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Gil Martin Super Member
Joined: Jan 28, 2005 Posts: 1837 Location: Schnecksville, PA
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 7:40 am Post subject: Treating Leather |
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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
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Bushmaster Super Member
Joined: Jun 12, 2005 Posts: 11393 Location: Ava, Missouri
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 11:36 am Post subject: Re: Treating Leather |
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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.
_________________ I have one nerve left and yer standin' on it...
DEMOCRACY Two wolves and one sheep voting on what to have for lunch...
LIBERTY A well armed sheep contesting the outcome of the vote... |
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Azar Member
Joined: Jan 04, 2010 Posts: 275 Location: Utah
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 12:01 pm Post subject: Re: Treating Leather |
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Quote:: |
But leather holsters and belts for concealed carry should not be oiled for any reason. |
Why is that?
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Bushmaster Super Member
Joined: Jun 12, 2005 Posts: 11393 Location: Ava, Missouri
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 12:31 pm Post subject: Re: Treating Leather |
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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.
_________________ I have one nerve left and yer standin' on it...
DEMOCRACY Two wolves and one sheep voting on what to have for lunch...
LIBERTY A well armed sheep contesting the outcome of the vote... |
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DallanC Site Admin
Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 2:13 pm Post subject: Re: Treating Leather |
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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
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gelandangan Super Member
Joined: May 07, 2006 Posts: 6398 Location: Sydney Australia
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 2:57 pm Post subject: Re: Treating Leather |
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Good to know - so far I have only oiled my leather slings with some olive oil.
_________________ A straight line is the shortest distance between two points.
A smile is the shortest distance between two people.
Do - Not try!
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Vince Site Admin
Joined: May 25, 2005 Posts: 15715 Location: Brisbane AUSTRALIA
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dhc4ever Super Member
Joined: May 26, 2011 Posts: 2944 Location: Ipswich, Queensland Australia
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 10:36 pm Post subject: Re: Treating Leather |
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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
_________________ Pete
Dont do anything you wont like explaining to the paramedics.............. |
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Vince Site Admin
Joined: May 25, 2005 Posts: 15715 Location: Brisbane AUSTRALIA
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Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 4:18 am Post subject: Re: Treating Leather |
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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.
_________________ Cheers, Vince
Illegitimi non carborundum
(Never let the bastards grind you down)
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
"Nulla Si Fa Senza Volonta."
(Without Commitment, Nothing Gets Done) |
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inthedark Super Member
Joined: Jan 31, 2011 Posts: 913 Location: Ontario
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Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 3:01 pm Post subject: Re: Treating Leather |
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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
_________________ Chimo
Ron
War is sweet to those who have no experience of it, but the experienced man trembles exceedingly at heart on its approach - Pindar 518-438 BC
Be Copy now of Men of Grosser Blood and TEACH THEM HOW TO WAR |
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English Mike Super Member
Joined: Jan 08, 2007 Posts: 1709 Location: Whitehaven, Cumbria, UK
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Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 5:52 pm Post subject: Re: Treating Leather |
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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.
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Suzanne Super Member
Joined: Jun 27, 2009 Posts: 3323 Location: Eugene, Oregon
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Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2018 10:23 am Post subject: Re: Treating Leather |
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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
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May the sun keep you dancing,
And the stars shed light on your dreams. |
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SingleShotLover Super Member
Joined: Dec 26, 2007 Posts: 1005 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2018 12:23 pm Post subject: Re: Treating Leather |
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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.
_________________ If you can't hit it with one, you probably can't with two either!
The biggest problem with a closed mind is that it never seems to come with a closed mouth.
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Vince Site Admin
Joined: May 25, 2005 Posts: 15715 Location: Brisbane AUSTRALIA
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DallanC Site Admin
Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah
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Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2018 9:45 pm Post subject: Re: Treating Leather |
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I've had good luck with this stuff on my boots:
-DallanC
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