ByNelson Report post Posted September 9, 2018 Hello all I just got a free load of leather and skins... among this was three old school bag like 60’ style... and now I’m thinking about if it’s possible to cut it up and cleaning it and then reusing it, but is it a good idea? I do like the thought of not just throwing things away but I’m not really sure how it would work... anybody tried using really old stuff? And if you did what did you make? Kind regards Sarah Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted September 9, 2018 I have seen plenty of tv shots where someone buys a really old battered leather bag and with some cleaning and conditioner plus a lot of hard work end up with a nice looking bag I guess as long as its not cracked up you can reuse it with the antique look already done for you Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ByNelson Report post Posted September 9, 2018 23 minutes ago, chrisash said: I have seen plenty of tv shots where someone buys a really old battered leather bag and with some cleaning and conditioner plus a lot of hard work end up with a nice looking bag I guess as long as its not cracked up you can reuse it with the antique look already done for you That what I thought to do but only the big parts can be used I think.. maybe wallets or something Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
battlemunky Report post Posted September 9, 2018 My dad had a fringed suede jacket from when he was a teenager that has been in the family for a long time and I finally got tired of looking at it so I took it apart and am slowly using it to line things with. If its bag leather though, it may be a bit floppy for wallets but may be ok for wallet pockets or something? Lining stuff is always an option if it is good and soft. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ByNelson Report post Posted September 9, 2018 I think it’s like 2 mm thick veg leather... I’ve posted a pic so you can see what I’m talking about Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
battlemunky Report post Posted September 9, 2018 I would think maybe a wipe down with a damn cloth to try and get a bit of moisture back into it and let that have a few minutes to recover and then maybe a thin wipe down with some NFO or some other leather conditioner. It looks super dry. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ByNelson Report post Posted September 9, 2018 44 minutes ago, battlemunky said: I would think maybe a wipe down with a damn cloth to try and get a bit of moisture back into it and let that have a few minutes to recover and then maybe a thin wipe down with some NFO or some other leather conditioner. It looks super dry. I have wiped it with water and saddle soap and NFO... then I gave it a bit of balm.... still feels a bit dry so maybe I’ll give it more conditioning... but it have a beautiful color... and would look good reused... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
battlemunky Report post Posted September 9, 2018 Make sure you give the NFO and balm time to do it's thing. At least 24 hrs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted September 9, 2018 (edited) I would do above but repair it as well as it looks like it has so much character. Definitely a good helping of NFO and i would leave for 2-3 days before conditioner Just cut the old stitches and restitch Edited September 9, 2018 by chrisash Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ByNelson Report post Posted September 9, 2018 14 minutes ago, chrisash said: I would do above but repair it as well as it looks like it has so much character. Definitely a good helping of NFO and i would leave for 2-3 days before conditioner Just cut the old stitches and restitch Maybe I will with one of them... but I don’t have the need for 3 identical bags but I try to salvage what I can from the rest ... anybody want to share stuff that they made with old reused leather would be great... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handstitched Report post Posted September 11, 2018 That bag has ' restoration ' written all over it Ditto to the above. A good dose of oil, even re-colour it if need be to hide any scratches, discolouration etc. . But to cut it, and the others up for something else ? Nup Restore. heres a pic of a bag I restored and sold. HS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ByNelson Report post Posted September 11, 2018 5 hours ago, Handstitched said: That bag has ' restoration ' written all over it Ditto to the above. A good dose of oil, even re-colour it if need be to hide any scratches, discolouration etc. . But to cut it, and the others up for something else ? Nup Restore. heres a pic of a bag I restored and sold. HS Well restoring is ok, but I really don’t have the space to store 2 ekstra bags... and I think it will be hard to sell them... The one above I already cut up, but I will think about it some more before doing any more cutting Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted September 11, 2018 Nice restoration better in black Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
battlemunky Report post Posted September 12, 2018 Wow, super great save on that bag @Handstitched! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScoobyNewbie Report post Posted September 12, 2018 (edited) Did you get a pattern of it? It looked like a really good pattern. Oooo! I love the chains on the strap! Edited September 12, 2018 by ScoobyNewbie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alisdair Report post Posted September 12, 2018 (edited) I've seen people make very nice watch straps out of old leather "bomber" jackets. Edited September 12, 2018 by Alisdair Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bullmoosepaddles Report post Posted September 12, 2018 (edited) Nice old bag. Hope you find a good use for them. Edited September 12, 2018 by bullmoosepaddles Change content Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handstitched Report post Posted September 12, 2018 G'Day and thank you for your responses, ByNelson , I do appreciate the differences in market demand. These old bags get snapped up real quick here. But I hope you're able to restore maybe at least one of them and love to see what you'll do with the one you've cut up . The old leather has a lovely natural aged colour. There maybe enough leather for a nice purse , wallet or a clutch bag just looking at your pic. HS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ByNelson Report post Posted September 12, 2018 4 hours ago, Handstitched said: G'Day and thank you for your responses, ByNelson , I do appreciate the differences in market demand. These old bags get snapped up real quick here. But I hope you're able to restore maybe at least one of them and love to see what you'll do with the one you've cut up . The old leather has a lovely natural aged colour. There maybe enough leather for a nice purse , wallet or a clutch bag just looking at your pic. HS I will try to find a project for the leather that will work with the nice patina it already got. I really appreciate all your help and ideas. Kind regards Sarah Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
