Leather leg bag

[rendoman]

Yes Sir! I've seen this kind of pocket and I wanted to try. For sure there are other good ways to make pockets with nice style, I have to search for a better shape.
Having to hand sewing I tried to avoid difficult internal passages, not confortable with small volume pocket.
It should be cowhide (vacchetta in italian), 2mm +/-, slightly less than leather used for belt, not dyed. That's a new "scrap", about 2euro / foot. I never heard about this Neatsfoot Oil, I will made a search for this, it gives exactly the color I like to reproduce! I hope I will find in local shop, if not I will buy in internet, i don't want to ruin the final bag for a bad product
Question: is good to treat leather with grease or oils to keep it soft?

[Toolmaker51]

Especially for rendoman and C-Bag a flash on neatsfoot...

I believe that petro based oils degrade leather [unless treated for an oil seal] just like they do to wood. Over oiled boxlock and sidelock shotguns often have evidence of this.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neatsfoot_oil
I'm sure it is available worldwide, especially that cattle are the source. Compared to lard and other animal fats, it doesn't congeal in cold temperatures.

[C-Bag]

When I was a kid you could find Neatsfoot oil anywhere. Then it went away and you mostly saw shoe care junk that had little animal oils and was mostly petro based. Total garbage. Then a month ago we got a new Tractor Supply store here and they have a lot of farm and animal husbandry supplies, and there was Neatsfoot oil! Got me a pint and use it on my work boots and leather work gloves. We have a lot of farmers and horse riders here and they use this on their saddles and tack.

I wish I'd not gotten rid of that calculator pouch I made because that might give you some ideas. It was two pieces , the pouch wrapped around, not out on the edges like yours. And the belt loop/flap was what connected the back together. All rivets so it was easier to put together than sewing. It would be impossible to sew the bottom because there was not enough room. But rivets you put on like the same kind of anvil you do shoes on, voila! And never comes loose and I like the look.

[rendoman]

Hi!
If I understand, I have to search for leather oil natural, not petro based right?

[rendoman]

Hi all!
I changed my mind, I used velcro for external pockets. The reason is basically that is more practical to use in real life than buckle, I'm thinking about put even on the internal wallet pocket. I used only the powerful adeprene glue, the gluing power is awsome!
I found in a saddlery shop in the near town the good neatsfoot compound from an english company, a bit expensive, but seems nice! It has a dark and complex color, full-bodied texture, it should be a mix of natural and mineral oil. I found also a pure oil, but it's really clear color, straw, and sold in 125ml bottle.

[rendoman]

One part each day!

I tried the new oil, it's pretty good! Only one hand, I think in 2\3 times the color will be very good, it's pretty vintage and nice to see and to touch! a very good advice, thanks!

[rendoman]

Bag Is finally taking shape!
Enough internal volume to put a bridge camera easily.
I gave a second coat of oil to the belt, color is more rich and intense, there is a light patina of "glitter", maybe the oil needs more time to dry. I will take a pic soon.

[rendoman]

Just finished the back plate with internal pocket.
I doubled the leather in the belt zone, I'm not sure it was necessary... but for some reason I did it.
I also found today some scrap of true python, I want to make a keychain, or maybe a colombian narcos style holster

[rendoman]

Sewing work finished, now it's time to clean and put the oil for finishing
I put some water on the flaps in order to shape
The bag is very strong!

[rendoman]

Finished!

Bag and 2 belt drank a pint of oil! (450 ml +/-) but now they are even glue and blood-proof ( unluckily tested, I hurt myself with the eye of the needle, I touched inadvertently the leather with blood, but no trace on surface )
It's pretty heavy and not so flexible, but very pleasant to wear!