How do you care for your leather?

[Macchina]

I am absolutely fascinated by leather. I love the smell of a something made of leather, both brand new and very used. I love the feel of a well used leather object. You can't go wrong with the durability, cut resistance, look, and longevity of leather. My Vasque Sundowners and I have had a long relationship on many trails. I have a sheath to a very old Buck 112 that my Grandpa gave me that refuses to give in (even though I put 3-in-1 on it when I was a whiper-snapper and thought that leather treatment was one of the 3 uses of 3-in-1). I have countless sheaths and holsters in different states of wear and disuse. Belts and boots, wallets and cases. Leather is everywhere because I seek it out when it is an option.

To care for all of this leather I simply use Sno Seal bees wax treatment. I barely heat the leather in an open oven (just enough to liquefy the wax), then I apply a little wax, return it to the oven for a moment, then wipe off all of the excess. I have found that Sno Seal not only does a fantastic job of waterproofing, it also conditions the leather for about a year without softening or degrading it at all. On all of my boots I apply once a year. My Sundowners usually get 2 treatments if I have a big hike that year. Sheaths and holsters get one treatment when they are new. This helps guns to slide in and out a little easier, protects against sweat, and also helps prevents knives from rusting when stored in the sheath.

How do you care for your leather. Feel free to post a picture of a well used bit of leather.

 

[Iron City]

Sno seal certainly does seal out the elements, but I learned years ago from a Vietnam vet not to put put it on my work boots since it keeps moisture/sweat in as well and can cause problems with your feet.

Saddleback Leather recommends Lexol prodcuts for their goods and I have used with pretty good success.

 

[Macchina]

I put it on my Wolverine work boots and wear them for 10 hour shifts. I first started putting it on my work boots when I would soak my feet in the winter then have cold feet all day. I have noticed a bit of sweat though, maybe I should keep it off my next pair.

 

[Bushman5]

OBENAUFS LP!!!!!

nuff said.

 

[Absintheur]

I use the same high grade shoe polish on holsters and sheaths as I do on my shoes. Last thing I want to do is soften the leather, doing that lowers it ability to retain whatever it is holding...especially handguns. All I want to do is keep the leather from cracking and the waxes in shoe polish keep them looking nice and does provide moisture protection.

 

[stockman242]

I use SnoSeal on all of my leather goods. I know its not the best, but it works well for just about everything. :thumbup:
I know, that the leather, once I treat it with snoseal, doesnt let the sweat out as good, but I do want waterproof boots dont I .

Peter

 

[Saunterer]

I have a pair of 13 year old Sundowners that have been all over Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, NC, and NJ. I think they have more miles on them, than my Jeeps tires.

Every spring or so, I clean them with Lexol and then give them a good rubbing with Hubbard's Shoe Grease. I generally warm my boots up with a hair dryer, and then message the shoe grease in and let them sit. I haven't found anything better.

 

[Bob W]

The bug guts keep my leather jacket nice and supple.

 

[orthogonal1]

I prefer Heine Gerricke and Cadallac leather conditioner for jackets and gloves. I have used Oakwood leather conditioner for jackets, gloves, belts, and "western" boots. I use Lexol occassionally for a quick wipe down of any leather.

For work boots, I use Red Wing leather conditioner.

 

[Mongo]

OBENAUF'S HEAVY DUTY LP

Best stuff out there.

 

[Guyon]

SnoSeal and Nikwax are my go-to sealants.

 

[Bushman5]

I use the same high grade shoe polish on holsters and sheaths as I do on my shoes. Last thing I want to do is soften the leather, doing that lowers it ability to retain whatever it is holding...especially handguns. All I want to do is keep the leather from cracking and the waxes in shoe polish keep them looking nice and does provide moisture protection.

if you want to preserve your leather for years and years AND keep the shape: mix 90% pure beeswax and 10% Obenaufs LP in a double boiler pan, and soak the leather item. Remove when saturated and "fling" off the excess wax. Wipe down with a rag and let it cool. I have a very nice Don Hum rigid leather slipjoint holster that still looks new, and keeps it rigid shape, its probably about 10 years plus old.

 

[Iron City]

Just clarifying what I said above... SnoSeal works great to weatherproof leather, but on my workboots that I used in a warehouse I did not need to them to be waterproof, so to conditon I used Lexol and it still allowed the leather to breath.