Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jack Haskins, Jr. on May 20, 2015 at 9:58

I don't remember ever dying any leather. Maybe as a kid with a leather kit or something. Other than that I know nothing about dying or staining leather. But, I usually try to protect leather with a conditioner of some sort. Recently I've been using Ballistol. The thing is a lot of the leather protector products darken the leather without dye. And if you apply different amounts on different areas with a rag it may give you the uneven appearance. I know this isn't much help. Maybe a "leather guy" will chime in with better suggestions or options.  Good luck.

Jack

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on May 20, 2015 at 10:59

Really depends on what you've got around the house, Michael.  

You could try tea or coffee to stain the sheath, but they have tannins that could also stain the knife, when kept in the sheath.  I'd go with several coats of olive oil.  You can somewhat control the resulting color by selective applications.  once its dried, it should buff out nicely.

Here's the sheath I made for my leaf knife.  Before pic if after wet shaping, after pic is after 1 treatment with olive oil.

Other than that, leather companies have specialized antequing finishes you could try.  Neatsfoot oil will significantly darken leather and can be found many places.

Permalink Reply by Michael Squier on May 20, 2015 at 12:33

Thanks for the advise. I heard about coffee but thought as a food product it might not really be the best. What do you think about an oil stain for wood? I put oil on leather anyway so oil with color shouldnt hurt right? then seal it after with wax maybe? It doesnt have to be uneven, I just dont care either way just want it darker brown, like its old. 

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on May 20, 2015 at 12:41

I'd worry about any solvents in a wood stain, Michael.  You could try it on a small portion on the back of the sheath to see how it would work.

While it's not clear in my pic, the olive oil treatment really added some character to an otherwise bland leather.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on May 20, 2015 at 17:44

I'm with JJ .. Olive oil .. will certainly help darken, preserve, etc.

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on May 20, 2015 at 18:02

I'm always up for an experiment,  Applied a second coat of olive oil to my sheath, visibly darker still...

Permalink Reply by Michael Squier on May 21, 2015 at 8:15

I plan on modifieing the sheath and will be cutting a piece off. I think I willuse that as ta test.  

Permalink Reply by James Cole on May 22, 2015 at 18:03

I haven't done any leather since the '80s, but still have quart bottles of dye.  Don't use wood stains, it will make the leather hard and stiff.  Although tea is used to dye ivory, I think the acid in it would eat the protein in the leather and cause it to fall apart: just a guess.  As always, test on scraps.  The one sure thing is to buy real leather dye.  Take a look at Amazon.

Permalink Reply by Michael Squier on May 22, 2015 at 18:44

Just curious, why would wood stain make the leather hard? Its oil based. 

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on May 22, 2015 at 19:54

There are often solvents in staining  product intended for wood .. thins it & promotes quicker drying time.

Great for wood .. not so great for leather.

Permalink Reply by Ms Data on May 22, 2015 at 21:26

Um . . . got any shoe polish laying around?

Permalink Reply by Bryan OShaughnessy on May 22, 2015 at 23:58

I'm with Ms. Data: I've used brown shoe-polish to darken a pale sheath. smear it on evenly or streak it in various thickness and let it dry.  Buff it up just like an old pair of Florsheims.  Gives a little protection against water.  Kiwi has a variety of colors; shop around.

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