Dye Leather Sheath with Shoe Polish???

[Oracle489]

I just finished my first sheath for a scandi style blade I just finished making. I want to dye the leather a darker color and was wondering if I could use shoe polish or a combo involving beeswax and shoe polish. Just wanted to see if anyone has tried this or could give me some advice. The leather is plain 6oz vegetable tanned leather.

 

[J]

I dont think it would work too well. Super strong coffee makes a nice dye.

Wax and polish seals. You want the dye to soak in.

 

[mosquitomountainman]

Regular shoe polish doesn't do too well. Tandy has leather dye that works great. You need to clean the leather with saddle soap to get any wax, oil, etc. out of it then dye it. It'll give it a deep, rich color then you can use shoe polish or oil it whichever is your preference.

I have some shoe polish that's supposed to have dye in it but the results have been less than satisfactory.

Post some pics when you're finished. I'd love to see it!

 

[blkbd]

4oz bottles of dye can be had for about 6 bucks from Tandy's and in a wide range of colors, If your looking for a old traditional way(printed in books from the 18th century) then there's Vinegaroon. its easy to make
and comes in any color you want as long its black.
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?75951-Vinegaroon-Tutorial

 

[brionic]

Oiling it will darken the leather as well.

 

[econnofoot]

I actually have a bottle of Brown dye that's made by Kiwi looks like the reg old shoe polish liq applicator bottle with the little sponge thing...used it to darken some sheaths....assume they still make it.

here's a black one off their web site

http://www.kiwishoeshine.com/Kiwi-Black-Leather-Dye-25-floz_p_567.html

 

[HiWayMan]

I use brown Kiwi shoepolish on all my sheaths. While it is obvious that many here do not like it, I have found it to be satisfactory for me. Try it on a scrap piece and see what it looks like and decide for yourself. While it does not dye the leather it provides a nice color and finish that ages to a nice patina. It can also be refreshed as often as you like. There is always more than one way to skin a cat.

 

[taildragger]

I've mixed birch tar in with oil to dye. It works great, the more you add the darker, but you have to like the smell of birch tar.

 

[Skab]

I actually have a bottle of Brown dye that's made by Kiwi looks like the reg old shoe polish liq applicator bottle with the little sponge thing...used it to darken some sheaths....assume they still make it.

here's a black one off their web site

http://www.kiwishoeshine.com/Kiwi-Black-Leather-Dye-25-floz_p_567.html

I use the kiwi black dye to redye my black leather boots when they get worn down.

As said you need to get all the wax/polish off the leather first, I do so with sandpaper then apply the dye and then polish.

Has been working well on the same pair of boots for the last 10 years or so.

But, straight polish won't get ya much.

 

[Jbass0760]

old walnut husk, i kneeled down on some while working on my garage... my jeans havent been the same.