"Polishing" Leather

mrfritz44 · Dec 2, 2024

My old man, RIP, made this leather bag for me when I was about 12 years old and it hasn't seen much use as I opted for a more modern bag in recent years to preserve the one he made in 1984.

I just upgraded it with the arrowhead I bought in Utah on a backpacking trip with my son a few years ago, but other than that it's almost as old as me.

Since I plan to use it again in about a month in the late PA late season hunts, I was wondering how I can get that polished satin leather look in a hurry as I'm sure it's more weather proof than the porous leather currently.

Any aging/weatherproofing techniques you would recommend aside from the basic mink oil application I'm thinking are due?

PEARL DRUMS · Dec 8, 2024

I’m a huge mink oil fan. I put two coats per year in my bags and boots. It softens, moistens and protects.

French Colonial · Dec 8, 2024

Leather-N-Rich, out of Pekin IL, best leather dressing you will ever find.

Juice Jaws · Dec 8, 2024

PEARL DRUMS said:
I’m a huge mink oil fan. I put two coats per year in my bags and boots. It softens, moistens and protects.

I like mink oil also but find it strange never found a mink who was in favor of it.

Beaverman2 · Dec 8, 2024

mrfritz44 said:
My old man, RIP, made this leather bag for me when I was about 12 years old and it hasn't seen much use as I opted for a more modern bag in recent years to preserve the one he made in 1984.

I just upgraded it with the arrowhead I bought in Utah on a backpacking trip with my son a few years ago, but other than that it's almost as old as me.

Since I plan to use it again in about a month in the late PA late season hunts, I was wondering how I can get that polished satin leather look in a hurry as I'm sure it's more weather proof than the porous leather currently.

Any aging/weatherproofing techniques you would recommend aside from the basic mink oil application I'm thinking are due?

have used this for 45 years, the best PERIOD!
https://shop.whitesboots.com/conditioning/whites-heavy-duty-leather-preservative-8-oz./

wiscoaster · Dec 8, 2024

I like Bick 4 leather conditioner. It's my first choice go-to for leather:
https://bickmore.com/products/bick-4-leather-conditioner-16oz

Whitworth · Dec 8, 2024

Pecard's Leather Dressing.

Omahkapi'si · Dec 8, 2024

I would use the heck out of it as is and let it age, that is one beautiful bag.

Tom A Hawk · Dec 8, 2024

Neatsfoot oil.

Omahkapi'si · Dec 8, 2024

Neatsfoot oil may darken it up so test a bit first.

I recently sprayed my leather mukluks with with Ballistol...soaked it up and no water getting in....not the recommended use but it says it's good for most anything....

Two Feathers · Dec 10, 2024

For what it's worth, I swear by Leather Balm with Atom Wax. Been using it for years. I use it on everything I make from leather. You can get it at Weaver Leather Supply Co, OR do a google search. A lot of companies sell it, Even Walmart or so the search says?
It might come in colors? I use Neutral. That's your best bet. I think it would work great on the gorgeous bag. Your dad "done good."
God bless:
Two Feathers

The Miner '49er · Dec 10, 2024

Neutral paste shoe polish?

French Colonial · Dec 10, 2024

This is getting as bad as asking for someone's favorite lube recipe

smo · Dec 11, 2024

Just use Bear grease, it’ll work for patch lube & leather dressing…

Tom A Hawk · Dec 11, 2024

After reviewing the OP I'm not sure that polishing is the correct term. "Polishing" connotes imparting a luster or sheen and leather supply houses such as Tandy have many products available to do that. Photos of some "polished" items that I have made follow below.

Since the bag appears to be a suede leather perhaps it does not require any sort of treatment.

smo · Dec 11, 2024

I thought it looked like veg tan with one side rough?

But I agree more info from the op would be helpful explaining what he wants..

mrfritz44 · Thursday at 5:56 AM

Stressed or weathered would have been better terms to use in hindsight as I wanted to achieve a used look with a sheen.

Probably unorthodox to do, but I remembered some "art" I learned in bookcamp 30 years ago and tried some black and brown Kiwi shoe polish wax with some heavy buffing with a brush.

I got the effect I wanted but I still need to see how it holds up and takes mink oil to keep the leather soft.

Omahkapi'si · Thursday at 9:37 AM

Use the heck out of it in all weather until it looks rode hard and put up wet.

mrfritz44 · Thursday at 9:39 AM

For what it's worth, the bag took the mink oil fine and shed hardly any polish on my hand.

ADK Bigfoot · Thursday at 9:43 AM

I make a paste of bear oil and beeswax. I heat it gently in a double boiler and apply with a toothbrush. Then I use a hair dryer to melt it into the leather. then Buff to a shine. My hunting boots get this treatment twice a year and have never leaked.

ADK Bigfoot

"Polishing" Leather

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