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[savageknives]

i know boiled linseed oil does wonders for wood and has good effects on steel as well, but does it have any positive effects on leather??

 

[flashlife]

i know boiled linseed oil does wonders for wood and has good effects on steel as well, but does it have any positive effects on leather??

I made a single wrap tang handle of thin leather, to get a very thin knife, and used boiled linseed on it. Took FOREVER to dry. The oil drys by air oxidation, just like oil paint, but the leather is so absorbent that the oil that's soaked in never gets much air exposure. The leather I used was ~1/16" thick and took MONTHS to harden up. SOOOO...
My advice is don't do it...it will stay sticky a long time.

The standard leather treatment in the old days was Neat's Foot Oil. But use it sparingly.

 

[orca8589]

Growing up, everyone I knew used saddle soap on anything leather. Boiled linseed oil will make leather 'gummy' and 'tacky'.

thx - cpr

 

[rdg]

For weather proofing leather, I'd look at Snow Seal (product spelling may be a little different). Use a hair dryer to help get it absorbed into the leather. I used to do this with my hiking boots and it worked very well.
Bob