Thinners/solvents

[Chris 54326]

Being new to this sheath making venture, the only materials I know to work with are Fiebings. Enough of you use them that I'm sure they are just fine for the job. But some of them are thick.............almost too thick to apply smoothly. I've been trying to find the thinners or solvents for these, but can't seem to find any answers. Can anyone point me to a list of the Fiebings products line and their thinners/solvents? Would be much appreciated.

 

[Horsewright]

What products are you using?

 

[Chris 54326]

I use Fiebings exclusively at this point because that's all I know about. Pro Resist, Pro Dyes, paste Antique, Edge Kote and Top Kote. Just bought a bottle of Hi Liter yesterday and have some Bag Kote ordered. (to mimic your recipe)

The Pro Resist reminds me of an old bottle of Elmer's Glue that has started setting up in the bottle. It's so thick it leaves ridges when I use a wool dauber to apply it. The Top Kote isn't quite as thick, but still too thick for my liking.

 

[Chris 54326]

Just got an email back from Fiebings. Of course, most of you already knew this, I'm sure, but I didn't. Just in case anyone needs to know what the solvents are, here ya go.

Tan Kote, Pro Resist and Resolene are all water based..........so water is the thinner.
Antique can be thinned with Tan Kote
Leather Dye and Pro Dye are thinned with Dye Reducer.
They didn't give me an answer on Bag Kote.

 

[leatherman]

For the top coats use a brush, soft to mid temper works well.
Daubers are meant for dye.
Resist, same as the top coats, a brush is preferred.
The paste antique is meant to be applied with a cloth and worked into the cuts.

If you dont already have them, get a variety of sizes of brushes, you'll use them.
Welcome to the insanity!

 

[Horsewright]

Of those ya mentioned the only two I use are the BagKote, (used as a finish, as a resist and as a mixer in my own little antique mix) and the Hi Lighter. As mentioned I mix the two together for my mix. I've never had reason to thin BagKote. I use an old T shirt spread tight over two fingers as an applicator. On large items like rifle scabbards etc I will use OakWood (a conditioner) as a finish.

I dislike dyeing leather and almost won't. I gonna do a little deal here shortly on why, just need to take the pics.

The EdgeKote is kinda a deal for kids at summer camp. Its simply not taken seriously, at least in the western leather world.

 

[Chris 54326]

Thanks, Dave. I take your comments to heart.

I bought some Hi Liter a couple of days ago and have some Bag Kote on order. But the Hi Liter I bought (only color available) isn't the slightest bit "reddish" like yours. Are there different colors?

 

[Horsewright]

Thanks, Dave. I take your comments to heart.

I bought some Hi Liter a couple of days ago and have some Bag Kote on order. But the Hi Liter I bought (only color available) isn't the slightest bit "reddish" like yours. Are there different colors?

I don't know if there are other colors, mine is brown. The reddish tint on many of my projects comes from the leather used. It is 8/10 oz Wickett and Craig russet skirting leather. Many of my sheaths are Herman Oak too and although the invoice when I get it says russet there is indeed a very distinct difference in color.

Herman Oak:

Wickett and Craig:

All have been treated with warm, pure neatsfoot oil after construction but sure are two distinct colors of russet leather. Interestingly in use they can catch up as age and UV rays in sunlight darken leather. This is Ally my daughter. Her belt is Wickett and Craig and antiqued with my mixture. Her pancake sheath is Herman Oak not antiqued. They are getting pretty close. The belt on her Charmitas (leggings/chaps) is also Herman Oak. I made those charmitas for her when she was about 12 and now she's 24. but she quit riding for many years (played basketball year round all through highschool and in college) but recently got back into her heritage so they are seeing more sun these days.

 

[Chris 54326]

The finished result may be because of the leather you use. But when I looked at your thread about using your mixture of Bag Kote and Hi Liter I'd swear the resultant mixture looked more red than what my Hi Liter looks like. Of course, I mixed mine with Tan Kote and and Bag Kote.............that might make a difference. It sure seems to in regard to viscosity of the liquid.