Cleaning leather before dying it?

[Tadpole]

I’m making my very first knife sheath, it’s a part of gift I am making for my B-I-L, for Christmas. Therefore, I want to get it right.
How do I clean the leather before dying it, I’ve handled the leather quite a lot, and I am worried that my fingerprints/natural oils will affect the leather and prevent the light brown dye from coating evenly. What can I use to clean the leather? Something that is not too expensive or chemically.

In addition, whilst I am at it, finishing the 'raw edges' of the leather, is that done before or after the dying/treating and is there a cheaper alternative to Gum Trag

 

[leon-1]

I’m making my very first knife sheath, it’s a part of gift I am making for my B-I-L, for Christmas. Therefore, I want to get it right.
How do I clean the leather before dying it, I’ve handled the leather quite a lot, and I am worried that my fingerprints/natural oils will affect the leather and prevent the light brown dye from coating evenly. What can I use to clean the leather? Something that is not too expensive or chemically.

In addition, whilst I am at it, finishing the 'raw edges' of the leather, is that done before or after the dying/treating and is there a cheaper alternative to Gum Trag

Try sponging down with a heavily diluted solution of fairy liquid to clean the leather, fresh veg tan should need very little cleaning if any at all.

Dye the sheath before burnishing the edge.

It is possible to burnish the edges of a sheath by licking it and then using a bone folder (or any hard smooth object) to rub against the leather. If you don't fancy looking quite so strange as to be sat there licking leather then you can use lightly sugared water instead.

Hope this will be of help,

Leon

 

[gregorach]

What can I use to clean the leather? Something that is not too expensive or chemically.

If you're anywhere near a tack shop or saddlers, saddle soap is the very thing and not particularly expensive.

 

[Tadpole]

Try sponging down with a heavily diluted solution of fairy liquid to clean the leather, fresh veg tan should need very little cleaning if any at all.

Dye the sheath before burnishing the edge.

It is possible to burnish the edges of a sheath by licking it and then using a bone folder (or any hard smooth object) to rub against the leather. If you don't fancy looking quite so strange as to be sat there licking leather then you can use lightly sugared water instead.

Hope this will be of help,

Leon

I've plenty of experence with washing up liquid, (knackered dishwasher) so thanks for that, licking leather...hmmmm I'm sure that is going to taste funny and look wierd so sugar water it is. Would a bone knife handle work?

thanks:You_Rock_

 

[leon-1]

Would a bone knife handle work?

It depends on how smooth it is, but as an idea before now I have used a plastic araldite spatula, a piece of ebony, a bic biro and a small metal tube. If you have a nicely rounded spoon handle (like on the old serving spoons) then you could use one of these as long as it's smooth.

 

[singteck]

If you're anywhere near a tack shop or saddlers, saddle soap is the very thing and not particularly expensive.

I am not sure you will be able to dye it after saddle soap..... it leaves a layer of wax in the leather which prevents the dye from penetrating.

singteck