How to Oil and Antique Tooled Leather Projects

This is a Bonus Video to our Tooling Series videos that we created. In the tooling series, we walked you through my tooling process step by step showing the tools and techniques to accomplish this floral pattern.
If you haven't seen those videos, here is a link to a post we created on our blog with all four of those videos all in one location. (You can also find all the videos in one playlist here on the channel.)
dgsaddlery.com/how-to-tool-fl...
If you want to tool this pattern along with us, then here is a direct link so that you can get your copy of the Free Pattern to print and use. There is also a link in the above mentioned blog post.
dgsaddlery.com/free5flowerpat...
In this video, I show you my oiling and antiquing process. The finish that I did on this piece is what we call a "Light Oil Antique" and it is one of our most popular finishes in the shop.
We have created previous videos on antiquing and oiling, but this video dives in a little deeper. Here are links to those two previous videos if you want to check those out.
Antiquing video: • antique video
Oiling leather: • Q & A Episode #1
Thank you so much and be sure to hit that subscribe button!

[@Lillian.M.]

Don you are by far an amazing man, you give so much of yourself in your teaching, skills and knowledge and for this I personally Thank You ! I am learning so much from each video you do.

[@deangrieger5241]

I would like to say that I watch and rewatch most of your videos...In my view you are a true leather craftsman. Just sayin....

[@azhighpockets8226]

The series of 4 videos topped off with this finishing video were just terrific! It takes extra time and patience to verbally walk through each step/process plus equally as important - the why behind it, including the good/bad outcomes - so we end up with a really good understanding. Thank you so much for making the time to create these videos for us!

[@tamaraerickson1933]

Thanks so much Don! Your videos are so helpful and informative!!!

[@markashlock8058]

Wow...Just Wow!! Thanks Don!

[@victoriarobison5088]

Great step by step series. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge.

[@amybland9679]

Thank you for your ongoing generosity. I have learned so much from you in the past few weeks. The tooling series and this follow up on antique were priceless. Thank you for taking the time to help me and many others like me that just needed a little push to get us over our fear of tooling. This series was exactly what I needed.

[@rodneyhale7154]

As usual great information, thanks for the video! Thanks Rodney

[@robertbutler4393]

Thanks, Don. Great stuff. Answered a lot of my questions.

[@Deezhan]

Thank you Don for sharing your experience with us without charging a dime! You are a great guy!

[@LizDavis2009]

Beautiful piece and great instructional video!! Thanks Don!!!

[@Nikos1074]

Thank you, I have enjoyed watching your videos very much. I do appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

[@TinaThevarge]

Thank you so much. I was wondering about finishing. I haven’t started tooling yet, still gathering my basic tools, but I’ve been watching videos and tutorials. This answered all my questions so far.

[@jenrizar660]

That’s amazing Sr appreciate your time

[@obxsouth12]

Thank you for these tutorials. These have been informative and enjoyable. Very much appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

[@Atcraftcity]

All the best to you, Don! Great videos...extremely educational. Thanks for promoting leathercraft!

[@crystalsnodgrass7145]

I love your King Ropes hat! I'm from Sheridan Wyoming and went to school with the King girls. Love this series and I cant wait to get started with leather tooling

[@mikelancaster5345]

Don - what a great series - thank you for sharing - I learnt so much from them. Keep up the great work and again thank you for always being so willing to share.

[@mikeboone4425]

Out standing Don as always . Happy Trails

[@lynyang4282]

THANK YOU! Your knowledge and experience is valued and helpful. Love your videos.

[@garyjones215]

Thanks Don, i appreciate your sharing so many "secrets of the master" with us, Brotha.

[@stoneylundin]

Thanks for the tutorial, piece looks great.

[@katherinecox]

Thanks for being so thorough! You answered a lot of my questions 👍🏻

[@thetexaskidd71]

Thanks for sharing that informative video Don!

[@charlessullivan8861]

WOW! Excellent information, thanks for sharing!

[@l.wolfm.7006]

Your tooling style is freaking incredible!!!

[@SquirrelsForAll]

Don, your work is incredible and I dearly enjoy your videos. Thanks for your wonderful lessons.

[@RayofNay]

Your tutorials are THE BEST! Thank you so much! The how and why of it is so helpful. Very grateful for you Don.

[@annwaters9484]

Thank you! That's the Best explanation of oiling and antiquing that I have seen/heard!

[@wlben67]

Great video. Thanks for the follow up so soon. Good Job Don.

[@neilyeag]

Thanks very complete explanation of the procedure, products and process.

[@danbaker96]

I’ve been wondering how to antique leather and this video is a perfect learning tool ! Thank you !

[@timsanders4621]

Man, the information and techniques you share are just awesome. Thank you so very much.

[@chrishaynes4430]

Thanks for the video and knowledge. I just got back into leather working and run up on your channel thanks

[@mikerobertson4041]

Incredible artistry! That final coat of Tan-Kote really makes a huge difference!

[@dhaynes713]

Definitely the best antiquing video there is. I’m newer to this and you answered all the questions I had about it. Thanks so much and keep up the awesome work!

[@danturley8809]

Seriously my favorite tutorial in the leather craft. You are the best.

[@Auntyweehaa]

Stunning work!~ Great video! Helpful to a newly!

[@axe609]

Thank you, your experience is very valuable to me. We loose so much of our traditional knowledge, saddlery and leather work has shrunk and changed a lot over the past 100 years. Your clear teaching and sharing of your knowledge and experience has helped me and I am sure countless others. I would love to see some of your restoration work, as far as cleaning, conditioning and repairing leather tack or goods. Again thank you for your effort and sharing.

[@ed-mh7zl]

I second this comment!

[@GottliebGoltz]

Ditto.

[@chematta2745]

Yup

[@Glennoutdoors]

Thanks for your time, your the Best !!

[@maryspence5331]

Thanks, Donald! My first time on your channel and I really love your style. I have never done Tan Kote between dye and antique...and now I have something new to try. I think you just solved a problem I have been having! Thank you!!!

[@REAL_LIFE]

This is beautiful! Thank you for sharing what I'm sure you have worked long and hard to learn!

[@wulfschlueter2112]

Great video I always learn something new watching them

[@rogervelazquez194]

What a great video, I learned so much and can't wait to get started on finishing my work. Thank you so much.

[@hhhhhhhhh61]

I love how you go into great detail about the why of things, and different reasons for all of the processes. Giving examples and variations based on the look you might want to achive. Such a wealth of information. Thank you so much for sharing your vast knowledge.

[@jimgallagher5785]

Just tried your technique on a holster, and it worked like a charm! Thanks

[@njneer]

Awesome video! Thanks, I have always struggled with this sort of thing but I will definitely try this process on my current project.

[@billmccaffrey1977]

Great close to this series.

[@aussiepete67]

Thanks so much for this great video... exactly what I needed.. G'day from Brisbane Australia 👋

[@tjbelcher3144]

Great advice and knowledge passed to us mere mortals lol. Very much appreciated.

[@joshuapoche5137]

Well now i know what ive been doing wrong with antique. I missed the resist step before the antique. Thanks for the info

[@missk2876]

Always fantastic

[@Floyd7200]

Beautiful work. Thank you.

[@Meanfidler]

Great videos and Thank You Sir!!

[@mariongause1095]

Very well presented 👍 thank you !

[@johntyson9102]

Thanks for the oil and and the antique lesson

[@rfleecs]

Always appreciate your time and effort creating these videos! Learning from the master is really beneficial to anyone who wants to improve their craft!!!

[@ronfleecs3666]

👍👍👍

[@johnkennedyswenja]

thanks Don, looks great

[@scotthaney50]

Thank you so much for this video. It helped me so much. I didn't understand why to use oil That has helped me a lot.

[@isportsphotousa9065]

Don, I liked the video session, very informative.. 2 thumbs up!!

[@richardlee6886]

Awesome, I appreciate your content. Looks great!

[@barbaradvojatzki2852]

Great technique and rich in details tutorial!!

[@fitzy0008]

Wow!!! Looks amazing!

[@Packinheat1175]

Excellent video. Thanks from 🇨🇦.

[@blueshirtmonday]

This is so helpful! Thank you!!

[@outfitr9703]

Thanks. Great info. I'm also having trouble getting even look with neatsfoot and end up applying too much to even it out. I'll be trying olive oil next.

[@1800ls]

Thank You so much. Your video is very informative.

[@lexi8105]

Love it thank you!

[@herbertwedermanjr239]

Don, I gotta take the time to say what an excellent video you put together. You really know how to explain things completely without wasting any words or over explaining. I like how you also explain your evolution through experience to perfect your technique. Aa a newbie I have been frustrated with what various products to buy and people not really being able to explain why one is better than the other. I just liked and subscribed to your channel and look forward to learning more. Thanks :)

[@rafaelsanchez3882]

Awesome video, thank you!!

[@teeeff5179]

a superb tutorial! many thanks for this. 👍✌🖖

[@krismana91]

Thank you so much! I've experienced that paint smearing with super shene. :)

[@PaHoHaska]

VERY useful info .. Thank you !

[@mitchellreid8534]

Love your videos.

[@notwrkn2mch]

This video helped this newcomer more than you can imagine. Now i know why i was having such a hard time working with the antiquing. ......current subscriber

[@wesdresen9994]

great information again.

[@patticampbellhardy4059]

Excellent instructor! Great detail explanations! Not trying to become a "you-tube star" - just trying to explain the subject and does a superb job. Thanks for all the information.

[@ericeasom5788]

Thank you so much for this video. Now I see what I have been doing wrong with my antiquing.

[@eddaly4160]

Great video. Thanks!

[@jwk181965]

Great information. I now know the steps, that Ive been missing.

[@kevincohn5862]

Hey this is Kevin from Pittsburgh and I enjoyed y I ur video and your straight forward this on your videos. I'm in my 70s now and had wish some of what you have been showing was out when I got started? Again thanks you and God bless....kpc.

[@MrRenoman2011]

Best Video that i have seen thanks so much

[@rondumontier1187]

This is a really nice video. I useually don,t antique anything. I make mostly holsters, law inforcement & archery equip. But I mite try antiquing and the olive oil, even thou my old german boss/teacher mite flip. I also use tan-coat. I use neat-lac inside holsters, it make the "draw" cleaner and constant. Even tho I,v been at this for many yrs and learned from true pros, I wont stop learning. I need to watch more of your very good vids.

[@stanhegeman8751]

Great info, Don. Thank you. I've done leathercraft starting with shoe repair for over 40 years. This is the first video that has validated my use of plant-based oils to feed leather. My mentor in shoe repair (Ron Brower) used to take extremely dirty saddles to the self-serve car wash and clean them, being careful, of course not to cut the leather with the sprayer, let them sit for 2 days and then condition them before proceeding. Who taught you tooling, if I may ask? It's beautiful, and sooooo natural. Thanks again.

[@godofm3tal1]

If you're in Wyoming id love to come pick your brain. I'm getting into leather working and would relish the opportunity to learn anything I could from a master. That work is incredible.

[@fordfan3179]

Great info, thanks!

[@TheMNBlackBear]

Nice! My work is pretty now! Thank you!

[@Helmie-pl8ir]

Thanks Don sharing.👍👍👍

[@nameyourchannel8262]

Thanks, Don.

[@hernandezknives]

I’ve been antiquing the wrong way. Thanks for the good information

[@irislarocque3932]

gorgeous

[@tinoyb9294]

Bravo!!!

[@flatdog-]

Thank you

[@matthewhensley6680]

When you apply the last step I said oh no the stitches it’s ruined but it actually turned out better than I thought great work

[@iannicholson1014]

Thanks for a great tutorial. When I was plaiting or braiding kangaroo lace I put eucalyptus oil in my grease. This stopped cockroaches and vermin eating the leather. It could be mixed with the olive oil.

[@enriqueorlandotorressandov915]

GENIO...........!!!!!!!!

[@johnbacon9658]

Old sheepskin coats from charity shops, cheap as chips 👍🏻 awesome video.... Again, thanks fella, it’s really helped.

[@raywelk9429]

Thanks for the video! I'm 63 years old and just getting started in leather with some good results. Just finished the antique finish done in this video, turned out great. You are a excellent teacher! How do you protect the back on projects where you don't want any stain? Was wondering about using painters tape? Will that leave any kind of unwanted residue? Again, thank you for your teaching!

[@HikeColorado]

Don is so awesome to happily share his vast knowledge and love for this craft. What a wonderful gift for all of us to enjoy and learn. I’ve been tooling leather for 40 years and always learn something new 👍

[@rJadyw]

Hello Cliff. I am very new to leather craft and just beginning my tooling. I am making a wallet for my grandson with some tooling only on the front. Do I use this entire process on the entire wallet, or only on the tooled area?

[@shaunrish9516]

nice job