Treating Dry Leather Help

Sharp Knives 86

Sharp Knives 86

Joined
Oct 27, 2009
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So I just got me a nice rusty old Collins machete and it came with one of those cool S. American style leather sheaths but the sheath feels quite dry and has some cracks and tears so I was hoping some of you leather experts here had some tips on treating dry leather. Any suggestions are appreciated.
 
Two things work pretty good, as long as the leather isn't too far gone. Dry rot for example cant be fixed.

Neatsfoot oil, applied sparingly, a very thin coat at a time and let it soak in before you apply the next. Please note that you want Pure Neatsfoot Oil, not the Neatsfoot oil compound. The compound has extra petroleum distillates and will harm your leather in the long run.

The other is to get a beeswax balm, a mix of beeswax and oils that will help to condition and apply a water repellant surface as well. Sno-Seal is a good one, along with Aussie Leather Conditioner. Spread it on the leather evenly then let it soak in or speed it up a bit with a hair dryer. Like the neatsfoot it is possible to over do it, so apply it sparingly and give it time between coats.
 
Another two to consider would be Williams Saddle dressing another Australian product. Or Skidmore's from here in the US. Both are beeswax concoctions. I've used both extensively and couldn't recommend either highly enough. They will work well for your application as will Leatherman's suggestion. Understand though that nothing will fix the cracks or tears. Build ya a new one yourself. Wouldn't be hard.
 
Thanks for the suggestions Horsewright. Much appreciated.I know there's no fixing the tears or cracks but I dont mind as I like the worn look it has. I'd just like to increase the sheaths life a little.
 
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