Members JayB Posted September 9, 2019 Members Report Posted September 9, 2019 Hello everyone. First post on your Leatherworker comm Hello everyone. First post on your Leatherworker community. I have a Japanese Nambu 94 and holster. The Nambu is dated 1944 and I have no reason to believe that the holster is any other year of manufacture. The stitches in the holster are delicate. And this weekend, while handling the holster, I broke about two inches of the stitching. I've watched a lot of leather work and stitching videos since then, but thought that this community may have some proper suggestions on how to restitch what I broke. Following are photos of the holster. Any advice would be surely appreciated. Jason Quote
Members SickMick Posted September 9, 2019 Members Report Posted September 9, 2019 If it was me, I'd check the value. On a historical piece, there could be more value in a "broken" holster than a "repaired" one. If value dictates, I would just pull out the old stitching and redo it along that seam. I'd try to duplicate the color exactly by staining or marking the new thread to match the stains and marks on the old thread. Just my 2 cents.... Quote
Members JayB Posted September 9, 2019 Author Members Report Posted September 9, 2019 57 minutes ago, SickMick said: If it was me, I'd check the value. On a historical piece, there could be more value in a "broken" holster than a "repaired" one. If value dictates, I would just pull out the old stitching and redo it along that seam. I'd try to duplicate the color exactly by staining or marking the new thread to match the stains and marks on the old thread. Just my 2 cents.... Thanks Mr. SickMick. I'd like to restitch it myself. Never done anything like this before. This handgun and it's Nambu cousin (14) go to the range in their holsters. Quote
Members JayB Posted September 13, 2019 Author Members Report Posted September 13, 2019 I've figured out the stitching method while watching numerous videos on youtube. Is there a certain material I should use to stitch that is different for antique gun holsters or should any material suffice? Quote
wizard of tragacanth Posted September 13, 2019 Report Posted September 13, 2019 (edited) Hopefully someone will come along here and give you the REAL answer to this, but this would be my approach. I have not yet tried what I am recommending but this is what I would do. I would start with an un-waxed natural linen thread, such as this Tandy product. https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/unwaxed-linen-thread-natural If the color of the thread is too white, I would make a cup of black tea or maybe coffee and start experimenting. The tea or coffee will be used to dye the thread. Dip short 6" pieces of thread in the tea, let it dry completely and then wipe the thread by drawing it through a paper towel. That may remove some color. Experiment with length of time for the dipping until you get the desired color. After you get the timing right, dye the thread that you need for the project. Then, lightly wax the thread by placing it on a chunk of wax, putting your thumb on top of it and drawing the thread over the wax a time or two. If I have time this afternoon, I will try this and let you know what happens. nick Edited September 13, 2019 by wizard of tragacanth OCD Quote
wizard of tragacanth Posted September 13, 2019 Report Posted September 13, 2019 (edited) Okay, I was shootin’ from the hip, with that recommendation, so I tried it myself. I used Black Coffee. Here are the results. Four samples are shown, on a background of – HP Ultra White, Multi-Purpose Paper. Left to Right: Natural, 3 second dip, 30 second dip, 5-10 minutes. The bluish pic was taken outdoors in the shade, the yellowish pic was taken indoors under a Warm White LED bulb. nick Edited September 13, 2019 by wizard of tragacanth Quote
Members JayB Posted September 13, 2019 Author Members Report Posted September 13, 2019 Wow Nick. Thanks for taking the time to experiment. Looks like there is a Tandy store within an hour of my home. It's worth my time to go in and talk to them. Jason Quote
wizard of tragacanth Posted September 13, 2019 Report Posted September 13, 2019 (edited) Well, IDK if it is worth your time and gas to go there. The 25 yard spool of thread is only $5.50. Maybe it would be better to just order it online. Also, if you go there, it could end up costing you hundreds or thousands of dollars. No kidding. You might start buying tools and supplies for years to come. If you do go there, get some bee's wax and some stitching needles. I can't remember which ones I use. I thought it was the #2 Glover's Needles but I don't see that on the website. It's either those or the harness needles. Do not buy the "Stitching Needles" with the BIG eye. nick Edited September 13, 2019 by wizard of tragacanth Quote
wizard of tragacanth Posted September 13, 2019 Report Posted September 13, 2019 Just thinking. If you do try the method that I suggested, for authenticity, you might want to make the color less uniform... splotchy. You could do a very quick dip to give an overall tone, then add extra color to only parts of the thread. Make a small coil by wrapping it around three fingers, then lay that coil down and dribble some more coffee in a couple of areas. When you uncoil it... ta-da! Quote
Members JayB Posted September 14, 2019 Author Members Report Posted September 14, 2019 Thanks Nick! I like the idea of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars...which I don't have, yet. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.