Made me a simple leather apron, tips on what to treat it with?

[Tjurved]

Hello found a big piece of leather at the local second hand shop and today I cut and sew a leather apron from it. It is a very simple design but I'm happy with it. Will use it when I carve wood or perhaps at the bbq . Any tips on what I should treat the leather with to make it more soft? The leather is about 2-2.5mm thick.

 

[greensurfingbear]

Neetsfoot oil is a good conditioner


Orric

 

[Everything Mac]

Lovely looking apron. I'd be tempted to cut it a little shorter though personally.

I tend to go with boiled linseed oil for everything these days.

All the best
Andy

 

[birchwood]

You were lucky to find that!
Hydrophane is a good light softening oil which is non greasy so you could use it on both sides and not get any residue on your clothes.
Saddle soap is good too.

 

[Tjurved]

Thanks remember now I have a batch of 2/3 beeswax and 1/3 raw linseed oil I made a couple of years ago. Gonna try that on some small piece. And the apron is very long because it is easier to make it shorter then longer . I know I have some leather oil but forgot where it is!

 

[Stevie777]

Leatherface is that you..? Treat it with blood man.

 

[VaughnT]

I sure wish I could have found a sheet of leather that big! I had to buy an apron for my blacksmithing, but it's a good apron and I'm happy with it.

To soften the leather, a lot depends on what type of leather it is. Generally, mink oil, neatsfoot oil or tung oil will all do the job to one degree or another. I would stay away from linseed oil because it actually hardens up after awhile. That's why it's been used as a wood finish for so many years.

The leather will tend to soften with wearing, but it never hurts to give it a helping hand. The key is to manipulate the hide so that the oil moves completely through the fibers.