Does oil or needsfoot oil darken light leather?

[RubyFan]

I have an inexpensive light tan leather sheath. I was thinking if i used some oil ,i could darken it up some what. I love the rich distressed brown sheathes on high end knives. I was also thinking baby oil???? Thanks fellas.

 

[leatherman]

Neatsfoot will darken the leather, yes. Use sparingly, dont over soak the sheath, apply a light coat with a rag till its evenly covered. Too much and you'll have a floppy sheath. If you want a more even darkening, sit the sheath in the sun till its as dark as you want. Give it a sun tan.

Always look at the label on the bottle of Neatsfoot, make sure its Pure Neatsfoot Oil, not Neatsfoot compound. The compound has volatile petroleum based oils that will eventually ruin your leather. Dont ask me why its still out there, other than its much cheaper.

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Remember if you are tanning your sheath (just like your body) to turn often so the tan is even on both sides.

TF

 

[leatherman]

Sage advice my friend, sage advice.