Restoring Old Dried Leather

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Sep 25, 1999
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I do a fair amount of repair/restoration work on knives and knife related items as a hobby (less so now days, since my son was born).

It is rare, but on occasion I get leather sheaths that are very old and are dried out and stiff. An old Western knife and sheath came in the shop last week, and the leather is as stiff as wood, so much so that I fear any flexing will break it.

I would love to hear if anyone here has a favorite way to bring some life back into dried leather (make them a little softer again). From what I understand there is no way to get it as supple as it was, but any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

My approach has always been to wash the item with glycerin saddle soap, let it air dry for several days, warm it a little with a blow dryer or oven (~100 degrees max) and apply a little Neatsfoot oil , until it absorbs no more, then rub it down. I am not really pleased with this approach, so was wondering what you have found.

For newer working leather, I usually warm the leather and treat with a 1:1 mixture of beeswax and Neatsfoot oil.

Thanks,
Brome
 
I found the 1:1 ratio of beeswax and neatsfoot oil to be almost too waxy and stiff to use. I started using a mixture more like 1 part wax and 3 parts neatsfoot oil because it absorbs into the leather a bit better. I used the wife's hand mixer and whipped it into a nice buttery paste.:D
 
I`ve heard that if you treat the leather with vaseline the same way as if you are waxing it (hair dryer etc.), it will become softer. Never tried it thogh
 
As I mentioned in another thread similar to this one, for leather that is ready to break if you flex it... ordinary 'ArmorAll.' Soak the leather with the stuff and let if sit for a couple of days.

I don't use ArmorAll on new leather. I use Lexol, neatsfoot oil, bee's wax, etc. But for leather that is ready to crumble and break... ArmorAll. Try if for yourself and see.

Stitchawl
 
I`ve heard that if you treat the leather with vaseline the same way as if you are waxing it (hair dryer etc.), it will become softer. Never tried it thogh

Vaseline is petroleum based, which can damage leather, so I would advise against using it
 
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