Leather Care?

[Sebastian the Ibis]

I recently came into possession of a very nice WWII bring-back pistol with a matching high gloss black leather holster. This pistol will forever be a safe queen. What is best way to maintain the leather? Shoe polish, or is there something better? I don't care about the leather softening for retention purposes - I'll never carry this gun. - Thanks.

 

[Ironicaintit]

I usually treat leather with Neatsfoot oil. Keeps it soft and supple.
For the gloss black part, kiwi boot polish should do it!

 

[Sunray]

Kiwi shoe polish will do it, but it doesn't have to be Kiwi. Any shoe polish will do. It has waxes in it that helps preserve and water proof leather. You still need to keep the thing dry though. The inside doesn't get polish.

 

[Sav .250]

Do a search on the subject............ Plenty of information out there...

 

[Mizar]

First you have to specify - is it a patent leather holster (it's lacquered leather actually), or just polished with wax to high shine? If it's the first then oil or leather conditioner will not do anything to it and shoe wax will give you just an ugly grimy surface. There are patent leather specific products for cleaning and conditioning:
Patent leather care: https://www.hangerproject.com/shoe-care-guide/how-to-clean-patent-leather/
https://www.google.bg/?gfe_rd=cr&ei...&gws_rd=ssl#q=caring+for+patent+leather+shoes
Regular leather care: http://www.theshoesnobblog.com/2011/06/polish-your-shoes-properly.html
http://www.theshoesnobblog.com/2011/06/polish-your-shoes-properly.html
Best,
Boris

 

[JTQ]

Recommendations are often all over the place. I tend to think of shoes and holsters having different goals. I want my shoes fairly flexible for comfort. Conversely, I want my holster fairly stiff for retention.

Here is Milt Sparks FAQ page with recommendations http://www.miltsparks.com/questions.php

High Noon's FAQ #15 http://www.highnoonholsters.com/faqs/

 

[Mizar]

...I tend to think of shoes and holsters having different goals...

You are right, but OP talks about old holster - it does require a little bit different, more thorough treatment. The second link I provided shows a detailed care for full-grain leather items that, in our case, are old and very possibly dried. Take a look at it - it's the same advise that everybody makes about old holster treatment, but with added a few extra steps to insure a good, clean and shiny appearance.To put it briefly - clean the leather surface, apply (sparingly!) leather conditioner, apply (again, sparingly) wax and buff for shine. Treating a new or just a few years old holster is one thing, but treatment of old and possibly dried holsters requires a few extra steps to be taken.
From the High Noon FAQ - "Never use anything like saddle soap or mink oil" - saddle soap is just what the title says, soap. It's intended use is only for cleaning the leather, not condition it. If you use it like the manufacturers suggest - applied with a wet sponge and then the residue removed entirely it will not harm it in any way, it will just clean the leather surface. Mink oil, or any other leather preservative and conditioner will soften leather if applied with a heavy hand - that's why one must put just a slight amount and work it all the way. Especially for old and dried leathers it's a necessary step to insure longevity of the item and to prevent cracking. Shoe wax cannot rejuvenate or protect leathers - it's intended purpose is just giving a shine.

Best,
Boris

 

[GonzoGeezer]

Strangely enough, I've heard from more than one horse person who maintains tack to try Murphys Oil Soap or Old English Furniture Polish. I used to use Ballistol like the German Army once did but recently worked on a Polish P-64 holster with a glycerin Saddle soap. Nice results.

 

[KCJ]

Don't use neatsfoot oil, it is organic and promotes mold and mildew! I use mineral oil, the kind used as a laxative, to oil leather to make it more pliable, and Murphy's Oil Soap for cleaning and general leather care. Don't buy the gel type sold in a jar, but the liquid type sold in the bottle. If it is patent leather, use a commercial product for that purpose.

 

[Sunray]

Shoes and holsters are leather. Cow leather to be specific. Same products to care for 'em.
Murphys Oil Soap is great stuff for cleaning wood.

 

[GonzoGeezer]

My thoughts, too, Sunray. Using wood care products for leather was a real head-scratcher. But I heard it from two old hands, horse people from way back.

I still had my doubts, so I went to saddle soap to clean and follow the advice of the imperial German army and use Ballistol for conditioning.

 

[Sunray]

Must be about its grease cleaning talents. Kind of like cleaning ducks with Dawn dish soap.

 

[Mizar]

Ballistol will definitely soften leather, but it will make it somewhat waterproof. With the same success you can use Ikea's cutting board oil, Johnson's baby oil or any other mineral oil...

 

[gillmeister692]

I recently came into possession of a very nice WWII bring-back pistol with a matching high gloss black leather holster. This pistol will forever be a safe queen. What is best way to maintain the leather? Shoe polish, or is there something better? I don't care about the leather softening for retention purposes - I'll never carry this gun. - Thanks.

Pecard Antique Leather Dressing, Pecard Chemical Co., Inc., 1836 Industrial Drive, Green Bay, WI 54302

 

[longknife12]

I've got leather that is 50+ years old that has never had any thing but saddle soap on it. For me, it has worked fine.
Dan

 

[herrwalther]

I use materials similar to shining black leather boots for cleaning my leather holsters.Except instead of using shoe polish I use mink oil. I use a horse or badger hair brush to wipe on saddle soap to remove skin oils. Wipe off with a linen cloth. Then I use a foam applicator to apply a coat of mink oil to soften and recondition the leather. I learned the hard way not to use KIWI mink oil because it contains a silicone waterproof agent. And I really hated the way it made my holster feel.

 

[CraigC]

Old leather and new leather are two different things. The FAQ's at the various maker sites are only concerned with keeping you from drenching their holster in oil and ruining it.

Shoe polish is just that, shoe polish. It does nothing to condition leather that may be old and dried out. Saddle soap also does nothing to condition leather and may dry it out even further over time. If neatsfoot oil was a problem, John Bianchi wouldn't be dipping his completed rigs in the stuff.

First clean it with saddle soap. Then apply a conditioner. Lexol or Skidmores works fine but I use extra virgin olive oil. Contrary to popular belief, oil does not soften leather unless it is overdone. Two or three light coats should be all that's needed.