Log In
Members
Home
Add Reply
Add Topic
Offline
We all know that leather is one thing to us and totally another to other lifeforms. To a lot of animals and plants leather is food, as edible as the steaks it once surrounded are to us.
So how do we keep these critters from getting to our 100 year old scabbards, holsters and belts?
It seems that every preservative eventually has a down side shown. Some of them assist oxidation others cause other problems.
Any opinions on how best to keep our things safe?
One thing I have learned is do not put it in a enclosed area like a gun safe. Also some old time leather was cured with urine which has other issues especially when used as a holster.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
It really depends on the condition and possibly the color of the leather. For good condition leather I use Lexol Conditioner Preservative–using this has less likelihood of darkening lighter colored leathers. On really worn weather or leather that gets used a lot I use Fiebing Prime Neatsfoot Oil–this will darken leather but will bring back the suppleness, after that application I would use the Lexol to maintain. You may also try some of the saddle soaps out there. There are folks I know who use olive oil on their saddles as well. You might also try Tandy Leather for additional products that may help. With any leather, it needs to stay in a climate and humidity controlled environment, and away from critters. With high humidity it has the potential to mold. Or if in a dry climate, it will dry out and crack. Once it gets extremely dried out and begins to rot, there isnt much else you can do bring it back that Ive found, just keep it oiled to maintain its current condition.
There may be other products out there but these are the ones I primarily use. Be sure to test any oil or conditioner in a small area to see how the leather reacts before jumping in with both feet.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
1892takedown said
On really worn weather or leather that gets used a lot I use Fiebing Prime Neatsfoot Oil–this will darken leather but will bring back the suppleness, after that application I would use the Lexol to maintain.
Problem with neatsfoot is that it chemically decomposes over time, turns rancid, & becomes acidic. Maybe not in your lifetime, but eventually. Petroleum jelly (Vaseline) is VERY stable chemically, undergoes no breakdown like animal fat products.
Didnt know that about neatsfoot oil for the long term. Hadnt even thought about petroleum jelly. How does it do in terms of darkening lighter colored leathers? That stuff seems to stay fairly stable over a lot of years sitting on the shelf.
Thanks for the info Clarence.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
1892takedown said
How does it do in terms of darkening lighter colored leathers?
That I don’t know–it might. But it has a shelf life of just about infinity.
This is the best leather treatment I’ve found.
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
The problem with treatments, especially with older vintage and/or antique leather is that in a lot of cases there are problems already and what treatment(s) have been used in the past are hard to figure out.
One of the biggest problems that I’ve seen are from the leather and chemicals associated with tanning and preserving as they interact with brass or other metals causing verdigris. That stuff is a killer.
I don’t know what problems are associated with oxidation but I assume many are. Treatments that are designed to shield leather (and other materials) from oxygen might just cause as much problem as the O2 itself.
I’ve entertained using vacu-seal packaging for some things that size allows but I’ll admit that I have no idea whether that would help or worsen the problem.
I agree with jban, verdigris is a killer. Old leather is hard to store, no simple solution. When I see a problem I sell it, nobody else seems to care they just smooze it up. Leather is not permanent like steel and wood, not a long term investment. Do not buy leather that smells bad or has the green verdigris around the rivets, no long term value. T/R
1 Guest(s)
