Wet forming leather

I've done it. Not to say its the "right" thing to do but it works. I'm no expert, just figuring it out as I go but, its harder to dye a sheath or holster once its assembled, sewn, riveted ect.
 
Dye will form a resist as it penetrates the leather, even more so if the flesh side is dyed also. This means that wetting the leather and casing it to the proper moisture content will take more time and patience. Once it is cased throughout it should wet form fairly easily. Allow sufficient time for the water to penetrate thoroughly after it is removed from the water (about 10 minutes) and then get after it. Black dyes will be even more resistant than the brown shades.

Paul
 
Try you tube. I have found some great tutorials on other things on there.
 
I use a water based dye so I don't dye first. It can be done however as I've "re-molded after dying just don't use a sealer first because then you can't get the moisture content into the leather.
 
sheathmaker said:
Dye will form a resist as it penetrates the leather, even more so if the flesh side is dyed also. This means that wetting the leather and casing it to the proper moisture content will take more time and patience. Once it is cased throughout it should wet form fairly easily. Allow sufficient time for the water to penetrate thoroughly after it is removed from the water (about 10 minutes) and then get after it. Black dyes will be even more resistant than the brown shades.

Paul
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Boom! The expert has spoken.

I was going to say, I have wet formed dyed leather without any issues. But, my comment is not necessary because a pro jumped in already!
 
Adding to the info, wetting a leather with a light colored dye can be a little touch and go with the color being even after the leather dries.

Wherever you apply pressure to the leather, in other words boning, the leather will become permanently darker than the unboned areas. This might either be a nifty effect or a disastrous series of marks on your previously unmarked sheath. Fingernails and "benchmarks" also cause areas of darker marks on the wet/dyed leather.

Using tap water can cause darker areas from the minerals in the water, here in San Antonio the aquifer gives us nice tasting mineral water but not so nice effects on soaked leather because of the lime stone. Your results may vary.
 
This may be a little different than wet forming a sheath to a knife handle, but I wet mold several pieces on items I'm making now. I get the leather thoroughly soaked, dye and then press in the mold. From there it goes to a dehydrator for total drying. Has worked well for the last year. Been using pre-dyed leather over the last week and it's done really well, too. I sure agree with all the above comments concerning hand forming and molding to shape.
 
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