New leather slip case

[brazosland]

Birthday present for me from Crazy Crow.

This one: https://www.crazycrow.com/gun-covers/plains-gun-cover-fringed-54in

Should I do anything to treat or dye the leather? Or just let it age naturally?

 

[garypl]

Just use it and let it age. If you put anything on it I don’t think it will look very good - probably turn blotchy.

 

[Rod Man]

Looks good to me!, I’d let it ride and age on it’s on. Then again, I sometimes can let things alone. So, to each his own.

RM

 

[longcruise]

Think it depends on whether or not you want it to provide weather protection. If it's for weather, I'd give it a couple good treatments with sno seal or that mink stuff.

It will change the appearance though but you know what you want to use it for.

 

[deerstalkert]

i put ballistol on this one. front of the skin was darker then the reverse. the ballistol darkened it to the same. the fringes were two toned prior to the treatment. now they match and are very supple. and nothing else stains it. ymmv

 

[garypl]

I made a few cases from cowhide and elk hide and I like the natural look

 

[Hatman/2nd line]

Birthday present for me from Crazy Crow.

This one: https://www.crazycrow.com/gun-covers/plains-gun-cover-fringed-54in

Should I do anything to treat or dye the leather? Or just let it age naturally?

View attachment 141789

Hi Brazoland, I'd leave it alone, I have some of that same leather and if you try to put something on it you might be sorry, can turn blotchy. Happy Birthday!

 

[brazosland]

Thanks. Just wanted to make sure there wasn’t something that I didn’t know to do to it for looks or longevity.

 

[Hatman/2nd line]

Gotcha!

 

[SlidePicker]

I might oil it as suggested above, but I wouldn't dye it.v

 

[Mad L]

I found that Crazy Crow's German tan hide takes well to walnut dye, stiffens a little and needs some re-soffening and loses it's soft feel but seems 'tougher' when fully dry.
But I found stuff like Montana Pine Pitch made it almost 'gooy' untill fully dry, also I personally was not pleased with the color it turned.

Best bet is to obtain a scrap piece of any leather/hide and Test what you want to use before applying to a finished product.
Also keep in mind that Crazy Crow's German Tan is sueded on both sides; Sueded leather does not always take well to stuff that softens as you no longer have the epidermis (?? Skin/hair) side.
Actually some leather care products say right on them "Not suitable for sueded"

Other then then that: I used their German Smoked hide for a rifle bag and it has heald up great about four years now, weathered fine, and has many more years to go. The extra that i walnut dyed has made a pair of short legging and small belt bag - the hide gets 'more dense' after dying.

Note: the rifle bag (not case/sleeve), I mean 'bullet bag', possible bag (not really), shot bag....
It is Not treated with anything..

 

[brazosland]

Good info. I’m gonna leave the slip case as is and just let it get dirty from use.

Thought about using this same leather for leggings. May go a different way on that.

 

[SOLANCO]

I've used Pecard's for years. Good stuff. But I don't know if it's any good for suede.

 

[andy52]

If you want to darken it without dyes just put it out in the sun and turn it regularly. The sun will "Tan" it just like it does your skin. After it's darkened threat it with any good leather treatment and it will darken a bit more and be more waterproof.

 

[Mad L]

If you want to darken it without dyes just put it out in the sun and turn it regularly. The sun will "Tan" it just like it does your skin. After it's darkened threat it with any good leather treatment and it will darken a bit more and be more waterproof.

Not sure if that will work on suede deer hide?
I have done that a lot with veg tanned top grain leather but never with suede...would be interesting.
With top grain you can rub it daily with mineral oil to speed the darkening and get a rich brown (again depends on the leather).
But DON'T use baby oil!! You will walk around for months smelling like baby diapers! Just use straight mineral oil, it will also keep the leather soft and avoid cracking...