Leather Care..??

M

musical

Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
14
Just wondering if you guys can recommend any good treatments for leather sheaths/thongs to preserve and restore them?

Some of the knives I've been getting through e-bay, I've noticed the leather seems to be dried out (maybe from sitting on shelves or in boxes for a few years) and hopefully this is reversible with the right care, so they wont crack from some regular use.

So far I've used a product named Joseph Lyddy Leatha Phane (saddle oil) on a couple, it's meant to replace tannins and preservatives used in the tanning process.

Maybe just regular treatment for a while with liberal amounts of Neatsfoot oil is all thats needed?

Any ideas on this will be greatly appreciated.
 
Neatsfoot oil is probably one of the very best, but don't use "liberal" or very frequent treatments. Use only a light to moderate coat initially and then a very light application every six months to one year depending on the amount of use and exposure. The common mistake is to think more is better. Leather thongs or lace tend to deteriorate more rapidly and are much harder to salvage. They may just need to be replaced which is no big deal.

Paul
 
That's easy for you to say Paul...you probably know someone close to you that does great leatherwork. Someone like..... "El Rey del Cuero."




:D

The L Lobo
 
I followed Paul's regiment and have restored a bunch of sheaths that have come back from the dead. Saddlesoap and then neatsfoot to restore are what I have been using. Keep the neatsfoot away from dogs, as its made from bones and they REALLY like it.
Paul maybe you could write up the steps and add the finish compound to bring out the shine.
TTYL
Larry
 
Stupid question, Larry...

Where are finding Neatsfoot oil in NH? I am having no luck.

Glenn
 
I had the same ? and got mine from Tandy. Make sure its the real neatsfoot oil. There are some products containing neetsfoot that Paul told me "just dont cut it".
TTYL
Larry
 
OK, thanks for the tip.

They must have a shortage here...Sadly, there are thousands of neats in NH with no feet...:D

Glenn
 
Don Luis got his at the "horseshoe" store, and that also happens to be the name of a pretty darn good Tequila. Now........

Using Saddle soap (solid, in the round can), water and a brush give the item a thorugh cleaning. You can get it plenty wet and it won't matter. Don't leave any dirt or residue on the surface of the leather. Let it dry completely...then a couple of moderate to light coats of PURE Neatsfoot oil NOT Neatsfoot compound. A darker more even color will return after the oil "levels out in the fibers. This should take a couple of hours if you didn't go hog wild applying the oil (longer if you did). then you can and should apply a couple of light coats of Fiebing's TanKote and when that's dry follow up with Tandy NeatLac. Now you have cleaned , restored, preserved, protected and sealed the leather and depending on use this should last from a year to forever. All products mentioned can be had from Leather Factory/Tandy or Weaver Leather. All have web sites and all ship a-la-catlog. The smallest container available should do unless you have a bunch of leather needing attention. I personally buy multi Gallons when I do purchase, but that's another story. Later

Paul
 
Thanks people for the info, it's great..

Theres a saddlery a few miles down the road so I'll go see whats in store this w/end.

Cheers for that!
 
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