Stacked leather handles

M

MaxCast

Joined
Jun 11, 2015
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What are you all doing for storage on factory stacked leather handles? Completed my set and noticed the dryness of new. Don't really want to change the color but I figure something has to go on them.
Was thinking a thin coating of mineral oil then a loose wrap of bubble wrap to keep it from leaching.

I may go a head and store these outside the Buck box then in another box like I do with older knives.

While we're on the subject of leather. Do you do anything with your sheathes of new knife purchases? Example: the new Americana to be used as a show piece vs. user. do you to anything with the leather?
 
Probably a light coat of bees wax/ Sno-seal would work to keep it in good condition for a year or more. DM
 
I think anything you apply is going to darken.
 
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I'm not much for long explanations but bees wax only. Won't deteriorate the leather over years.
 
Sure any leather treatment will darken the leather some. But the benefits greatly out weigh the side effects. And you may not need to treat it
every year unless you live in a dry area like Phoenix. DM
 
Thanks guys for the replies. I do expect darkening. I just wish to minimize it.
Sno seal looks easy to use.
Does one melt the bees wax or just rub it on? I'm guessing white vs the yellow?
 
Depends on how much wax you want. I sometimes use heat, the sun or a hot car to apply wax but that's for heavy restoration of abused leather. In your case I'd rub the wax on then use your fingers to rub it into the leather. I never melt the wax instead using finger friction or mild heat to get it rubbed in.
 
I have also used Justin Boot Creme, Delicate 170. It doesn't darken my natural leather boots. Preston
 
Skidmore's Leather Cream does a good job. You can order it online.

Bert
 
Didn't think of boot cream. I have some Obenauf's heavy duty leather preservative. I will find a piece of leather and test it.
 
I have also used KIWI conditioning oil, found in the shoe dept. at Mart. Reading the label, it is made by S.C. Johnson & Sons in Racine, WI.. The same maker as the Johnson floor wax products.
It says, it nourishes & waterproofs. I've had good results with it on work boots and 110 sheaths. DM
 
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I have discussed this with a few people and a reputable knife maker that worked for Buck knives in the custom shop uses and recommends Johnsons furniture conditioner. It comes in a yellow tub, and works great. You can pick it up at Home Depot. most of the time.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. A few days ago I put a light coating of the leather preserve along the belly of a small Brahama handle and it looked good. Actually made it look better. The next day it was soaked in (back to almost rough again) with minimal color change so I applied a little more. I'll give it a week and see how it goes.
 
MaxCast said:
...The next day it was soaked in (back to almost rough again)...
Click to expand...
I have the small Brahma also. Here's what I think, Buck left the leather some what rough. It makes for better grip and takes less time on the line. If you want a smooth finish, lightly sand the leather...Makael, or some leather craftsman would know better than I, if you would need to use a sealer and it's effect on the leather's surface. Preston
 
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