Softening leather...

[Nightwind]

I've got some cowhide about 1/8" thick. Dyed reddish brown.
How do you take some of the stiffness out of it and what do you use to preserve it? I'm making a gun case for the flint Lancaster rifle I'm building for the wife. Eventually, I will make her a matching shooting bag to go with it.

Thanks for any suggestions,
Nightwind

 

[brushbuster]

neatsfoot oil will preserve your leather quite well and help soften it a bit.
what will really soften the leather is to secure an old round shovel blade to a log and work the flesh side over theshovel until you get the suppleness you want.
you can get your wife to chew the leather for you after supper :haha: :haha:

the first two you can try but i don't know about the third :crackup:

 

[rayb]

"Lexol" has worked for me when i worked on some original US Army saddlebags. Some leather craft shops have it, occasionally bootmakers or shoe repair. It did not change the color, but helped the flexibility.

rayb

 

[Nightwind]

Thanks guys! I've got to learn how to use the search feature better, seems I found some answers later on another post. But, thanks again for your replies.

I've been working the leather over by rolling and pinching it between my fingers. Sure is alotta' work but it's softening up real nice.

 

[FireMaker]

If'n ya want a nice pc leather treatment, give bearfat a try. I use bearfat or a 2:1 bearfat/beeswax to treat all my leather. The mix also is patch lube.

 

Another PC correct method is to have the women folk chew the leather til it reaches the proper softness. Go ahead ask her to do that for you, I dare you, then go get the pillow, and blanket and find the couch. :crackup:

 

Now Brushie :huh:if she chewed it after he put the bees wax/bear fat on it wouldn't that be called "Chewin DaFat"?
:crackup: :crackup: :crackup:

You may get that pillow wraped around your head too! :results:
Not to mention that she may get a lil "TICKED" too.
:shake:

Woody

 

[sse]

FM - Do you us raw bear fat or bear fat that has been rendered into oil?

Regards, sse

 

If'n ya want a nice pc leather treatment, give bearfat a try. I use bearfat or a 2:1 bearfat/beeswax to treat all my leather. The mix also is patch lube.

I agree!!!!.... but, I use a bear "oil"/bee's wax mix, fer both applications!!!!

YMHS
rollingb

 

[Bill Bounds]

Nightwind:
The taxidermst use a piece of equipment sort of like a dryer to tumble the leather soft. you could try tumbleing your leather with sneakers or semi hard articles in the dryer with no heat.

 

[Rebel]

I always wanted to find an old wringer washing machine to use for running hides through the wringer to see if that would work.

 

[Slamfire]

I hope you fellahs usin' the bear fat and neatsfoot oil stay downwind.