Leather Belt

[Trench]

I just received a vegetable tanned leather belt from Jas. Townshend. The underside of the belt seems very dry to the touch. Does this seem right? Should I be applying mink oil or something to care for the leather to help make it last?

 

[RJL]

be careful applying anything to the underside of your belt. if it's dyed the color may start leaching onto your clothes.(speaking from experience :redface: )

 

[paulvallandigham]

I have put neetsfoot oil on my belts, but you have to give the belt 3-5 days to dry, then wipe off any excess that may be on the outside. Otherwise it will come out of the leather onto your clothes.

 

[Claude Mathis]

The underside of the belt seems very dry to the touch. Does this seem right? Should I be applying mink oil or something to care for the leather to help make it last?

I have leather belts that are decades old. They are dry to the touch and have never had anything applied to them. This goes for modern "dress" belts as well.

 

[Muskeg Stomper]

I have one of those same belts from Townsend and as Paul stated, neetsfoot oil works real well. I also found that the inner edge of the buckle was very sharp and tore up the belt so I took a file and some sandpaper to the buckle.

 

The underside of the belt seems very dry to the touch. Does this seem right? Should I be applying mink oil or something to care for the leather to help make it last?

I have leather belts that are decades old. They are dry to the touch and have never had anything applied to them. This goes for modern "dress" belts as well.

Your point?

 

[LRB]

I think the point is quite obvious to most. The belt probably doesn't need oil.

 

[mazo kid]

I think the point is quite obvious to most. The belt probably doesn't need oil.

I think Wick is probably correct. If the belt is not so dry that it is cracking, then it is usable as is.

 

[pichou]

Your point?

Carl, doesn't your Ancient Egyptian haversack have a leather strap?

Like most others, I readily grasped the point... if it is supple and not cracking, it is fine.

OBTW, adding poor quality oil can break down the leather, and cause cracking.

I must say, Carl, sometimes your attitude really Sphynx.

 

[Claude Mathis]

I think the point is quite obvious to most. The belt probably doesn't need oil.

Yep, that's correct.

I have a friend who thinks that all leather needs to be oiled or treated or it will disintegrate.

 

[omarick1948]

Modern veg/tanned leathers DO HAVE natural oils in them and that is the reason modern belts usually don't have any dressing on them. Watch out some of the so-called leather dressings, because many can start rotting and cracking the leather over time. Bee's wax and canuba wax blends seem to work best! JMH(NO POINT)O

Rick

 

[Trench]

Thanks everyone, for a rather entertaining thread on belt care. :grin: