Bag Kote, Tan Kote, Same Thing?

[JD Alan]

Tweet

Simple question (Hopefully!) Chuck B recommends Bag Kote on his holster DVD, Tandy sells Tan Kote. Are they essentially the same thing?

Thanks, JD

[JD Alan]

This must be a better question than I thought. 23 people have viewed the thread, but no answer yet.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

It's hard to stump this bunch. Sounds like you may have done so. Or maybe the ones who know haven't looked in yet. I don't have a clue since I don't use either product.

[Dalton Masterson]

JD, I dont know either, and was also looking for Bag Kote after watching the video. I ended up using Tankote, and it seems alright. It leaves a nice finish, and isnt overly shiny. Not flat, but not super glossy.
I am curious as to the official answer when you get it.
DM

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

JD we can't get Bag kote here in California , but you can order it from Hide Crafters, if your State allows it sale, I've talk to CB on this subject, and the deal is I think bag kote would be my choice if I could get it, you can mix it with water and it will work very well , this is what CB does, mixing water with Tan-Kote, doesn't work very well, I like the fact that you can use it in a spray bottle as CB does and having it diluted in a 60/40 solution, as far as the way it looks, not having any I can't comment on that , but looking at what results CB gets I'd say it's more of a soft or satin look as compared to Tan -Kote, I use Tan-Kote , and it has its uses, but it is more of a glossy finish and is fine for certain things, but I like the more natural looking finishes, and think that the Bag Kote would give me that.


                                                   tEN wOLVES 

[outrider]

I will attempt this...Bag kote is a resin based finish which I believe is water soluable.  It has a semi gloss finish.  I have used it a few times but prefer Tan Kote.  Tan Kote gives a very nice even semi gloss finish, which can then be waxed with atom balm or neutral shoe poish to get the desired gloss .  By the way both are Fiebing finishes and if you go to their site it is explained better.

[ChuckBurrows]

Bag Kote can be tough to find - the last time I ordered some I got it from Siegels of California, but next time will most likely order direct from Fiebings since I also want to order their Harness Dressing which I like best of all and it's REAL hard to find.

Other possibilites are Mid-Continent Leather in Coweta, Oklahoma, Oregon Leather in Portland, Oregon, and Montana Leather in Montana (alll have on-line sites).

As to the difference? an old timer once told me Bag Kote is nothing but thinned down Bag Kote.....take it FWIW, but I thinned some Tan Kote both with water and rubbing alcohol (7 parts TK and 3 parts thinner) and it does seem to be the same or at least similar - the alcohol also seemed to work better - I used the water because Bag Kote says it can be thinned down with it, but since TK is pitch based I figured alcohol might work better......as always experiment on scrap (PLEASE do what I recommend and not what I do........     )

[JD Alan]

The trouble with an experienced guy like Chuck putting out an instructional DVD is, you take everything as Gospel! By gosh,if Chuck says Bag Kote, then Bag Kote it is! Now all I need is another "Super Pro" like WC to say he likes Tan Kote better than Bag Kote, and I will be high sided!

Seriously, I appreciate the info. Oregon Leather is closer than Tandy for me, so I can check that out.

Will, I'm wondering what you use, if anything, in place of what Chuck is doing. He's dyeing, then applying Gun Trag, then Bag Kote. That's on the inside of the unlined holster.

I know there's more than one way to skin a ca, nevermind, cow, so I'd like to hear what you do as well. The Bible says there is wisdom in many counselors.

Thanks, JD       

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I use EVOO followed by Lexol. I've been meaning to try some gum trag, but I've had good luck with what I'm doing.

[ChuckBurrows]

In my experience there is NO single right way to do most anything - I do whatever it takes to get where I want and I've always taught:
1) First you learn the rules
2) Second you learn to break the rules
3) Third you learn what rules you can break.........

[JD Alan]

First, thanks to everyone taking time to weigh in here.

Second, Will, what specific Lexol product do you use? Tandy carries several different kinds.

Third, Chuck, thanks just because you've been a big help via your DVD

God bless you all, JD

[knucklehead]

JD,

thanks for asking all these questions.
I watched Chucks videos and planning on watching the knife sheath again cause i have a knife that is screaming for a new sheath.

I never wouldave thought to ask all the questions that you have asked.
After reading everything you post and reading all the different answers i have learned a few new things myself.

thanks again for asking all the questions you have asked.
and thanks to all for answering JD's questions.

[JD Alan]

Ill tell you what, Kuncklehead, these guys, and you as well, have been a real help to me. Leatherworking, Leathercraft, call it what you will, is completely foreign to me. There is just so much to learn, and so many ways to do something it's downright confusing at times.
 
And man what a difference between reading about it and actually doing it. I've been practicing with meander stamps, one from Barry King, and one Craftool. It sounds good on paper, but getting it straight time after time is a real challenge.

That's just one of many examples. Stitching contniues to be a real challenge. I know the answer is practice practice practice, but knowing the correct way to do something helps to keep you from wasting your time.

So, thanks to one and all yet again! JD

 

[Marshal Will Wingam]

JD, I use the Lexol conditioner, not the cleaner.

[cowboywc]

Howdy
As someone else said "There are many different ways to do something" the only wrong way is the one that
doesn't work.
For any of my work that I want a matte finish on I use Skidmores Leather Cream. I use Neat-Lac for a gloss finish.
WC

[JD Alan]

As a follow up, I found Bag Kote at Oregon Leather, so I've got both products to compare one another with. Hopefully I can do some testing this week, and see what's what.

Thanks to all who weighed in, JD

[mike highgate]

Cowboywc - you use NeatLac. It goes on pretty thick. Can it be thinned and, if so, what with?

[cowboywc]

Don't worry about the Neat-Lac, it's been discontinued.
I bought all the spray I could find around the country when I got the word.
WC

[mike highgate]

Thanks for the input. I've got a pint can of NeatLac left. I guess I'll try thinning it with isopropyl alcohol.

[santee]

I got bag-kote to finish a holster and it worked great. Kept the dye from bleeding onto my clothes.

[DUKE DEADEYE NUKEM]

 I can't find it either.

[Cliff Fendley]

Weaver carries Bag Kote, I love the stuff and use it for my top finish on nearly everything.

[Boothill Bob]

Howdy.
I mix Tan-Kote with water and it works great 

[Trailrider]

I got bag-kote to finish a holster and it worked great. Kept the dye from bleeding onto my clothes.

I use Bag Kote on any of my leather that I dye with black, USMC Black, or my own "Faded Arsenal" (50/50 Fiebings Black...NOT USMC Black...and Tan).  Keeps the black from rubbing off all over everything.  Tandy/Leather Factory only sell Tan Kote, and I don't use it, having settled on Bag Kote years ago.  Because of this I order Bag Kote directly from Fiebings, by the gallon.  As it is water-soluble (or at least not water repellant), there is NO hasmat fee involved in shipping.  I don't dilute the stuff.  Just pour some on a soft rag (old T-shirt, white socks with holes in them, etc), and wipe it on, evening it out and removing any excess.  If there is any bleeding after it dries, I repeat the application.