Playing around with different effects.

[Oldnretired]

These are nothing fancy but I have a few knives that are in what I consider sub-par sheaths. Either too thin and floppy or unsafe.

 

[Heikki]

These are nothing fancy but I have a few knives that are in what I consider sub-par sheaths. Either too thin and floppy or unsafe.

Nice work. The one on the right, is that how the leather is dyed? It looks almost like a burl.

 

[Oldnretired]

Nice work. The one on the right, is that how the leather is dyed? It looks almost like a burl.

Thanks.
Yes a variation on the shaving cream style of "marbelized dyeing". Instead of smoothing out the shaving cream and swirling the dye on top then pressing the leather into it I scooped some up (with a gloved hand) and just pressed it against the leather and left for a few minutes. Then rinse, dry, apply Bick 4. Wait a day then apply resolene to lock the dye in.
I have a one more that has swirls that I did the regular shaving cream way that isn't done. I used the leftover from that one to dye this one.
I will post pics when I have time once it's done.
I'll try the 1/3rd dye, 1/3rd dishsoap & 1/3rd water bubble method soon. You mix that in a cup then blow through a straw until it bubbles over and falls onto the leather. Let the bubbles pop on their own (I've been told) and get a really nice dye effect.
I fear I've created a monster. My wife now wants me to make her a purse and matching wallet with effects.....lol.............

 

[Oldnretired]

Here is the long sheath finished. No belt loop. The sheath is just to protect the dagger during transport etc. I usually keep the dagger wrapped in cotton flannel and in the gun safe.
The smaller one is for a small knife that goes well with the dagger. Same maker, materials & time frame Mid 30's to mid 40's Germany (non military). The leftover dye from the small one is what I used to dye the larger one. The smaller sheath has a belt loop.
Edit: More to come. I noticed that there are hardly any new posts here on my favorite knife forum.
My work isn't anything special but something to post beats nothing I guess.......................

 

[Heikki]

Thanks for sharing! I had no idea there were techniques like this for dying leather. Seems another rabbit hole I may soon find myself diving into...

 

[Oldnretired]

One thing of note with the shaving cream style. I first tried it with alcohol based dye and the dye just ate right through the shaving cream without lying on top. The article I read actually said to use the alcohol type.
Upon further investigating the technique I soon learned to use water based dye. Fiebings Leathercolors is what I used with these. It worked way better. Dry leather (without casing first) provided sharper results. Also letting the shaving cream rest for 15 minutes or so after leveling it out seemed to help.
There's also techniques of dripping the dye into water only 1/4" deep or so to create a watercolor "wash" effect. Floating the dry leather on top for a minute or so immediately before the dye disperses too much. It sounds like the wash effect first then when dry doing the bubble effect over it might yield some interesting effects.
The dye goes a long way and I have a couple of double shoulders of veg tan so maybe my wife will get that wallet and purse...................