A little leather care advice

[Tomcoles]

I was brought a nice leather hand made belt for Christmas for bushcraft. to keep it in good condition what do I used to treat the leather with and how often? Same goes for a leather knife sheath I got.

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[Viktor]

This is how I treat my gear. Disclaimer: I don't claim it to be the best not even the right thing but still it works for me.
Leather belt I usually leave as is unless it's used as outer wear (exposed to weather).
As for sheaths I threat the the same as leather boots, protect them with a home-made paraffinvax, beeswax and linseed oil mix (shoevax?), it keeps them nice and waterproof.

 

[Squidders]

Don't treat the belt, but use it often... leather belts don't like laying around.

I apply a thin coat of hydrophane darkening oil to my other leather stuff once a year or if it needs it.

 

[Tomcoles]

Thankyou very much that's put my mind at rest. I just wanted them to last me a long long time. Where is the best place to buy the darkening solution and beeswax etc do you know a cheep retailer?


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[ozzy1977]

I just use boot polish on my leather, belt only gets done about once every year or more.

 

[Squidders]

Most horse grooming suppliers, amazon, horse stables often have a shop... basically anywhere that also sells leather goods for our equine friends.

 

[liam362]

i have always used brown kiwi shoe polish, it protects the leather and gives it a little bit of extra protection

 

[santaman2000]

I've used Kiwi shoe polish, Baseball glove oil, olive oil, Saddle oils, etc. All work well enough; but the olive oil will go off after a while, and the shoe polish doesn't penetrate an oil finished leather. All of the oils will darken the leather.

 

[Teepee]

Nikwax does all my leather stuff.

 

[Angst]

hiya.....nice to see you care for your gifts but i think you may be worrying too much my friend.....

belt...leave it....i've a merriweather firemns belt here thats 120 years old and its absolutely lovely in the state its in....it hasnt been treated with ANYTHING for decades.

as for the sheath.....i'd say the same really....i've sheaths here i made for myself that have been out with me in every condition and theyve aged beautifully....all i would ever do is give one a wipe over with a dab of fiebings antique medium brown finish then buff it up....as a complete newbie i would say that you trying to mix home made concoctions is not a good idea. a jar of this will last you years:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIEBINGS-...UK_Crafts_Leathercraft_LE&hash=item1e73f9f871

if your leatherwork was cracking, rigid stiff, rare/valuable, dry, old, worn i'd give different advice but in my opinion people are dazzled by too much product too many methods and too much hearsay....

really....no offence to anyone but i really dont think you need to do anything to them whatsoever for probably many many years.

regards

s

ps....i would not advise using chemicals on leatherwork unless youve contacted the person who made it. say for instance it had been coated in resolene....much of the above advice would totally mess your leather up. i see the belt is by shark designs....i would advise contacting mark hordon.

pps....sorry, i'm really not trying to upset anyone...but i'd recommend a deeper sheath too....

 

[Tomcoles]

Thank you for your kind advice. They are very special items. So I really do want to give them the very best care. To keep them in good condition.


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[topknot]

ps....i would not advise using chemicals on leatherwork unless youve contacted the person who made it. say for instance it had been coated in resolene....much of the above advice would totally mess your leather up. i see the belt is by shark designs....i would advise contacting mark hordon.


Plus one on the above.

Topknot

 

[ged]

Take care that whatever you use on the belt doesn't stain clothing. My bike leathers have been fine with "Mars Oil" for over 15 years.