Austyn Report post Posted January 31, 2015 I've been wanting to make Natural colored leather belts. Should I use some type of conditioner on the underside on the leather? If what do I need and how should I apply it? Best, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ryan Barto Report post Posted February 1, 2015 I have made a lot of natural belts and the only time I do anything to the backside is if it isn't nice and clean when I buy it. I have purchased some hides from certain suppliers that needed cleaned up (stringy flesh sides) and for that I used gum tragacanth and slicked it with a metal spoon. I've heard a glass slicker would be better, but the spoon worked in a pinch. I try to buy hides that are already slicked though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thekid77 Report post Posted February 1, 2015 I've been wanting to make Natural colored leather belts. Should I use some type of conditioner on the underside on the leather? If what do I need and how should I apply it? Best, +1 to the gum trag for stringy flesh sides...you can use the smooth barrel of an ink pen to roll over the leather and lay those fibers down...glass works nice too....also, some people like to line the back of the belt with pigskin but just experiemnt....theres no right or wrong I have made a lot of natural belts and the only time I do anything to the backside is if it isn't nice and clean when I buy it. I have purchased some hides from certain suppliers that needed cleaned up (stringy flesh sides) and for that I used gum tragacanth and slicked it with a metal spoon. I've heard a glass slicker would be better, but the spoon worked in a pinch. I try to buy hides that are already slicked though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zuludog Report post Posted February 1, 2015 I make mostly knife sheaths from undyed veg tanned leather which is dull yellow or very pale buff coloured. When I have sewn & finished the sheath I soak it pretty well with leather oil and leather grease applied all over, including the inside, with an old toothbrush, and warmed & kneaded in with my hands This darkens the colour slightly to a sort of dull mustard or very, very pale tan colour, which I think is reasonably attractive. It must be, as other people have admired it and said it is a nice change from the more usual dark browns and blacks. After a while it becomes a bit more mellow and less harsh There is an colour change when you first apply the oil which you think is going to be a disaster; it results in darker brown blotches, but after 24hrs or so these reduce and even out to give the attractive overall colour Try it on a piece of scrap to see what you think Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tramps Leatherworking Report post Posted February 2, 2015 I've been wanting to make Natural colored leather belts. Should I use some type of conditioner on the underside on the leather? If what do I need and how should I apply it? Best, I use Fiebings Tan-Kote, works great --- It can be applied with a dauber or a rag. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites