1851/1860 Slim Jim Rig

Here's a few shots of a new Slim Jim rig I just finished. Pictured with my 5½" 1860. Holster is a right hand crossdraw for a 5½" 1851/1860/1861. The medium brown came out a lot darker than "medium" but it's a really nice, rich color. Belt is 2½" and has some neck wrinkles towards the buckle that I think give it a nice character. It has a big brass buckle that I aged to match the 1/4" metal spots. Held in place with #12 copper rivets. Everything is border stamped and there are a few conchos scattered about. A member over on THR is soon to be the proud new owner of this rig. He granted me some artistic license and I really like how the double groove and brass spots turned out. I love the oval conchos and thought that three spaced along the belt's length was just right. The star concho that customer picked out for the holster is perfect. I think it turned out really nice and would be proud to wear it myself if I didn't need another few inches of belt. :wink:

 

[Rifleman1776]

Beautifully done. :thumbsup:
Anyone would be proud to wear that rig.

 

[BrownBear]

Beautiful work!

The medium brown came out a lot darker than "medium" but it's a really nice, rich color.

I might be selling ice to Eskimos, but I mostly sorted that out thanks to someone here on the site. If you're already doing it or have a better way, that's the ice and Eskimos part of my post.

I mist the leather with water (my wife's plant mister) then dye using an air brush. Dye it lightly for one coat, then add a second coat a few minutes later while still damp, rather than trying to get it done in one application. No blotching, bleeding or anything else while getting a nice uniform color without having to saturate and darken the leather.

 

This was the first time I used Eco-Flo professional water stain. Which is a little thicker than most dyes but not as thick as their antiquing gel. That's actually three applications. I wipe it on and by the time I get it on the whole thing, I start wiping it off. I had the color I wanted but the gum trag is what darkened it. I guess I need to experiment more with scraps until I figure out how many applications will give me what I wanted.

 

[BrownBear]

I've used Fiebings for years, but on a recent trip to CA learned you can't buy it there any more. Soooo, I tried the Eco-Flo, noting they recommend thinning with water, which I did. But I also pre-dampened the leather. Results were good enough that I bought more of the stuff.

I can still get Fiebings here in AK, and I have several colors in quarts. Happy to use it, but if the time comes and I have to pay hazmat or some such to get it to my remote location, I'll happily switch to the Tandy Eco-Flo, thinning it a little and pre-wetting the leather.

Good feedback on your use of Eco-Flo. I'm still learning about the stuff! Your results are further encouragement. :thumbsup:

 

I'm doing this stuff in the house so I have to stick with water-based dyes and finishes for now. We're about to enclose the existing garage and build a new one, which will have a finished workshop/man cave over it. I was planning on incorporating a ventilation system (might smoke a cigar or two :wink anyway. So I'll wait until then to use any of the spirit dyes. Which might just be where I'll end up.

I also damp the leather before dyeing, just as I would for tooling. I get much better penetration with the regular water-based dyes than this stuff. I may try thinning it with water to see if it gets a little deeper and that might help with the color too. I'm just glad I didn't try the "dark" brown!

Seems like Will Ghormley had an article about using the pro water stains on his site. I'll go look for it.

 

[necchi]

:shocked2: Wow! :thumbsup:

 

[BrownBear]

Seems like Will Ghormley had an article about using the pro water stains on his site. I'll go look for it.

If you come across it, post a link. I still have a lot to learn about the stuff, but so far the results are really promising. Living on an island, I'm anticipating hazmat fees or outright prohibitions some day for shipping spirit dyes.

 

[BrownBear]

Found it here.

 

[wattlebuster]

Great job. Best looking rig I've seen in a long time :thumbsup: :hatsoff:

 

Thanks again guys for the kind words. I'm definitely still in the learning process too! This is only the 5th holster and 2nd belt I've done but I feel like each one is better than the one before.

Yep, that's it! I've also got a bunch of his pattern packs and can't wait to make a Dodge City holster. For something.....anything. :thumbsup:

 

[cutshurt]

That is great work sir !!!

Darrel

 

[Arrowhead]

That is very nice work.

I hardly ever make anything anymore. I always used Fiebing's oil based dye when I was active. By the way, it is also excellent for wood.

I did have a S&W M&P .40 follow me home recently and I rounded up a piece of leather from S&D Trading for a holster but that is for some other forum. Maybe I'll try some water based dye on it.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

Really, really great :thumbsup:

 

Thanks guys!

Got another Slim Jim coming through the pipeline. This one a little plainer for an 1862 Police.

 

[Tater John]

Pretty darn good :thumbsup:! Show off rig for sure

 

Thank you!

 

[MSW]

great looking rig!

 

Thanks!