restore old thick leather fireman's

[BILLy]

Hi all
I have been given an old thick leather fire and axe belt and pouch, it's all dry and stiff.
Can anyone tell me what the best way of getting it back supple again please?
I was thinking baby oil, but won't try anything just yet.
Cheers
Bill

 

[KIMBOKO]

Try googling British museum Leather Dressing:-

200 g	anhydrous lanolin
30 ml	cedar oil (acts as a fungicide)
15 g	beeswax (optional)
330 ml	X-4 solvent or hexane (solvent)

The first three ingredients are mixed warm, then added to the cold solvent and allowed to cool while constantly stirring. Care should be exercised, as hexane is highly flammable.

 

[British Red]

Neetsfoot oil does a brilliant job of making dried hard leather supple. Follow up with some saddle soap and it'll really surprise you!

 

[John Fenna]

Neetsfoot oil does a brilliant job of making dried hard leather supple. Follow up with some saddle soap and it'll really surprise you!

Beat me to it!

 

[BILLy]

Cheers men!
Ill get on it

 

[Flintlockandsteel]

Just found this being offered by Townley Equestrian & Country in Preston.
Leather Feed, 1kg, lanolin and beeswax mix. £13.49 + £5 p&p.
I've still to hear if there's anything else in the formula.
If simply lanolin and beeswax is this enough to revive old military or Country Sports type leather goods?

Re Neetsfoot oil ... a nice finish maybee, but a variety of communities report that it rots stitching. Last time I was told that was in an Equestrian supplies shop. I wouldn't use it.