stiffening leather?

[jtmattison]

How can I stiffen a suede leather shooting pouch? I have one made by Oklahoma Leather and it is very soft and flexible. I'd like to harden the leather.
Any tips?

HD

 

[tom hargrove]

could try laquer ot varnish :winking: that should make it quite stiff after it drys.

 

[bwhoffman]

how about using a flexible fabric glue and putting in a pillow tick lining??

...just a thought
Brett

 

[Norskie]

Soak it in melted beeswax, but it won't look like suede anymore.

 

[barebackjack]

You could try tincture of benzoin. We use it on our bareback gloves, it stiffens and strengthens leather.

The only drawback is it turns the leather dark brown, but i would think if used sparingly on the inside it wouldnt run through.

 

[riverrat43]

Tandy sells a "fabric stiffener" or leather stiffener if you will. It is a white material like a fiber cloth. You can use Barge cement to glue it to the insides after cutting to fit, then you might want to cover with ticking to hide it. That would stiffen it up a bit I think.

 

[jtmattison]

You could try tincture of benzoin. We use it on our bareback gloves, it stiffens and strengthens leather.

The only drawback is it turns the leather dark brown, but i would think if used sparingly on the inside it wouldnt run through.

Where can I get some?
I don't mind if it darkens the leather.

HD

 

[barebackjack]

Try[url] clgpro.com[/url] or[url] barstowprorodeo.com[/url]

 

[crockett]

You could use one of the waterproofing sealers sold by Tnady ON THE INSIDE. IT will probably discolor the leather and make soak through to the outside. The Canvas/ticking lining is your best bet and can be applied with rubber cement- which will help waterproof the bag.
Another idea is to change the way you use the bag. On a soft bag you can take all the seldom used tools and roll them up in some ticking/patching cloth and put them in the bottom of the bag. On top of this you could put a bullet board and a short starter attached. If that is the only item on top of the bundle, you can reach blind into the bag and grab it. You can attach the powder measure to your horn and a leather capper to the bag's strap (if you shoot percussion).