Wet forming leather to Form Fit tips

[ADK Ephraim]

Anyone willing to share tips for wet forming leather to fit objects? Looking to make a strap held tomahawk case for a new hawk. Thanks, in advance!!

 

[mazo kid]

I don't know if it was the right way, but.... I got my piece of leather cut over size for my Ft. Meigs ax, got it wet enough that it was pretty limp. Then wrapped my ax head in Saran Wrap and snugged the whole thing in my vise between a couple of pieces of wood. Be careful how you tighten the vise and what you use to put between the jaws....I ended up with a bit of wood grain imprinted on the leather! Just let it dry good and it was wet-formed for a perfect fit. Trim to size and stitch it up.

 

[pichou]

For knives I wrap the blade in some newspaper and then blue painter's tape. Then shape the wet leather over that. You can add a plastic bag under the tape if you are worried about rust.

 

[D Sanders]

I made a holster for a cap and ball revolver once and sprayed the gun down with W-D 40 and wrapped it in a plastic bag. Then I soaked the leather in water as one of the other members described. Then let it dry with the gun in the holster. It worked very well.

Hawken Hunter

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"I like big guns, big bullets and lots of smoke"

 

[davemcg]

I made a holster for a cap and ball revolver once and sprayed the gun down with W-D 40 and wrapped it in a plastic bag. Then I soaked the leather in water as one of the other members described. Then let it dry with the gun in the holster. It worked very well.

Hawken Hunter

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"I like big guns, big bullets and lots of smoke"

I did the same thing with a pistol I had but neglected to protect it with WD or plastic, really buggered up the blueing.
Live and learn.....hopefully!

 

[crockett]

Everything everyone said is correct. On some projects you might have to build a wood form or tape a projection, etc on to what you are using, for example if the leather is to go higher than the head on the hawk- tape on an extension so the leather doesn't shrink around the top.

On a hawk it's not a problem but on a knife sheath- make sure the wrapping is strong and can't tear- other wise it may get stuck down in the bottom of the sheath, etc.

 

[Harold1950]

Its not PC but what I do when I make a holster and want to form it to a gun is to wet the holster then I put it between two seat cushions the kind you find on boats, also used to throw to someone overboard, and then put that between two pieces of plywood and clamp it in four places, really forms to whatever you are making the leather for............hope this helps......

 

[George Kevil]

I like the others grease the blade then plastic wrap then tape it tight .I get the leather wet and start forming it with my hands into the creased. I make sand bags out of bagggies and sandwich the blade in between them.And on top it all I put a weight to squish it all down. Sometimes you have to adjust the amount of sand.Just keep playing around with it as drys and it will take the blade shape. If this makes sense.

 

[Freedom]

This info only applies to Tooling/Skirting leather...

If you use real vegetable tan Skirting/Tooling leather (highly suggested) all you have to do is get it wet with warm water...No Need to Soak! just wet it for 30seconds or so in the sink and let it soak in for a minute.

Then wrap/press/rub it by hand around what ever you wish to shape it to and you have it formed....No need to let it dry around the object. It will hold that shape forever....It will be as clay so be careful or you will damage/mark it with fingernails or anything else it comes in contact with....you can even wrinkle it if you push to hard with you thumb while shapeing.

I make most of my stuff to size and when it is all stitched and complete."then" wet it and form it.

Many people think that the leather product they make will shrink as they dry but this is not really true. The leather swells in thickness when wet so as it dries, the thickness shrinks and it acctually opens up the grip it has on the product being formed to.

When dry give it a complete dip in quality Neats foot oil....100% ONLY not that compound trash.

Hope this helps.

Here is a picture of the sheath i just made for my 3J hawk...can't get the picture to load so here is a link.
http://cid-37700c349c0618b4.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Tomahawk Sheath/DSC|_0195.jpg

 

[Freedom]

Got it!! :thumbsup: small pic but at least....

Leather used was 9/10oz or 5/32 thick

 

[hpbear101]

When I do my wet forming on holsters I put the leather in a plastic bag and add rubbing alcohol. Shake it around until all of the leather is wet. You will still have plenty of time to form the leather, but the leather will dry quicker and whatever you are forming to will also dry quicker.

tom

 

[ADK Ephraim]

Thanks to all who responded!! You've given enough hints to allow me to proceed with confidence.