Artifically ageing leather

[Cutfingers]

I've been using the Easy-Off method but would like to find a way that does not use such harsh chemicals.
I do not know if this topic has been hashed out before or not. If so then please refer me the thread and if not what are your thoughts?

 

[Comrade Coffin]

I always found that taking your item out into the field and using it for a couple of years was the best method.

Alternatively you could try my wife, she has managed to artificially age me.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

:rotf: :rotf: :rotf:

 

I always found that taking your item out into the field and using it for a couple of years was the best method.

I think he means so it can be done quickly, prior to selling. :wink:

 

[Rifleman1776]

I do not know if this topic has been hashed out before or not.

I'm not sure this topic has been hashed out. But the same premise has been, many times.
The misunderstanding/confusion/debate/jug passing/etc. comes from the notion that a person living 200 years ago would have been using 200 year old equipment. :shocked2: He would have been wearing a new bag that aged naturally with time and use. Unless you personally look 200 years old, you don't need to be carrying a bag that looks that old. Make yer bag and enjoy. It will acquire that well loved and used appearance with time.

 

I strongly disagree. Personally, I love leather that looks old and well-used but don't want to have to buy leather with that new look and use it for 50yrs to get it there. Same for artificially aged guns. It's nice to be able to buy a brand new $500 sixgun made of new materials with a bright and shiny bore that shoots like a million bucks but looks 100yrs old and does not cost $3000 or have a pitted bore and worn out innards.

You don't have to be 200yrs old to carry something that is 200yrs old. Should I sell my 100yr old guns because I'm too young for them??? Sounds kinda silly, put that way, does it not?

 

[omarick1948]

I don't think that cutfinger was asking what was PC/HC or XYZ, but how to get an aged look to his leather pouch without using Easyoff! ___ I don't know the type of leather he is using, so I can't offer a plan.

Rick

 

[LRB]

I agree with Craig, and find a certain charm in aged equiptment that is done well. I do prefer it be done on the conservative side. More a well used look than an excavated relic. Worn hard, but with minimal abuse. With leather, the only way I've found to age it, without harm to the molecular structure of the leather, is with stains and medium coarse sandpaper. I suppose one could get bold and drag the article down a gravel road, but there are none near me.

 

[AWsaddles]

Not for sure what kind of leather u are using but sometimes you can use a little shoe polish in areas to age and distress an item but a lot depends on leather type

 

[Sperit de bois]

Got the answer,,Grand kids,,got five boys 4-9 years old,you just give it to them,,they can take a splitting maul brand new and in just a blink of an eye,,you have an antique,with a cracked handle.. :haha:
Just let the kids have it for the day,little guidance and turn them loose.

 

[ChrisPer]

I remember reading that an English Lord would give new jackets to the gardener, who would wear it at work with a few stones in the pockets to take away the 'new-bought' look.

 

[Rick Son]

A friend over at cascity leather forum was making a wide frontier knife belt and had wet it purty good,well he stuck it in the microwave and it got some pretty good cracks in it,He figured he screwed it up and was going to toss it when another friend in Mn. saw it and said he would like it.He ended up putting the brass tacks on it along with a sheath and sent it to me as i collect such.It is absolutely perfect and worn looking.I mad my friend a couple of nice dreamcatchers for it which is what he likes.
I stuck it on ole Daniel Bones for holloween..

 

[LaBonte]

a strong baking soda or better washing soda (check the laundry area) mixture will do it - like Easy Off (actually the it's the lye) - what causes the cracks is alkaline burn - experiment and be careful about the time and be sure to rinse well - too much and the leather will get way too brittle..

I'm not sure this topic has been hashed out. But the same premise has been, many times.
The misunderstanding/confusion/debate/jug passing/etc. comes from the notion that a person living 200 years ago would have been using 200 year old equipment. He would have been wearing a new bag that aged naturally with time and use. Unless you personally look 200 years old, you don't need to be carrying a bag that looks that old. Make yer bag and enjoy. It will acquire that well loved and used appearance with time.

Your opinion could use some back up with a bit more study....
1) Not everything that gets the aged look today looks 200 years old - it can be done light to heavy - if you don't like don't buy it or wear it, but others mileage DOES vary.....
2) Your mis-understanding, etc. is that everybody started out with new stuff - while everything started out new at one time or another, used goods were available and even traded for - second hand guns for trade even went to rendezvous for instance and the Hawken Bros always had used gear - guns, plus - available for sale/trade. During the period, boys and the youngest men often carried hand me downs rather than new gear...that can all be doumented to most of the 18th/19th Century....
3) Gear carried everyday, day in and day out in all kinds of weather and conditions, ages much faster than most folks will ever experience - I have experienced first hand how fast gear can age when you can't always dry it out and it stays wet for days, it gets carried in the hot sun and drys out, it gets dirty and mungy, etc. for days and weeks on end and not just a weekend or a week here and there. Most of todays gear experiences periodic accumulated wear over several months or years and if taken care of - brought home after the weekend event and dried properly for instance, just does not wear at the same rate as something carried 24/7 long term, again that's experience not speculation.
ask anyone who was say on Guadalcanal or in SE Asia in the 60's and 70's and how quickly gear wore/wears out when not able to be kept up properly or replaced in a timely fashion.......

 

[Cutfingers]

Guess I need to check my own topic more often. Yes some folks like the premature aged look and I want to acheive it w/o the harsh chemicals such as EasyOff.
I have aged buffalo with the EasyOff method and it comes out great but I'm sure I'm doing permanate damage to my brain even with the use of a mask.
Most of my stuff is made with 3/4 oz and 8/9 oz tooling leather and the EasyOff works well but is in no way consistent.
So what I want is a non harsh chemical that will give me consistent results.

 

[LRB]

I would be interested in that myself.