How to soften leather ???

[Southarkrob]

I have a Dixie Jeager rifle and I bought the sling that comes with it... the sling is made out of leather and is kinda stiff and new looking. What is the best way to soften it up? Thanks Robbie

 

[Zonie]

A lot of Neatsfoot oil will soften it.

 

[Southarkrob]

Thanks...will try that

 

[David W.]

+1 neetsfoot oil.

 

[nkbj]

What they said. Good stuff. And my brother used it for patch lube for super accurate max loads in his Renegade.

 

[LaBonte]

A lot of Neatsfoot oil will soften it.

With all due respect putting A LOT of any type of oil is the best way to begin it's ruin - that comment is based on 50 years as leather crafter, including being a full time maker/repairman. Leather should be in the 18-24% oil level - anything over that tends to weaken and break down the cell walls.

Any of the good saddle or leather contitioners will work but the oil should be applied sparingly in several coats if need be. Also when adding the heavier leather like neatsfoot it's best to warm it (about 110-120°F max) is good - about like hot tap water before applying and then let it "rest" for 24 hours to even out the absorbtion.
Once the oil is applied work the piece back and forth in your hands.

FWIW - neats foot oil is good (albeit most is now processed hog lard and not the old style made from calf legs), but being one of the heavier saddle/harness oils it is easy to over apply and is the number one cause for problems with too much oil in leather goods.
Other options are Lexol Conditioner (one of the best since it has been purpose designed to prevent evaporation of the oil from the leather), mink oil, Montana Pitch Blend, and one of my favs, dubbin, are some of the best available or that can be made.

 

[east texas]

i get my squaw to chew my leather till ist soft and supple, beins how shes still got all her teeth! :rotf: seriously tho she goes to the horse auction and buys old saddles and harness and leather of varios types and we use saddle soap to soften it up a little. never read whats in the can, but it was very interesting to read the info from someone who knows what theyre talking about, thats why i love this forum! i DO make a lot of wisecracks, but the info i have gathered here is VERY educational mike

 

[BigDeutscher]

Dr Jacksons Hide Rejuvenator
Is the best you can buy
Available on line and at the leather factory
Tandy leather
About $7.00 a tub
I have used it for many many years
Deutsch

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

A lot of Neatsfoot oil will soften it.

With all due respect putting A LOT of any type of oil is the best way to begin it's ruin - that comment is based on 50 years as leather crafter, including being a full time maker/repairman. Leather should be in the 18-24% oil level - anything over that tends to weaken and break down the cell walls.

Any of the good saddle or leather contitioners will work but the oil should be applied sparingly in several coats if need be. Also when adding the heavier leather like neatsfoot it's best to warm it (about 110-120°F max) is good - about like hot tap water before applying and then let it "rest" for 24 hours to even out the absorbtion.
Once the oil is applied work the piece back and forth in your hands.

FWIW - neats foot oil is good (albeit most is now processed hog lard and not the old style made from calf legs), but being one of the heavier saddle/harness oils it is easy to over apply and is the number one cause for problems with too much oil in leather goods.
Other options are Lexol Conditioner (one of the best since it has been purpose designed to prevent evaporation of the oil from the leather), mink oil, Montana Pitch Blend, and one of my favs, dubbin, are some of the best available or that can be made.

Excellent advice from LaBonte! Neatsfoot oil (PURE Neatsfoot oil that is, do not waste your money on neatsfoot oil compound) is the best thing to use but do not expect it to "soften" leather and why would you want it to? The best thing to make leather more flexible is to use it, it shouldn't take long. If you apply enough of anything to soften a piece of leather, you have pretty much ruined it.

 

[tg]

Sounds like good advice to me, if you have a suede side you can work it over a break to hasten the softening, a wooden chair top or circular saw blade with the teeth ground off and imbedded in a block of wood, use a "shoe shine" motion, if both sides are smooth this method will likley scuff the side used, but may not look bad in the end...only one way to tell unfortunaely, you can probably dampen with water and do as well as with any oil, it is just a matter of further breaking down of the fibers, try on an old belt from Goodwill that is stiff or anything similar.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Have to disagree with LaBonte.
I use Neatsfoot oil to soften and preserve. In the old days horse tack was soaked overnight in it about once a year to keep it in good condition.
I have belts and other items so old they are nearly historical artifacts (like me) that are in great shape and I credit that to the ample use of Neatsfoot oil. And, BTW, I find the oil with silicone added to be no different in result than pure. And, BTW #2, if used the item must be allowed to drain and be wiped to remove excess as the oil will turn clothes and skin orange colored if you don't.

 

[David W.]

Let's include Sno-Seal in this discussion! For those who have it, bear oil is also a good treatment.

 

I will second you on the Montana Pitch Blend, great stuff

 

[Richard Brinkman]

How about Ballistol? I read on the label that's it's good for leather amongst most other things? I did try some on some really dry leather a old knife sheath and belt and seemed to work well time will tell? I would like to hear a experts response to this. These were items that are not that valuable and can be easly replaced.

Richard

 

[necchi]

Let's include Sno-Seal in this discussion!

Snow Seal doesn't "soften" leather.

 

[David W.]

Let's include Sno-Seal in this discussion!

Snow Seal doesn't "soften" leather.

Every now and then I get a brain fart....OK, quite often! I meant to include that after using neatsfoot oil, I protect the leather with Sno-seal.
:redface:

 

[necchi]

:wink:
That's just why I like useing Snow seal, it's a darn good treatment to protect and preserve leather, Elk hide, Buckskin items.
It was recomended to me by an olde shoe shop keeper an leather trades gent out in Wyo years back. I was set on using Mink Oil for treating boot's and winter "pacs", he told me mink oil softens leather with long term use and that's not always a good thing for a pair of work boot's.
Been using Snow Seal ever sence