best leather treatment?

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susieqz

susieqz

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hiya, guys. i just got a tanker rig from pacific canvas and leather.
i'm impressed with the quality of the leather n the good looks of the rig.this is a sunday go to meeting rig to show off.
this rig should last for years with good treatment.
i was wondering if they've come up with anything better than the neatsfoot oil i grew up with?
i want the leather protected n supple. the holster won't be subjected to real abuse, like boots, but i want it to stay nice.
i'll be wearing it lots so supple is good.
if possible, i'd like something that wouldn't change the color much. this rig is a pretty tan right now n i'd like it to stay like that, if it's possible, but protection comes first.
the outside is smooth but i was gonna treat the rough interior too.
since you guys already helped me find the kind of holster i need, i thot you might help me with this.
thanks for that, by the way.

the tanker style is exactly what i needed. it holds the 22/45 snugly n holds it close to my body where it doesn't flop around when i'm doing chores, like regular shoulder holsters do. it's fast to put on n i can forget it's on. the chest strap makes all the difference.
 
i'vebeen researching n it wassaid that neatfoot n some other oils soften leather too much for a holster. is there any truth to that?
 
...neatfoot n some other oils soften leather too much for a holster.
Click to expand...
That's what most of the on-line holster retailers say. Most say to use Kiwi neutral shoe polish. However, we have a few holster makers on the forum who have said differently.
 
thanks. i'm finding lots of contradictory info. plus there are a zillion things advertised as the best for leather.
 
Skidmore's Leather Creme.

There are various grades of neatsfoot oil. The pure stuff is the best; those with petroleum additives or any product with petroleum in it will darken the leather. Either one will tend to soften the leather which is not something I want to do to my leather holsters. The recommendation for neutral color Kiwi is good.

Anything else including Skidmores is likely to change the color of the leather if only slightly. Try whatever you decide to use on an inconspicuous place to determine if the color change is excessive.
 
it's starting to look like everyone has their personal fav.
if the holster itself shouldn't be too softened, does that mean i need one thing for the holster n something else for all thestraps?

right now, this thing is very creaky. it's the noisiest holster around. driving me crazy.
 
I've used neetsfoot oil, I dont like how much darker it makes leather nor care for how much it softens it.

I've been using sno-seal, which is a beeswax based product from what I've been told. A friend that was in shoe and boot repair in the past said that shoes and boots that used it seemed to last longer and didnt have as much problem with seam stitching rotting out as with other things like mink oil and other common treatments. I've used it on boots for many years now, and on gunleather. I also used Skidmores. Just used some today on a holster and belt actually.

Treating your leather holster may help with the creaking, I wouldnt guarantee it though. I'd use the same product for the holster body as the straps. The straps will become somewhat more supple with any product used on it, and with use should feel better. It may take a while. Like good quality boots, they take time to break in and get comfortable.

Glad the holster fits your gun without messing with it.
 
thanks.
i don't mind a break in.i just want this holster to last. it's not western, but it's great looking with good leather. got a big US stamped on the holster.
lots of weird straps. some fasten with raw hide thongs.
the guys at pacific know nothing about marketing. the pic on there site doesn't show how great this looks.
good stitching too.
i wasn't sure if my theories would work in real life, but they do.
 
Generally, you want something different from boots and holsters. You want your boots to be flexible so they are comfortable. You want your holster to be stiff to maintain retention. I would not put anything on my holster that would soften it.
 
Like most modern makers I recommend a coat of a good wax.
You can use neutral shoe polish wax, Johnson's Paste Wax in the big yellow cans, or if you want the best and can afford it Renaissance Museum Wax.
Wax will protect and make the leather water resistant without darkening or softening it.

If you want the straps to stay flexible but not darken, I recommend Lexol leather conditioner.
It makes the leather flexible but won't darken it, or ooze back out on your clothes like oils will.
It's a cream-white liquid. SHAKE THE BOTTLE WELL to make sure it's completely mixed.
Apply a coat to the straps and allow it to soak in.
Wipe down with a cloth and let dry overnight.

Neatsfoot oil is best for softening boots and saddles.
If you want to use an oil, olive oil has been used for thousands of years on leather and doesn't darken it as bad as neatsfoot oil.
 
how do i protect the holster without softening it?
when you say soft, does that mean weak? there are shoulder straps n chest straps. i need them strong but would like them soft.
this is a lot more complicated than i thot when i started this thread,
 
thanks, wheel. the idea of wax really appeals to me for the holster. if i make the leather flexable, will it still be strong?
 
I like this one after having used just about everything on the market:

http://www.obenaufs.com/

But for holsters still in good shape,that have been hand boned,I just lightly clean them with good ol' saddle soap. Many leather treatments can soften the leather,especially if applied too heavily(soaking).
 
thanks rod. it looks like no 2 people agree on the best.
that's pretty interesting.
makes it hard to pick one. there are a zillion products with some people liking each one.
 
Very little beats regular Kiwi shoe polish for protecting leather. Has waxes that will protect and water proof leather. Not for the inside though. Applied as per the directions on the can.
You do not want the leather of a holster to be flexible.
Johnson's Paste Wax is for wood, not leather.
 
i have some kiwi around. i don't understand why wax on the inside of a holster isn't a good idea.
it sounds like a very good idea to me.
 
Johnson's Paste Wax is for wood, not leather.

Strange, the can specifically says it's good for leather and I've been using it and recommending it to customers for over 30 years.

susieqz

If the inside of the holster is smooth leather or has been given a smooth finish, wax can be good inside.
If the leather is rough you can't wipe it off and it may get on the gun in areas you don't want it.

A product like Lexol will keep leather flexible but not soften it.
If a produce softens leather straps they tend to stretch.

Don't over think this.
Apply wax to the outside of the holster and something like Lexol to the straps that says it won't soften the leather.
Read the label.
 
the inside of the holster is not as rough as the inside of the straps,
not sure how smooth it has to be to use wax. it's like half way between the glossy outside n the rough inside of the straps

can i just sand it smooth?
i'm asking because wax just sounds right to me. i don't know why.
i have no knowledge to base this on.
 
The only problem with oil is that people overdo it. They tend to soak the leather like they did with their baseball glove as a child. That's bad news, as the cells absorb more oil than they can hold and burst. That's what softens leather and the damage is irreparable. If oil was a bad idea, John Bianchi wouldn't immerse his rigs in warm neatsfoot oil before doing the final finish work. I treat all my leather with extra virgin olive oil and I haven't shipped a floppy holster yet. The key is to do it very lightly.

Wax or shoe polish is fine as a protectant but keep in mind that that's all it is. The leather will still need its moisture replenished every year or so with a light application of oil or conditioner.
 
i put on the lightest coat possible of olive oil. didn't do the inside of the holster. left it overnight. the oil got soaked in. it's not oily or greasy.
extra virgin olive oil is much nicer than neatsfoot.

the oil didn't change the color n now the straps are supple n comfy.
i can't believe how much difference such a small amount of oil made.
 
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