Does anybody here use pre-dyed leather?

Phillip Patton

Phillip Patton

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jul 25, 2005
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I'm trying to use what I have, and I'm having a hard time getting the pieces to stick together. Seems like the contact cement doesn't want to stick to it.

Am I doing something wrong?


Thanks,
 
Sandy Morrissey taught me to rough up the smooth face of the leather prior to glue up, have you tried that? also, being predyed you would probably want to deglaze the mating surfaces also...
 
I always rough up the mating surfaces, but how do you deglaze it?
 
Phillip,

You can try to use denatured alcohol but if that doesn't work try some acetone!
That usually does the trick!

They usually seal/condition it after dyeing the leather and that is what you want to get off!
 
Quick wash with acetone, dries almost instantly. Cleans the crapola off the surface.
 
Forget barge...Forget Contact cement.....get some Leather Weld ( Jantz, K&G,TKS,etc.).
It won't even need stitching (But I still do it anyway...most of the time). I use heavy black dyed leather for a lot of tool and blade covers. Even with the slick polished side, the leather weld bonds tight and fast.
Here is what I do.
Cut the top ,bottom, and welt. Apply Leather Weld to the inner mark on the bottom piece. Set the welt in place, adjust it as needed, pressing it down to get a tack. Once in place and starting to "tack" (about 1-2min.) set a board on the piece,wait about 30 seconds, lift and check, set it back on and place a weight if you wish on the board. Wait five minutes. Apply Leather Weld to the welt top, put on the top piece, do as before, once all is right, put on the board and let set for about 30 minutes. The sheath will be dead flat and super strong. You can work on it now, but I let it set overnight. I have never had a joint fail( You have to cut the leather apart to separate it) with this product. For odd shapes or built up welts, use clamps and fingers. It sets fast.
Stacy
 
I also use pre-dyed leather. I found that the stuff I dyed myself tended to rub off while wearing the sheath. I went with a really tough type of leather used to make saddles...latigo leather. I find that it is also a lot less prone to being brittle and cracking like plain undyed leather. To roughen up the leather before gluing, I use a small rasp called a riffling file. Works better than sandpaper. Just using contact cement as of now, but would like something more traditional. Would they have used hide glue back pre-1800's?
 
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