1st time tooling (Viking Serpent)

[JazzBass]

On 12/10/2018 at 8:35 AM, immiketoo said:

...In Pic one, you can see the area around the hair is smooth except for the lines for the branches.  The figure beveler pushes down the leather smoothly and makes your art stand out.  In the second pic, you can see our the branches are behind the birds and Odin, but above the background.  Also you can see the transitions on the celtic weave.  Hope this helps.

Wow, Mike - once again, your carving is off the hook, and SO darned CLEAN!
Inspirational, my friend!

[fiftycrushplan]

Here is an update I re-done the piece with your alls advice and used antique gel.  I like this one much better.

[JazzBass]

Yup - better and better !
Feels pretty good, doesn't it?
 

[YinTx]

Looks a lot better.  If you want to clean up the outside portion, use a damp towel to scrub off some of the antique.  Also, sheep wool with 50/50 tankote works really well too, and helps seal in the antique when it dries.  DId you use Fiebeng's paste, or did you use an acrylic antique?

YinTx

[fiftycrushplan]

39 minutes ago, YinTx said:

Looks a lot better.  If you want to clean up the outside portion, use a damp towel to scrub off some of the antique.  Also, sheep wool with 50/50 tankote works really well too, and helps seal in the antique when it dries.  DId you use Fiebeng's paste, or did you use an acrylic antique?

YinTx

I ordered the fiebings antique dye  but I also got the eco flo and I used the eco flo on this one.  I thought it looked better when I was testing it out.  I used 50/50 resolene to water for finish as all I have is resolene and aussie conditioner.

[YinTx]

If you have already put the seal coat on, it will probably not change much from what you have.  In the future, try a wet towel to even out the antique outside of your tooled areas when using acrylic antiques like the eco flo, you may like the results.  Also, applying tankote 50/50 before and allowing it to dry 8hrs before antique will give a different (lighter, more evenly colored) look as well.

YinTx

[Sceaden]

Definitely a big improvement!

[fiftycrushplan]

Thanks everyone!  I have been meaning to get some tan kote for a while now.  If I am not mistaken will tan kote smooth out the fleshy side of leather as well?  Or is that edge coat?  Thanks all for the compliments.  It does feel pretty cool to say I have gone from mere sheath maker to tooling apprentice LOL.

[Rockoboy]

On ‎27‎/‎12‎/‎2018 at 3:30 AM, fiftycrushplan said:

will tan kote smooth out the fleshy side of leather as well? 

I believe what you need is Gum Tragacanth. Apply a thin coat then burnish with a smooth burnishing stick.

[YinTx]

As Rockoboy mentioned, gum trag will work. I tend to use Tan-Kote to slick the back of leather, and it works well for me.    I've heard of some using Resolene for the same purpose.  I just apply, and slick with a glass slicker until dry and smooth.

YinTx