Wetformed sheath and pouch

[Kerne]

Tried my hand at wetforming a pouch and a neck sheath for my Mora (10 points to the first person who works out why I turned it into a neck sheath rather than a belt sheath )

The pouch was made by sewing two pieces of leather together flat and then wetting them and forcing a mould inside. The pics show before and after dyeing and burnishing. This was my first attempt at dyeing and I learned several things, especially to not be so liberal with the glue next time! And I will wear latex gloves! If anyone has any tips on dyeing leather - especially on getting an even coating – I would be grateful.

Before dyeing:

After dyeing and burnishing:

Going to try some belts next.

 

[warthog1981]

There looking really good
Let me guess you forgot to sew the belt loop on first before you sewed up the sheath ?

 

[JohnC]

I realy like the pouch, I've tried wetforming a bit, but I'd like to try that method,

(for the 10points)
Did you do the same as I did and wait till the sheath was sewn together to add the loop???

 

[warthog1981]

Double post Doh

 

[g4ghb]

Looks great! - I especially like the pouch

- forgot to sew the loop before you started the pouch edge perchance? - been there done that!

 

[John Fenna]

Very nice!
I find dye takes unevenly to wet moulded leather - it could be something to do with some fibre bundles being compressed and other stretched...but I am no expert!
For a home made, almost black leather stain I rot a fistfull of wire wool in a coffeee jar of chip-shop vinegar for a couple of months.
Brush this onto veg tanned leather and the tannins react with it like majic , going "dark" - use brown boot polish for dark brown, black polish for black.....

 

[Kerne]

Thanks for the comments. Not the belt loop, I had already made the mistake before beginning to sew!

 

[Kerne]

I find dye takes unevenly to wet moulded leather - it could be something to do with some fibre bundles being compressed and other stretched...but I am no expert!
For a home made, almost black leather stain I rot a fistfull of wire wool in a coffeee jar of chip-shop vinegar for a couple of months.
Brush this onto veg tanned leather and the tannins react with it like majic , going "dark" - use brown boot polish for dark brown, black polish for black.....
__________________

Thanks for the tip - I used Fieblings Mid Brown but I'd much rather use a "homebrew."

 

[g4ghb]

Thanks for the comments. Not the belt loop, I had already made the mistake before beginning to sew!

Ahhhhh - that would be the 'marking on the wrong side' trick then..... a leftie / rightie when it shouldn't have been..... (been there done that too - too many times! )

 

[Kerne]

g4ghb wrote: Ahhhhh - that would be the 'marking on the wrong side' trick then..... a leftie / rightie when it shouldn't have been

Give that gentleman 10 points!

I took such a lot of care cutting the template from card and then put it down on the leather the wrong side up!

 

[Barney]

nice those two, I will give the wet form idea a try.

 

[brancho]

Nice looking work
Everyone makes mistakes though I made a left handed sheath for my sons knife but as it is a drawer queen it didnt get another (yet)

And I will wear latex gloves! If anyone has any tips on dyeing leather - especially on getting an even coating – I would be grateful.

To dye leather more evenly I thin the dye with methylated spirits(denatured alcohol) and use a cloth to apply numerous coats,

 

[Kerne]

Originally posted by brancho:
To dye leather more evenly I thin the dye with methylated spirits(denatured alcohol) and use a cloth to apply numerous coats,

Thanks for the tip. I will give it a try although I have to say that I quite like the marbled effect of slightly uneven dye take up.