Mick MacAnselan Posted December 27, 2004 Share Posted December 27, 2004 I have a black leather baldric that I really like, but it's way too clean/new. I'm looking for ideas on how to distress/age this sucker to make it look old and beat up. Anyone have a good method? TIA. The Dread Pyrate MacAnselan aka Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackjohn Posted December 27, 2004 Share Posted December 27, 2004 Soak it in a super saturated solution of salt water for a spell, then let it sit in the sun... My Home on the Web The Pirate Brethren Gallery Dreams are the glue that holds reality together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawkyns Posted December 27, 2004 Share Posted December 27, 2004 How distressed and aged do you want it to look? Like it's an old and trusty friend that still gives good service, or something you just found abandoned in a cave? The salt water would do for the latter, but I wouldn't trust the leather to hold up afterwards. I'd get a good harness darkening oil and rub it in, using a hair dryer between applications to make sure it soaks well in. I'd take an almost dry swab of some dark leather dye ands put on a few stains, maybe even rub some blood into it, let it dry then try to clean it. At the point it curves over the shoulder, dampen the leather and rub the inside edge to flare it and smooth it some. If the buckle is brass, soak it in vinegar for a while 'till you get some tarnish. For steel, a fine spray of salt water will do, then clean them both to stop the reaction and remove surface rust or tarnish. One of the rules of the 'pirate codes' that are out there says to keep your weapons in good shape. letting the leather deteriorate doesn't square with that idea, not to me anyway. Well used and well maintained would seem to be the watchwords. if you can't let it age naturally with age, sweat and sun, then try my method. Hawkyns Cannon add dignity to what otherwise would be merely an ugly brawl I do what I do for my own reasons. I do not require anyone to follow me. I do not require society's approval for my actions or beliefs. if I am to be judged, let me be judged in the pure light of history, not the harsh glare of modern trends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkRose Posted December 27, 2004 Share Posted December 27, 2004 I agree Hawkins.... I make baldrics and have tried several things .....but in the end...wearing them seems to be the best way...and besides when people come to visit you always have a conversation starter.... darkRose The Enigmatic Rogue...and may always be<br /> <br /> "I kissed her... once with passion... once with love... and told her good bye" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Hand Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 If the buckle is brass, soak it in vinegar for a while 'till you get some tarnish. Hummmm.... never tried using vinegar... I've heard that rubbing brass with the cleaning patches after cleaning black powder, is sopose to age it.... (haven't tried it.... ) I just clean the laqure off the brass, and it ages anyway...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackjohn Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 How distressed and aged do you want it to look? Like it's an old and trusty friend that still gives good service, or something you just found abandoned in a cave? The salt water would do for the latter, but I wouldn't trust the leather to hold up afterwards. Being pirates, for the sake of accuracy I believe all of our kit should be soaked in salt water then left to bleach in the sun... In fact, right now I wish someone would do that to me!!! :) My Home on the Web The Pirate Brethren Gallery Dreams are the glue that holds reality together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Flint Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 BlackJohn.. never let it be said, that you are not a twisted individual... but then, thats what we love about you... As I have said before about aging any leather, wear it, use it and let time take its course. Keep it oiled and clean and nature will do the rest. If you choose to intentionally distress the leather, it will look that way. If you simply wear it and keep it clean, you will be amazed at how it will become soft and flexible. The look will be beautiful, while getting that broken in look. I have done a lot of work with leather and have seen it ruined by those who can't wait for it to age naturally. Trust me on this, let time and use take care of the look. It is important to treat leather well and it will last you a long long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the Royaliste Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 Being pirates, for the sake of accuracy I believe all of our kit should be soaked in salt water then left to bleach in the sun...In fact, right now I wish someone would do that to me!!! :) Hmm, 'aven't really seen where this technique works on leather. Bronze, brass, and copper, yes...leather?...just cracked once in a while, but usually just 'dry'...No reply on the human aspect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap'n Pete Straw Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 Iffen ye want te take some of the "newness" off yer leather, ye might try a bit o' sandpaper - especially te the edges. Depending on the leather, the grit will dull the finish, and per'aps allow some of the raw leather te peek out from beneath the black. Pay attention te the areas that would see most "use." In addition te that, ye need te wear it. A lot. Per'aps ye kin wear it playin' sports, or under a coat when yer commutin' te work -- that sort of thing. The more ye wear it, the more it will look.... um... worn. I caution ye against usin' sea water. 'Tis the ultimate enemy of leather, and will dry out yer leather faster than almost anything else, making it dry, brittle and, ultimately, useless. "He's a Pirate dancer, He dances for money, Any old dollar will do... "He's a pirate dancer, His dances are funny... 'Cuz he's only got one shoe! Ahhrrr!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Maria Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 I saw Baldrick on the History Channel yesterday and he already looks aged! Oh you mean the baldrick you wear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackjohn Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 Cap'n Flint wrote: BlackJohn.. never let it be said, that you are not a twisted individual... but then, thats what we love about you... Thanks. :) As I have said before about aging any leather, wear it, use it and let time take its course. Keep it oiled and clean and nature will do the rest. If you choose to intentionally distress the leather, it will look that way. If you simply wear it and keep it clean, you will be amazed at how it will become soft and flexible. The look will be beautiful, while getting that broken in look. I have done a lot of work with leather and have seen it ruined by those who can't wait for it to age naturally. Trust me on this, let time and use take care of the look. It is important to treat leather well and it will last you a long long time. All the leather gods I know say the same, hence my advice to do something completely different. Fwiw, I am very tempted to try my soak it in salt water, rinse, then bake the sun method followed by the tried and true oil it and take loving care of it method, just to see what the results might be. My Home on the Web The Pirate Brethren Gallery Dreams are the glue that holds reality together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hurricane Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 If you're re-enacting or portraying the a period, the baldric would indeed be new at some point... so why would you want it to look at aged? I agree with Hawkyns, a pirate kept his weapons and equipment in fine working order. So it would be OK if a pirate had taken a baldric from some poor dandy in a battle and wore it fairly new. Same issue with coinage - coins in the period were shiny and new looking (since that's when they were minted) but so many portrayers seek out old coins. It defies the period and just looks like you're a modern pirate carrying old looking stuff. Same with the badric issue. Mine came from a great leathersmith and it is finally beginning to show age after a year of two of wearing aboard ship and abusing it through natural use. No need to rush the aging process. -- The Captain -- Hurricane ______________________________________________________________________ http://piratesofthecoast.com/images/pyracy-logo1.jpg Captain of The Pyrates of the Coast Author of "Memoirs of a Buccaneer: 30 Year Before the Mast" (Published in Fall 2011) Scurrilous Rogue Stirrer of Pots Fomenter of Mutiny Bon Vivant & Roustabout Part-time Carnival Barker Certified Ex-Wife Collector Experienced Drinking Companion "I was screwed. I readied my confession and the sobbing pleas not to tell my wife. But as I turned, no one was in the bed. The room was empty. The naked girl was gone, like magic." "Memoirs of a Buccaneer: 30 Years Before the Mast" - Amazon.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackjohn Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 This came through just recently from a member of group's mail list and I'd thought I'd pass it along. HI, All. One of the oldest recipes for darkening leather (actuallyblackening) using materials that you most likely have around the house is to soak rusty objects in vinegar and applying the liquid thus gotten to the oak-tanned leather. Ink was made in a similar way, using the tannin in oak galls as a substitute in this case for the tannin in the leather. Also, don't worry that the vinegar (acetic acid) will somehow destroy the leather...it sat in tannic acid for quite a while. If you are really panicky you can rinse, dry and oil afterwards. Have fun, Mike T. My Home on the Web The Pirate Brethren Gallery Dreams are the glue that holds reality together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gentleman of Fortune Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 The other thing is that sailors of all time periods, seldom have "nothing to do" on a ship. If they are not taking care of the ship, they are probably taking care of their gear. If your badric is not in good shape at sea, where do you get another? Better to keep it in tip top condition so you have all your equipment when you need it. Save the distressed equipment look for the POTC3 extras call. GOF Come aboard my pirate re-enacting site http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/ Where you will find lots of information on building your authentic Pirate Impression! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackjohn Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 The other thing is that sailors of all time periods, seldom have "nothing to do" on a ship. If they are not taking care of the ship, they are probably taking care of their gear. If your badric is not in good shape at sea, where do you get another?Better to keep it in tip top condition so you have all your equipment when you need it. Unless we believe the "party line" that pirates wanted "nothing to do." In which case, if on of my fellow pirates - better yet, an "officer" - doesn't force me to clean my gear, I'd rather just lay about on deck in a drunken stupor until the rum runs out! I'll keep my pistols in proper firing order, but I'm not going to worry about much else. My Home on the Web The Pirate Brethren Gallery Dreams are the glue that holds reality together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gentleman of Fortune Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 i understand what you are saying. I just think that i would l have a different perspective toward my gear and clothing if i spent 6 months or more at sea. Sure, maybe no one was "forcing" you to repair your trousers, but if they wore out, you would have to make or buy another pair from the ships store at an overly inflated price. I am sure that some sailors would cut off there nose to spite their face, however, we who live in the Walmart Age, view things differently than they did I bet. GOF Come aboard my pirate re-enacting site http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/ Where you will find lots of information on building your authentic Pirate Impression! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackjohn Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Sure, maybe no one was "forcing" you to repair your trousers, but if they wore out, you would have to make or buy another pair from the ships store at an overly inflated price. Or strip 'em from the next passenger who wore a pair you fancied... My point is, think different mindset. And even then, my guesses as to what a pirate mindset is is just that, a guess, based on a) some knowledge of first-hand accounts and b.) my own skewed belief system/sense of justice. My Home on the Web The Pirate Brethren Gallery Dreams are the glue that holds reality together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gentleman of Fortune Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 oki Come aboard my pirate re-enacting site http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/ Where you will find lots of information on building your authentic Pirate Impression! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackjohn Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Should I split this topic and move this portion to Rabble Rousing??? My Home on the Web The Pirate Brethren Gallery Dreams are the glue that holds reality together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PyratePhil Posted February 1, 2005 Share Posted February 1, 2005 I think a Mindset thread would be interesting... ...Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum... ~ Vegetius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
callenish gunner Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 i have worked with leather for 40 years and i would never soak my leather in salt water unless i had more money than brains it will strip the leather of it's natural oils and shorten the life by 80% ... if needs be i would used the sandpaper trick and then use oils on it the colour will be varied but the surface will be of different textures as well .... without sacrificing the integrity of the hide .....i have done some of this type thing for a few films ... they would have used whale oil or fish oil but a waxws base waterproofing will nourish the leather but also keep the old appearance :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackjohn Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 hahaha... I guess I can take that as an insult??? Fwiw, I'm going to stand by my crazy notion of soaking it in saltwater as a way to emulate the nasty conditions seen by those pirates so long ago. ps - don't mind me, I'm feeling quite silly right now... My Home on the Web The Pirate Brethren Gallery Dreams are the glue that holds reality together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshuaRed Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 Yeah them's fightin words! Let it be settled ashore - first blood wins. Now then, aging - Instead of salt, you could simulate that whitened look by merely rubbing pastel chalk dust in white or gray all over the baldric to dull the newness of it. Allow it to remain in recesses, cracks, etc, the wipe off the areas that are in contact with skin, clothing, etc as they would remain shinier longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackjohn Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 I think a Mindset thread would be interesting... me too!!! but I think something similar may have already taken hold in Capt Twill My Home on the Web The Pirate Brethren Gallery Dreams are the glue that holds reality together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Hand Posted April 10, 2005 Share Posted April 10, 2005 I got looking at a really old belt of mine, noticing how it was worn and aged, I then started to "age" my pyrate belt.... Tools needed... file sandpaper a hammer small chunk of canvas or rough cloth tablespoon On the old belt, the edges are rounded and smooth, so I used the file and sandpaper to shape the newer belt that way, I then dampened the edges with water and using the hammer, pounded the "fuzzyness" off the edge untill it was smooth and rounded. I used the tablespoon and then the canvas to burnish any remaining rough fuzzy spots. When it was done, the edges were slightly shinny, but looked like the old belt. To add some "wear" to the surfice of the belt, I dampened it, and using the handle of the spoon, carved (but not cut) some dings into the belt. The next step is to oil the leather, and slightly polish it (my boss is a horse person, so I will "borrow" some of her leather oil) This way, makes the leather look old and worn, but does not weaken it.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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