Treating Leather

Gil Martin · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 7:40 am Post subject: Treating Leather

It is surprising how often I encounter shooters at the range who have leather slings and holsters that have never seen any neatsfoot oil or mink oil. Untreated leather does not hold up well to adverse weather or hard use. A local gun shop sells used leather slings and holsters at bargain prices. Many do not pass my careful inspection and remain in the shop. Just an observation and the idle thoughts of an idle fellow. All the best...
Gil

Bushmaster · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 11:36 am Post subject: Re: Treating Leather

Most leather should be neatsfoot oiled at least once a year. Like my saddles. But leather holsters and belts for concealed carry should not be oiled for any reason. All of my concealed holsters are occasionally wiped down with a water dampened cloth if they need cleaning. Other holsters, belts, boots and slings that will see weather get treated about once a year with neatsfoot oil.

Azar · Member Joined: Jan 04, 2010 Posts: 275 Location: Utah

Quote::

But leather holsters and belts for concealed carry should not be oiled for any reason.

Why is that?

Bushmaster · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 12:31 pm Post subject: Re: Treating Leather

Leather oiled becomes soft. Holsters and belts used for concealed carry must retain their shape for weapon retention. If you oil the belt and holster it will (may) loose it's shape. Most concealed holsters are contoured to the weapon that they will contain. Oiled belts will become softened and will cause sagging under the weight of the holster and weapon.

Most concealed belts and holsters have been treated weather proofing such as a type of lacquer to resist weather and body sweat.

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Interesting. I always treat my boots as they wear.... but I've never treated my leather belt I wear daily. Its always remained soft. Oiled leather also "bleeds" onto other clothing causing a stained mess at times.

-DallanC

gelandangan · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 2:57 pm Post subject: Re: Treating Leather

Good to know - so far I have only oiled my leather slings with some olive oil.

Vince · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 6:06 pm Post subject: Re: Treating Leather

I have some leather dressing, similar to Dubbin, designed for leather Army boots, and I hit my slings etc with that on a regular basis (a couple of times a year). I’ve considered buying some neatsfoot oil, but in all honesty, I’ve never seen a need for it as I “seal” my slings after I stain them when I make them.

Same with my shotgun ammo bag that I use when shooting clays...a good rub with leather dressing every couple of months and it stays like new.

dhc4ever · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 10:36 pm Post subject: Re: Treating Leather

Vince,
That boot dressing is now unicorn wee.
Kiwi stopped making it 20 years ago.
Which is a bugger as it really used to keep water out of the ole gp's

Vince · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 4:18 am Post subject: Re: Treating Leather

dhc4ever wrote:

Vince,
That boot dressing is now unicorn wee.
Kiwi stopped making it 20 years ago.
Which is a bugger as it really used to keep water out of the ole gp's

I have small quantities of a couple of different ones mate. One of the better ones is the Waproo (I think) brand that the RAAF stopped us carrying on the C130 because it was flammable, another one came in a tin the same as the Dubbin tin and the last type is the white stuff that came in a small KIWI tin.

If I run out and need to buy more I'll head for the nearest saddle supplies shop.

inthedark · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 3:01 pm Post subject: Re: Treating Leather

I use Kiwi Neutral polish for my knife scabbords and my holsters. It penetrates but does not soften the leather. I agree with bushy that neatsfoot oil is good for saddles, tack and wellies(wellington boots) but not for a CC holster.
IMHO

English Mike · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 5:52 pm Post subject: Re: Treating Leather

Vince wrote:

dhc4ever wrote:

Vince,
That boot dressing is now unicorn wee.
Kiwi stopped making it 20 years ago.
Which is a bugger as it really used to keep water out of the ole gp's

I have small quantities of a couple of different ones mate. One of the better ones is the Waproo (I think) brand that the RAAF stopped us carrying on the C130 because it was flammable, another one came in a tin the same as the Dubbin tin and the last type is the white stuff that came in a small KIWI tin.

If I run out and need to buy more I'll head for the nearest saddle supplies shop.

I have some stuff called Leder Gris which comes from UK boot makers Altberg that waterproofs my boots & keeps belts in good nick.
Rub it in well with a piece of cloth, then buff off any excess with a brush a couple of hours later.

Suzanne · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2018 10:23 am Post subject: Re: Treating Leather

Spot-on Bushy, I ruined a pair of hiking boots by putting on some mink oil. They had a nice shaped toe area (not steel toed) and they collapsed after application of mink oil. It was put on for a water repellent and really soaked in next to the wood stove. Now they're like wearing tennis shoes, no stiffness at all. I found a stuff called Sno-seal and it works pretty good to keep out water and is more of a wax than an oil. I think oil tends to soften because it breaks down the fibers in the leather, although I have some boots from my high school years that were always mink oiled and they're still wearable but they have steel toes too.

I guess you should treat the leather as needed for whatever the problem is. Anymore, in this throw-away world, there just isn't much market out there and so not many products to choose from. Throw it away and get another one. So I'd say for water protection a wax or laquer and to soften up ole stiff leather use some oil.

an I'm sticken
to it
Suz

SingleShotLover · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2018 12:23 pm Post subject: Re: Treating Leather

My holsters get cleaned with sparing applications of saddle soap followed by buffing with a terry cloth rag. This keeps the leather clean and also tends to prevent drying and cracking. I haven't noticed any sign of them losing their shape.

Vince · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2018 6:30 pm Post subject: Re: Treating Leather

When I bought my last pair of walking/hiking boots, Hi-Tec Midland, I bought a pair that are “waterproof” and two years later no water gets through them.

When my daughter toured Europe (in their winter) just before Christmas she purchased a pair of suede walking boots and asked me to “waterproof” them for her. I used a proprietary spray that contains, amongst other things, silicone. The good thing about these type of sprays is they put a waterproof barrier on the boot without changing the characteristics and integrity of the leather. My daughter wore these boots in rain and snow without any problems or wet feet. Best part about the spray is you can reapply as necessary.

I believe that you need to pick the dressing carefully according to the product you want to use it on, its use and what you are trying to achieve, eg. for boots I think a spray application is better than a “softening oil”.

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

I've had good luck with this stuff on my boots:

-DallanC