Members Ja5on Posted November 8, 2014 Members Report Posted November 8, 2014 I found this old leather hatchet cover from my grandfathers house (who recently passed). As you can see from the photos, it looks as though it has some water damage. I Photoshoped his name out with the red just for posting purposes; he wrote his name with a black sharpie on the leather. My grandpa was a huge part of my life and I loved him very much. I want to keep this leather hatched cover as a reminder of him but Im not sure if I should try and repair it in any way. I want to keep it in its original state as much as possible. Does anyone have any ideas or advice?? Thanks! Quote
Members thekid77 Posted November 8, 2014 Members Report Posted November 8, 2014 I found this old leather hatchet cover from my grandfathers house (who recently passed). As you can see from the photos, it looks as though it has some water damage. I Photoshoped his name out with the red just for posting purposes; he wrote his name with a black sharpie on the leather. My grandpa was a huge part of my life and I loved him very much. I want to keep this leather hatched cover as a reminder of him but Im not sure if I should try and repair it in any way. I want to keep it in its original state as much as possible. Does anyone have any ideas or advice?? Thanks! it still looks like it's in great condition...just a few water stains....what does the inside look like? you may want a second, thrd and fourth opinion besides mine, but it the leather is really dry, you and apply a very thin coat of neatsfoot oil to the leather and that will help the leather keep from being dry and brittle.... anyone else chime in? Quote
Members Ja5on Posted November 8, 2014 Author Members Report Posted November 8, 2014 The inside looks good, no visible water stains at all. it does seem dry. Thanks! Quote
raysouth Posted November 8, 2014 Report Posted November 8, 2014 If you wish to improve the appearance of the hatchet case, I think I would begin with a good leather cleaner and then follow through with a very dark brown/chocolate or black dye. After that has been allowed to dry, then apply conditioner of your choice, to keep leather soft and pliable. If maintaining the case in the color it is now in, the above mentioned oil application may be something you wish to consider. A slight change in color may be experienced, darkening slightly, with any treatment you apply. I like the patterns that the water has produced and seems to give it an unusual but pleasant look. God Bless. Ray Quote
Members camano ridge Posted November 8, 2014 Members Report Posted November 8, 2014 Like Ray said if you want to dye it the dark chocalate will hide most of the water stain. However if you don't want to dye it. I would use a goood leather conditioner such as Skidmores leather cream, Montana Pitch blend, Aussie leather conditioner ect. It will darken the case slightly and it will hhelp even out the water stains. They will still be there but they will mellow out and be part of the character of the sheath. Anything you do will change the color at least slightly. The important thing is to get some nutrients back into the leather. The oil and or the leather conditioner will do that. Quote https://www.facebook.com/CamanoRidgeCustomLeather?fref=ts
Members Itch Posted November 8, 2014 Members Report Posted November 8, 2014 If it was me I would just put some Aussie Or Skidmores on it,and pass on the dye .. Quote Quality leather goods www.captain-itch.com www.Tennesseeholstercompany.com
Members wlg190861 Posted November 8, 2014 Members Report Posted November 8, 2014 What I would do is leave the cover the way you found it an apply a few coats of Aussie leather conditioner Quote
Members Ja5on Posted November 8, 2014 Author Members Report Posted November 8, 2014 Thanks for the thoughts and advice, I really appreciate it!! Quote
Northmount Posted November 9, 2014 Report Posted November 9, 2014 If you want to just remove the stains, try cleaning first followed by bleaching it with oxalic acid. Then add oils to condition it, and add what ever finish you want. If you want to keep his name (which I'm sure you do), keep the bleach away from that part. Tom Quote
Members JAZZMAN Posted November 9, 2014 Members Report Posted November 9, 2014 Hi Jason, i am new to leatherwork and so would not offer any technical advice with regard to treating the leather, i will leave that to the more experienced on here. However if i might be so bold as to tell you my thoughts on this. I collect old coins and in the coin world most collectors are against cleaning them myself included, prefering instead to have the grime and dirt that has been picked up from the many hands they have passed through some of it being a hundred or so years old grime, it is part of the history of the coin, and to remove it would be like wiping away the history of it. I feel that it is the same with your grandfathers hatchet cover the stains and grime are a direct result of your grandfathers labour and hard work , my opinion is that the only wotk that should be done to an item like this is work that would stop the item from deteriorating over time, like conditioning.Just my own thoughts of course.Peace. Quote
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