Aged Mexican loop

[CraigC]

Made a couple mistakes on this one, so I used it to experiment with the aging process. Realized after it was aged and finished that it was just too light. I double dipped it after finish work, which is never a good idea. Then aged it again, then finished it again. Not 100% sure if I'm finished with it or not. May add some funky stains to it.

 

[Jonny2guns]

You sir, are your own worst critic. That is very nice work and I wish I could do something as nice as that. Love the color and the texture.

 

[Jimster]

Beautiful work!!

 

[ms6852]

Check your eyesight, might need new prescription. Looks great to me.

 

[Slamfire]

We are our own worst critics.

Looks great.

 

[1KPerDay]

I agree some staining would be cool. Looks great as is though.

 

[CajunBass]

Not bad! Not bad a'tall!

 

[doubleh]

Another great looking holster from a master of stamped holsters. I am somewhat tone blind, more in the blue spectrum than brown, but the color, although different than most, looks great to me. Why get stuck in a rut and not try new things? If it is too light to suit you lay it beside a south facing window for a few days to see what happens as sunlight darkens that type of leather. No effort required except checking it each day. It probably happens quicker in our intense sunlight than in your neck of the woods.

 

[1KPerDay]

I wonder if you could imitate sun bleaching where there would be exposed leather and leave it darker beneath or something. It kinda looks like it’s been put in the sun a while

 

[1KPerDay]

Another great looking holster from a master of stamped holsters. I am somewhat tone blind, more in the blue spectrum than brown, but the color, although different than most, looks great to me. Why get stuck in a rut and not try new things? If it is too light to suit you lay it beside a south facing window for a few days to see what happens as sunlight darkens that type of leather. No effort required except checking it each day. It probably happens quicker in our intense sunlight than in your neck of the woods.

Sunlight darkens leather? Interesting. I guess it makes sense if it’s like skin

 

[doubleh]

Sunlight darkens leather? Interesting. I guess it makes sense if it’s like skin

It does the veg tanned variety to some extent and it's skin if you are a cow. Lots thicker and stronger than a human's of course.

 

[1KPerDay]

it's skin if you are a cow.

LOL I get that... I just wondered if melanin responded the same way after all the metabolic processes have stopped.

 

[Csinn]

Made a couple mistakes on this one, so I used it to experiment with the aging process. Realized after it was aged and finished that it was just too light. I double dipped it after finish work, which is never a good idea. Then aged it again, then finished it again. Not 100% sure if I'm finished with it or not. May add some funky stains to it.


View attachment 1203998

Looks fantastic!

 

[horsemen61]

Damn fine Work @CraigC

 

[Rodfac]

Made a couple mistakes on this one,

Yeah, Right...uh huh.....

Outstanding work Craig....and the 'well worn' look really emphasizes the superb stamp work. You set the bar pretty high for the rest of us fumblers. Best regards, Rod

 

[BobWright]

Craig,
Wonder what effect would result if you just coated it with neatsfoot oil? Seems to me that neatsfoot oil darkens and spoftens leather and would give it the "old timey" look.

Bob Wright

 

[doubleh]

Soft holsters have no place in my wheelhouse. I want them wet, well, damp molded to fit the gun they are made for and stay that way.

 

[CraigC]

I considered trying sun tanning. I thought it would darken enough through oiling and the finish work but it didn't. It already has more olive oil than I usually put on one so a coat of neatsfoot would probably be a step too far.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I get a nice random darkening effect on my knife sheaths by using sno seal and a heat gun. Gives some added weather protection too.

 

[vanfunk]

Stunning. I am covetous.

 

[BobWright]

Soft holsters have no place in my wheelhouse. I want them wet, well, damp molded to fit the gun they are made for and stay that way.

Granted. But how many old vintage holsters have you seen wet molded to the revolver? Craig is trying for the "antique look" not a modern carry holster.

While not an antique, or vintage, holster, this forty year plus holster lacks it original shape from years of being used:




While these are serious business, they are wet molded and shaped:




There' looks and then practicality. A holster can have both, but sometimes not.

Bob Wright

 

[Milt1]

Say what CraigC? It looks perfect!

 

[bannockburn]

Bob Wright

Wonder what effect would result if you just coated it with neatsfoot oil? Seems to me that neatsfoot oil darkens and spoftens leather and would give it the "old timey" look.

I don't know about the "old timey" look but applying Neetsfoot Oil to this unnstained U.S.A.F. Survival Knife sheath did darken it quite a bit.

 

[doubleh]

Craig is trying for the "antique look" not a modern carry holster

He has stated before while he is after the antique look he makes them to fit the gun. Soft leather won't hold that fit.

 

[BobWright]

He has stated before while he is after the antique look he makes them to fit the gun. Soft leather won't hold that fit.

Even so, it won't not fit.

Bob Wright