conditioner or neats foot oil. I would think the problem with retention would be caused by over oiling the leather thereby leading to softening.

I'll give 97% Isopropyl Alcohol a try. I'm just curious as to the theory behind the whole no oil thing.

[Jordan]

From my limited experience, alcohol will harden leather or give you a pretty good headache if you use too much. As far as curling, I noticed it happening on a few items I have made, (usually when I wet the piece with water but let it dry before I could tool it). After a lot of thought I realized that leather I cut with the grain did not curl but when I cut the pieces across the grain they would curl. And oil will soften the leather and retention will be a problem after a while.

Edited October 10, 2008 by Jordan

[BOOMSTICKHolsters]

It is my understanding that the leather gets harder after loosing the tannins (sp?) when the water (or any other solution) evaporates. That is why it only shapes really well one time. The denatured alcohol probably displaces too much moisture, and evaporates so quickly it has a more drastic effect on the tannins as well (this is only my hypothesis, and I could be completely wrong).

The oils you would use to fix the problem are made specifically to soften and condition leather. The problem is, the oils will stay in the leather and keep it soft for a long time. If you do nothing to it though, it will probably crack prematurely because it is too dry. I would suggest starting over and chalking this up as part of the learning process (believe me, I have had to scrap plenty of holsters).

[paris3200]

That explanations makes perfect sense. I've got no problem scrapping a holster. If I did I would have given up a long time ago.