Carving &dying black or carving on black?

[8thsinner]

I recently mentioned maybe trying to get a new belt done.

I have sort of come up with a nice what I think is a really simple design (well I have the principle I want to use in my head) It's almost floral but not like a western floral pattern.

Anyway.

If I am wanting a black belt will it be easier to carve on the black, or carve on clean veg tan and then dye it black, according to what I have read here dying black is hard enough.

I am not sure if there will be a difference between the two with the end result and with each style I suppose you could find an expert but this will be my first attempt at carving anything. So if carving on black can result in lines just as clean I definately want to try it that way. Any tips?

I got myself a basic stamping kit, with what seems to be to me a large blade swivel knife, and about eight or ten stamps.

Also there will be elements of braiding involved, so how do you go about getting say two stems crossing over each other with like even tapers...

I haven't yet but will be looking over as many tutorials as I can closer to the time when I tackle this project so it's all fresh in my head but any other help will be much needed and appreciated.

[tashabear]

I recently mentioned maybe trying to get a new belt done.

I have sort of come up with a nice what I think is a really simple design (well I have the principle I want to use in my head) It's almost floral but not like a western floral pattern.

Anyway.

If I am wanting a black belt will it be easier to carve on the black, or carve on clean veg tan and then dye it black, according to what I have read here dying black is hard enough.

Carve, then dye. You want to see what you're doing. You'd only have to redye it if you dyed first, anyway.

[Big Papa Leather]

If your talking about the black heavy leather that you buy at Tandy or wherever, that is already dyed, NO do not buy this to attempt to carve. It not intended to be carved. It is already treated and will not case properly to carve.

I have had very good success with a smooth even coat of black dye using Eco-Flo Coal Black leather dye. I apply it with a pice of scrap sheep's wool and then apply a finish after it is allowed to dry a full day. You will ber minimal lifting using the Super Sheen or Satin Sheen but I have not experienced any smudging or swirly odd finishes.

My biggest problem has been having the patience to wait to move to the next step.

Back to the carving, although still learning all this myself... Veg tan in natural color is the only way I know to do it correctly. I would think if you applied the dye, You'd almost have to do the carving right after applying the dye, then the leather is wet with seeping dye.?. Casing the leather after the dye seems counter productive.

Allen