need to rejuvinate some leather straps

[Rabbitsmacker]

hiya all, just got myself a commando bergen from soldier of fortune, thought it had the load capacity that suited bushy stuff, also is made of cotton and leather with some modern backing on the canvas, make it more eco friendly than modern rucks.

problem is that during its life in storage a leather strap has perished and i think i can replace it ok, but i'm worried about the others.

what can i apply to bring them back to life? lots of leather bits on it and i'll do them all at the same time. am i looking at dubbin? or is there something that penetrates deeper into the leather?

cheers in advance for any replies.
Rob

 

[rancid badger]

Just get yourself some neatsfoot oil, dubbin rots the stitching.

RB

 

[Shewie]

The Nikwax leather reconditioner works well ....

http://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products/productdetail.php?productid=88&activity=

 

[Rabbitsmacker]

woah, dubbin rots the stitching? i had no idea!! this is very bad news for my boots!

 

[ForgeCorvus]

Neat's foot oil, the gelled stuff if you can find it (as its easier to control and it can stain the canvas )

The only thing you need to do first is check that you don't have leather rot (it goes fibrous and 'cardboardy' and you get an orange dust), that needs different treatment

 

[Rabbitsmacker]

yes the strap that i'm replacing has that, doesn't look like its got into any of the other parts though

 

[Rabbitsmacker]

ordered neatsfoot oil, thanks for your advice everyone, will see how i get on.

 

[Kerne]

Carnuba cream? I use it on the leather stuff I make and it comes up a treat (new leather, mind.)

 

[Rabbitsmacker]

cheers for all the help, the neats foot oil has transformed the stiff dry leather into flexible leather and seems to have done the trick.
cheers all.