New shooting bag help

[Bigdaddykane]

merry Christmas to all!
I received new shooting bag as gift, soft leather, but still pretty stiff, whats secret to soften it up more?

 

[Omahkapi'si]

Use the heck out of it!

 

[Trigger]

I'm sure there are products like a baseball glove conditioner softener. How soft do you want the leather to be? I'm opting for a new shooting bag made of stiff leather, and I prefer it that way. Why soft? It's simply a matter of personal preference for me, similar to a leather jacket - I prefer the solid, thick biker style over the soft, dressy type.

I think using it should break it in nice alone.

 

[Trigger]

I've used car leather dash conditioner on a leather jacket once or twice. It's up to you if you like a shooting bag to break in and look a little worn. Keeping it nice though is nice just the same. Without listing everything I think you don't need, a non-glossy interior leathers car spray of choice might be ok.

 

[Hawthorn1213]

What a great gift! Mink oil or vasoline can be worked into the leather to soften it up. Just be aware both will darken the leather and take a few days to dry out.

 

[smo]

Shaving cream…. With lanolin.

Rub it in a couple times and your good too go.

 

[Beaverman2]

First off what type of leather is it and how is it tanned? cow, pig, goat, deer or elk ? chrome tanned? oil tanned? bark tanned?, smooth finish, or sued out? not all leather is created equal and one treatment may work on one type and NOT another.

 

[David Y. Snellen]

Dear Sir,
As a saddle maker, please do not use vaseline or ANY petroleum products or Neet's Foot Oil COMPOUND on leather.
100% Neetsfoot oil, Mink oil, olive oil or Lexoil are good choices. If it is suede, any oil will change it dramatically.
Also, oil darkens leather.
David

 

[andy52]

Dear Sir,
As a saddle maker, please do not use vaseline or ANY petroleum products or Neet's Foot Oil COMPOUND on leather.
100% Neetsfoot oil, Mink oil, olive oil or Lexoil are good choices. If it is suede, any oil will change it dramatically.
Also, oil darkens leather.
David

X2

 

[kansas_volunteer]

X2

Put it in a clothes drier (front loader) with four or five lacrosse balls, and tumble on air-dry until soft enough for you.

 

[Rebel bull]

Put it in a clothes drier (front loader) with four or five lacrosse balls, and tumble on air-dry until soft enough for you.

old tennis shoes work wonders

 

[Banjoman]

Use the heck out of it!

 

[David LaPell]

I pretty much use mink oil for all my leather bags and pouches. If the leather is fairly stiff, I'll do it twice just to make sure it gets in there and that usually helps soften it up.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

Use it and it will mellow. Adding a bunch of oil or grease unnecessarily will prematurely age the leather and possibly its stitching causing an early failure. Is it made of vegetable/bark tannage? Many today seem to want that leather to obtain characteristics of modern chrome tan or brain tanned leather.
Agree with above on the products containing petroleum.