Motlled how? And a dye question.

O

Omega Leather Works

Joined
Jun 13, 2007
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So I'd like my sheath to have a mottled finish. I have Fiebings spirit based black and green. I'd like it mostly black, but with hints of green poking through. How do I get this finish? Green first, then black on top? Black first? Green first with black only on parts?... Sanding?

Also, can (or should I?) dilute the dye with anything? I've read, in a walk through, that you can dilute oil based dye with alcohol. I also read that adding a tablespoon of olive oil to the 4oz bottle is good, but I'm not sure if that's for the oil, or the spirit, based dye.

Lastly, do you guys use beeswax for anything besides edges? I just bought a pound so I have more than enough to do more than edges if it can be used in another way.

Thanks for the help as I bungle my way through this. :)
 
I would dye it green first, then with a dauber that has very little black dye, just do small areas till you get the finish you want. No need to dilute the dye, use full strength.
Hope this helps.
GOD BLESS!
Michael
 
I've been experimenting with wetting the leather in random shapes before dyeing and although I haven't perfected it yet I think it has potential .
Try using a fine artists paintbrush to make lines and shapes on the dry leather with just plain old water, then quickly dye the leather while those areas are still wet .
You certainly get an effect with lighter coloured dyes .
Not sure if that will be what your after , but if you have time experiment with some scraps .


Ken
 
Ken, do you have any pics of the results? Either way, that sounds like a great idea to try out.

I was watching a Springfield Leather video last night on dyeing and they showed a method where they dyed a piece of leather a light(ish) brown followed by some blending at the edges with a darker brown, finally, they finished by rubbing a very light coat of the darker dye on the entire piece. Looked nice and simple but I'm not sure if that would work in the case of green and black.

I'm not sure if mottled is the right descriptor. I guess I'm having trouble with the description, but I mean for it to be mostly black with areas (like splotches) poking through. I've seen the effect done to where it's best seen in daylight otherwise one might only see the darker color. Usually I see this with browns, or less frequently, with red and black or brown as the dominating color.

I'll see if I can find a pic.
 
...and there is Dwayne with his damned fine looking sheath. I have much to learn!

I must learn master Puckett... take me as your padawan!

TF
 
What if I turn out to the the Dark One? :p

"The Sith of Leatherworking"

hmmm, kinda digging it!
 
Give me some days to put something together and I'll post a tutorial on how to do some of this, there are several techniques I've developed in my art as well as leather that cross over. Blood, sweat, and tears in most of these folks. I paid a lot in time and effort and I hope some can benefit from these rather than use them as a shortcut.
 
wow I would love to see that tutorial! where do I sign, Sith lord of leatherwork?
 


Simplicity through complexity, complexity through simplicity

Its rather easy really. :D
 
Very generous to the city duelers. Some times we don't even know how to start, I'm subscribed for the tutorial!
 
Yes, I think I'll take that lesson. In fact, if it's good I'll go ahead and make it a sticky.

Er... I keep forgetting I'm not a mod. :grumpy: In any case, I'd appreciate it. Sweet sheath btw. I'd be proud to carry that sucker.
 
That almost looks like stone. How did you do it?

If I'm honest, I'm finding the information flow a bit cryptic in this forum. Probably just my inane (and incessant) barrage of questions. That, or I haven't yet learned the secret handshake yet. :D :p
 
Unfortunately a step by step "how to" with pictures and more than a few steps doesn't happen overnight. Mottling, in some cases involves many layers of color.

Is my picture what your looking for? I dont want to waste my time going in the wrong direction. :p


Jeremy, I love that look! Well done. :)
 
leatherman said:
Unfortunately a step by step "how to" with pictures and more than a few steps doesn't happen overnight. Mottling, in some cases involves many layers of color.

Is my picture what your looking for? I dont want to waste my time going in the wrong direction. :p


Jeremy, I love that look! Well done. :)
Click to expand...

I should have said, "with a few exceptions"... ;)

Even if your finish wasn't what I was looking for, I think it's clear that the information wouldn't go to waste. I'd certainly make a new thread to feature your efforts, but outside of that, I don't have any suggestions. Your work is definitely appreciated here as far as I can tell. Post away! :)

I haven't done a great job of explaining what I'm doing. Following the excellent build thread and videos from our friend Tal, along with top secret help from forum member Horse Wright, I'm trying to make a half decent pouch sheath for my Fiddleback Kephart.

I'll post some pics of my progress and the knives in a minute.

Edit-

These are two of the knives, a Fiddleback Kephart and Karda.

hG2pV5F.jpg


The knife I finished the other day, my first.

AMqvI3A.jpg


My sheath so far. Definitely has its problems, but it's my first. Lot left to do.

rNuzFDT.jpg


NTdy7l1.jpg


Dyeing is next. Not sure when I'll do it, but even if I miss the how to on this one, I've got more yet to do.
 
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Ah, good to hear! :)

I really like the profile on your knife there!
 
Thanks man. I love wharncliffes. I made a little dashi for cutting my leather, but I don't like it at all. I'll probably make a small wharncliffe for the job. Utility and ergonomics being the focus, it might not be the prettiest, but I bet it'll cut like the dickens. :)
 
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