Tasken_Lander Posted December 30, 2014 Share #1 Posted December 30, 2014 Hi, I'm trying to soften, make limp, a leather strap on one of my leather holsters and was wondering what would be the best product or technique for achieving this? I'm not worried about accidentally ruining or damaging item as I need/want it to look weathered. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardstripe Posted December 30, 2014 Share #2 Posted December 30, 2014 Neats foot oil. It is used to soften baseball gloves and will soften any leather. Pour some in a small shallow container and work it into the leather with your fingers. let the oil soak in and reapply. Keep doing this until the leather is as pliable as you desire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suwanneetrader Posted December 30, 2014 Share #3 Posted December 30, 2014 It will turn it dark which "some" collectors object to. It was used by leather workers 100 or more years ago. Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodymyster Posted December 30, 2014 Share #4 Posted December 30, 2014 I would like to point out that neats foot oil is being sold with a synthetic blend along with the original blend containing cow bone. I have always prefered the original stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted December 30, 2014 Share #5 Posted December 30, 2014 Keep in mind that softening old leather is not preservation or conservation, it's just conditioning and comes at a price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1SG_1st_Cav Posted December 31, 2014 Share #6 Posted December 31, 2014 I use KIWI brand Leather Lotion, or Saddle Soap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tasken_Lander Posted December 31, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted December 31, 2014 Thanks for the suggestions. This is for a costume I am working on, BTW -- so no value loss by me doing this to the holster in question. I have some Kiwi brand Mink oil and Galco brand liquid leather conditioner at home. Would that work? Or should I just seek out some Neats Foot oil or Saddle soap and if so -- where, besides amazon, could one find some? Thanks again, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tasken_Lander Posted December 31, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted December 31, 2014 Also -- Anything that works to quickly dull/lightly coroid chrome button snaps?? Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costa Posted December 31, 2014 Share #9 Posted December 31, 2014 A WORD OF CAUTION--- SOME PRODUCTS MAY DESTROY LEATHER AND MAY HAVE AN ADVERSE AFFECT. THINK BEFORE YOU USE OR YOU MAY BE SORRY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gih Posted March 19, 2015 Share #10 Posted March 19, 2015 I HAVE USED PLAIN WATER TO SOAK INTO THE LEATHER. THE MORE WATER, THE MORE PLIABLE IT WILL BECOME. I HAVE NEVER HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE USEING THIS METHOD WITH VIABLE LEATHER, AND WILL NOT LEAVE ANY RESIDUAL DAMAGE TO THE LEATHER PRODUCT. THIS IS THE SAME PRINCIPAL AS A POLICE OFFICERS LEATHER GEAR BEING WORN IN A RAINFALL. ONE POINT TO CONSIDER, AS YOU WATER IT FROM TIME/DAY TO DAY, LAY YOUR WET HOLSTER IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT, WHICH WILL HELP SHAPE THE LEATHER TO THE GUN YOU PUT IN IT. HOPE THIS HELPS, GIH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted March 19, 2015 Share #11 Posted March 19, 2015 You can use Lexol or Liquid glycerin saddle soap. I havent seen the synthetic neets foot oil but the older stuff I recall is petroleum based and eventually will deteriorate the cotton based threads used in sewing.I have seen dozens ofv old saddles and rifle scabbard with split seamsvthat had been slathered and drenched in neets foot oil. Years ago it was the accepted practice to "treat" leather liners in german helmets with Vaseline And also on German gear.I have owned several helmets out of collections and you can tell Vaseline was used.you can always tell this as the leather is now stiff and rigid and fairly dark with a waxy appearance to the leather. also with the Vaseline being a petroleum product you can also see a lot of times where the leather where someone is starting to separate because of the threads have become damaged and pulled loose when the letter dried out and shrunk. on the other hand if you are not too concerned about the threads or they are new and synthetic as a reproduction holster and you are darking it one way to make it very dark and very pliable is take used motor oil on it in just slather it all over it give it a big ol oil bath Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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