Softening leather

[FJTBONE]

Hi Guys. I made a shooting bag, but the leather is very stiff. Does anyone know how to get it soft? Thanks Tbone

 

[David W.]

There are several ways. Pure mink oil, Lexol, 100% pure Neatsfoot oil (not the compound).

 

[ohio ramrod]

I soften stiff leather by using a small amout of pure neatsfoot oil and then "beaming" the leather. Beaming is repeatly "stretching " the leather across a rounded piece of wood. This works the oil into the fibers and makes the leather more pliable.

 

[FJTBONE]

Thanks, you guys always come thru for me.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

When you "beam" the leather, is that before or after you cut the piece to the shape you want?

 

[paulvallandigham]

Do your "stretching " with the whole hide, not small pieces.

If you have small pieces( Oops!), put them in a nylon bag, and throw them into a dryer, no heat, and tumble them for an hour with some old gym shoes and tennis balls. The shoes and balls bouncing around against the leather will beat the leather soft, without damaging the inside drum of your dryer.

 

[dlpowell]

Use the baseball glove technique.

Buy some glove oil at the sporting goods store. Spray the leather thoroughly and place it on the dash of your car, or in a prewarmed (turned off)oven until hot.

Yeah it's not traditional. But it works.

 

[widget350]

Use the baseball glove technique.

Buy some glove oil at the sporting goods store. Spray the leather thoroughly and place it on the dash of your car, or in a prewarmed (turned off)oven until hot.

Yeah it's not traditional. But it works.

I thought glove technique was to put it under your pillow... :hmm:

That would probably work, and it wouldn't cost a thing.

 

[the11]

What kind of leather is it? How thick is it?

 

[DNICK]

the soaking to turn a bag and dying it can realy dry out the leather, I oil it lightly with neetsfoot oil let it set overnight to soak into the leather (not soak in oil over night) then you can start working the leather bending it back and forth slowly at first it will soften up very quickly Duane