Weatherproofing cow's knee

[akhawkeye]

Hi all: I would like to make a cow's knee out of some garment leather I have lying around. My question to you all is, what's the best way to weatherproof this thinner leather. I've done plenty of work with veg tanned stuff, but never with this lighter weight garment leather. The reason I would like to make it out of this is so I can compact it down enough to fit in my hunting bag.

Thanks in advance,
Colin

 

[paulvallandigham]

I use Neatsfoot oil on the leather. A couple of coast, and the leather is will conditioned and sheds water well. You could also use melted beeswax to seal the leather. Wax makes the leather stiffer than I prefer, but it does work.

 

[mark starr]

use mink oil neatsfoot makes things to slimy

 

[paulvallandigham]

Not after it dries for 24 hours.

 

[Swampman]

I use a mixture of 1/3 each lard, bee's wax, and olive oil. It doesn't stink to high heaven.

I've been using it for patch lube and leather dressing for years with zero problems. In the winter time you may need to thin it with more olive oil. It can also be used for chapped lips, scrapes, and hemroids. You might wish to wash your finger between hemroids and lip balm.

 

[mazo kid]

I use a tallow/beeswax mix, coat the leather good and heat it a bit in the microwave. Over a campfire in a skillet or dutch oven if you're a real purist. It doesn't take much heat, you just want the leather to be warm enough to soak the mix up.

 

[mccoy]

well-rendered bear oil. No smell, and you can hunt all day in the rain.

 

[Swampman]

Bear oil is good. I have some whale oil. It stinks but it's probably pretty old.

 

[tg]

I use Huberds Shoe Grease, for most of my leather protecting/conditioning, it used to be made here but someone bought out the buisness and I think it is still being made but don't know where, it is basicaly brewers pitch I beleve, I know the guy who used to own the buisness, he was a good source of Bees wax and a ML shooter also.

 

[akhawkeye]

Thanks y'all! I'll give some of these suggestions a try. Now I just got to go get me a bear... but that's another thread. :wink:

 

[Black Hand]

Deer tallow.

 

[Len Graves]

I use a product called Snow seal for waterproofing leather products from boots (I think it's intended use) to knife sheaths,bags, holsters Etc. It already has beeswax in it and other stuff to make it melt and penetrate. I just use a hair dryer to melt it in. Wipe off excess and buff with a brush. Stays waterproof for a long time.

 

[onepaw]

may i ask what the cows knee is?

 

[bnail]

may i ask what the cows knee is?

a "Cow's knee" is a lock cover for your firelock. it protects the breech area from the elements.
here's a pic of mine:

and here's a pattern of one:

I'm not exactly certain on the etymology, but I believe it is derived from the use of the leather from the cow's knee which made an excellent, preformed cover.

 

[onepaw]

thanks, thought it might be long that line but was not sure.

 

[flm_shooter]

may i ask what the cows knee is?

a "Cow's knee" is a lock cover for your firelock. it protects the breech area from the elements.
here's a pic of mine:

and here's a pattern of one:

I'm not exactly certain on the etymology, but I believe it is derived from the use of the leather from the cow's knee which made an excellent, preformed cover.

I made one using that pattern before, it ended up a bit too small to fully cover the lock area. Next one I'll boost the size a bit.

 

[bnail]

I've actually never used that pattern so that's good to know. I just laid my musket on a piece of paper and traces around it.
that pattern is an enhanced version of one someone scanned from one of Mark Baker's books. It was difficult to see so I touched it up. I figured it would be less sewing that the one I used.

 

[hawkeye1755]

I made one using that pattern before, it ended up a bit too small to fully cover the lock area. Next one I'll boost the size a bit.

Dito.Here is a pic from my first cow's knee.As you can see, it was too short. :shake:

My sec. cow's knee.

:hatsoff:

 

[bnail]

I worried about weatherproofing, but my Buddy, (Colonial_blacksmith), from whom I borrowed my design said he never had a problem from the elements with the long center seam. I opted not to put a welt in, and so far I haven't been disapointed. as far as treatment, I just oiled up the leather. I figure that a lock cover won't ever be any more waterproof than a moccassin, so as long as I can at least deflect the rain then I'll be fine.
Here's my newest prototype:

 

[deanscamaro]

Thanks for the feedback on that cow's knee, Undertaker. I picked up that design yesterday and was about to make one with some left over bison leather from a bag. I will increase the size on the one I make.Not sure whether Skagan's prototype is PC; I think I will pass on that one.
:bow: :shake: :youcrazy: