Bert03241 Report post Posted January 17, 2022 I glued a snake skin to a piece veg tan on a knife sheath and when I folded over the flap the skin pulled apart. This is supposedly real snake skin. Is this normal. any Ideas on how to fix it, or maybe stop it from happening in the first place? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuck123wapati Report post Posted January 17, 2022 i would pre-form the bend before gluing. Did you put a finish on it before bending it? I have seen leather break also due to some of the finishes if its applied before the bend is formed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tsunkasapa Report post Posted January 17, 2022 Much like linings wrinkle when folded, as in holsters, checkbooks, etc. Overlays that can't stretch will crack. When bent, it becomes smaller than the leather it is attached to, and something has to give. And if you glue OVER the bend, it may wrinkle when opened. I know WHY, but I can't tell you HOW. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert03241 Report post Posted January 17, 2022 33 minutes ago, chuck123wapati said: i would pre-form the bend before gluing. Did you put a finish on it before bending it? I have seen leather break also due to some of the finishes if its applied before the bend is formed. I didn't put anything on it for a finish. Preforming might work but will be very difficult to due. Skin is very thin and as soon as it touches the contact cement you can't move it with out tearing it, so getting it perfect the first time is essential 8 minutes ago, tsunkasapa said: Much like linings wrinkle when folded, as in holsters, checkbooks, etc. Overlays that can't stretch will crack. When bent, it becomes smaller than the leather it is attached to, and something has to give. And if you glue OVER the bend, it may wrinkle when opened. I know WHY, but I can't tell you HOW. Right the skin didn't stretch I thought it would Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert03241 Report post Posted January 17, 2022 I'm wondering if I cut the skin a little long and used a glue that didn't set so fast it if would slide back when I folded the flap over then clamp in place till glue set up Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sheilajeanne Report post Posted January 17, 2022 It may be possible the skin wasn't properly tanned, and that's why it fell apart. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
battlemunky Report post Posted January 17, 2022 Make a bend out of some scrap that you can lay the snakeskin over to get the right size and then use that piece since it will be representative. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuck123wapati Report post Posted January 17, 2022 1 hour ago, tsunkasapa said: Much like linings wrinkle when folded, as in holsters, checkbooks, etc. Overlays that can't stretch will crack. When bent, it becomes smaller than the leather it is attached to, and something has to give. And if you glue OVER the bend, it may wrinkle when opened. I know WHY, but I can't tell you HOW. 1 hour ago, Bert03241 said: I didn't put anything on it for a finish. Preforming might work but will be very difficult to due. Skin is very thin and as soon as it touches the contact cement you can't move it with out tearing it, so getting it perfect the first time is essential Right the skin didn't stretch I thought it would I've used snake skin but never on a bend for that reason. I would rethink your design and save the problems. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert03241 Report post Posted January 18, 2022 5 hours ago, battlemunky said: Make a bend out of some scrap that you can lay the snakeskin over to get the right size and then use that piece since it will be representative. I'll see how that works thnx for the reply Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert03241 Report post Posted January 18, 2022 5 hours ago, chuck123wapati said: I've used snake skin but never on a bend for that reason. I would rethink your design and save the problems. If you saw the one I did in fake snakeskin, I just brought the flap piece over the bend and stopped. I could do it that way ,but I really would like to cover the whole sheath, looks better I think. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Leescustomleather Report post Posted March 30, 2022 Apply barge cement or other contact cement to the already formed sheath and the snakeskin, let the cement dry at least a couple of hours until it feels totally dry. lay the snakeskin over the sheath use spring clips or tape to hold the snakeskin in place, when you are satisfied with your placement use a heat gun at a distance from your work to gently heat the surface, it will activate the contact cement and you will get a strong and permanent bond. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert03241 Report post Posted April 2, 2022 On 3/29/2022 at 8:37 PM, Leescustomleather said: Apply barge cement or other contact cement to the already formed sheath and the snakeskin, let the cement dry at least a couple of hours until it feels totally dry. lay the snakeskin over the sheath use spring clips or tape to hold the snakeskin in place, when you are satisfied with your placement use a heat gun at a distance from your work to gently heat the surface, it will activate the contact cement and you will get a strong and permanent bond. I think that would make it very difficult to sew Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Leescustomleather Report post Posted April 3, 2022 20 hours ago, Bert03241 said: I think that would make it very difficult to sew I think perhaps I didn't explain the process properly, What I tried to describe is the same as adding a liner except letting the glue dry completely instead of tacky where it will adhere instantly. When it is completely dry you can move it until you have it exactly where you want it then a little heat will reactivate the glue, I discovered this process accidently, but it works very well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuck123wapati Report post Posted April 3, 2022 On 4/2/2022 at 1:13 AM, Bert03241 said: I think that would make it very difficult to sew just wondering where did you get that hide? It is the belly of the snake you have shown most folks use the other side, the back. How was it tanned? Lees gluing method is top notch but i dont see how it will help in preventing cracking or wrinkleing when opened but i have never tried to put snake on a flap. now if your putting it around the sheath you will have to form the sheath then glue as lee says. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert03241 Report post Posted April 3, 2022 I got the skin off Esty no idea how it was tanned. I understand how this gluing works. still not sure how I'm going to punch my sew holes after its formed . hmmmm I'll have to think about this. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted April 3, 2022 2 hours ago, Bert03241 said: I got the skin off Esty no idea how it was tanned. I understand how this gluing works. still not sure how I'm going to punch my sew holes after its formed . hmmmm I'll have to think about this. Use veggie tanned fake snake skin . . . End of that problem . . . Ain't enough folks out there who could tell the difference anyway . . . May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert03241 Report post Posted April 3, 2022 yep thats what I'm going to do Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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