2-toned thongs

[Jeff Roseborough]

Yes I know it is easier to use pre-dyed leather for 2 tone work but in a pinch you can dye your own leather. I have made several cowhide whips where I dyed the leather. I was unhappy with the results as the colors bled a bit. I've never tried to dye kangaroo until today. I am wanting to make a 2-toned stockwhip, natural and red for awhile now. I have 1 natural drum stuffed hide in stock. On the cowhide whips the dye I used was alcohol based and made the strands very brittle. I even cut a finger on a sharp leather edge. This is even after I greased the strands! For this project I am using a water based dye from Tandy Leather.

I cut a strand from a piece of natural drum stuffed kangaroo. This I cut in half so I could plait 2-toned. One half I dyed red using a wool dauber. I dipped the dauber into the dye sparingly and brushed it onto the leather strand. I only dyed the outside surface. It dried pretty quickly and then I ran it through an old towel to get rid of excess dye. I then sealed the strands (both natural and red) using a mixture of Elmer's Wood glue and water; about a 1:3 ratio glue/water. I applied the glue to all sides of both strands using a cotton ball soaked in the mixture. I then let the strands dry for about 20 minutes.

After the strands were dry I applied some plaiting soap (water, lard, and Ivory soap) and began a 4-plait round braid. Amazingly there was no bleeding of the colors! The natural is a little dark from the plaiting soap but that was expected.

Obviously this would be a little more work in making a whip but it definitely expands the possibilities. Natural Kangaroo hides are more readily available than colored hides and a bit cheaper too.

Any others have experience dying leather?

[Jeremy McEachern]

I've never sealed it with anything but plaiting soap. That what Paul Nolan recommended to me when I was first attempting to dye falls. I've not had it bleed but at the same time I haven't plaited any dyed leather.

[Eddie Talmadge]

so i've been dying all my own cord lately, it allows me to get the exact color that i want. anyhow heres what i do get your strands ready to plait cut streach bevel, but do not grease them. Then use your alcohol based dye and then whipe off the excess and let it dry for a couple hours. then liberally lubricate the strands with plaiting soap, and let sit for an hour or two, then whipe off the excess soap and strech again. let sit for a couple more hours then you are good to go.