changing saddle color from medium brown to dark gray

[noctiluca]

Hi all,

I've never done any leatherwork before and am about to purchase a saddle that is only available in browns and black. The two tone is really beautiful but the browns are very warm tones that will look weird on my silver and gray horse. I would like to get the saddle made in two-tone, but change the hazelnut (lighter camel color) or toasted color (shown) to dark gray. I know the leather is boxcalf and vegetable tanned, but that's all I know about it. The saddle is made to order so I might be able to make special requests about the way the leather is treated. I do lots of crafty and fabrication things, but I've never worked with leather in even a basic way so please explain to me like I'm 5! I'm open to any kind of dyeing or finishing that would work well to change the color, and any guidance would be very much appreciated!

[Rahere]

I was trained as a buyer for a major engineering company, and one of the core maxims was, if you don't ask, you don't get! At the same time, they've probably bought bulk from their tannery, and might need help finding the colours you want. Why don't you ask them and come back here with tighter specs (thickness, area) if they can't help?  I wouldn't look to surface-dye light tan here, because inevitable scuffs will show.

[tsunkasapa]

Unless you can have one made in the colors you want, I see no way to alter the color that would turn out well. I'll wager that the color goes all the way through and every scuff will bring out the base color. It would be easier to change the color of your horse than the color of the saddle.

[mike02130]

3 hours ago, tsunkasapa said:

Unless you can have one made in the colors you want, I see no way to alter the color that would turn out well. I'll wager that the color goes all the way through and every scuff will bring out the base color. It would be easier to change the color of your horse than the color of the saddle.

Yup, that would be a horse of a different color.  The youngins may not get it.

[tsunkasapa]

[Rahere]

You're definitely off...