Conditioning Leather

[kbm6893]

I have an Ontario 499 knife on the way and know the leather of the sheath and the handle be fit from conditioning. What product should I get and what is the recommended procedure?

 

[Oldsalt66]

I use Lexol or Zymol; maybe there's better, but that's what I use.

 

[Valmet]

I use Weiman leather wipes or spray most of the time. Sometimes I use Ballistol.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Lexol Cleaner and then Lexol Deep Conditioner.

 

[moosedog]

A product that is not petroleum based is preferred for fine leather. Petroleum based products will make it shine today but actually dry out the natural oils in the leather over time.

 

[JH1951]

I have had good results with Lexol conditioner and Blackrock. I often use both.
Others will have different opinions, but this has worked for me.

addendum: I have also had very good luck with pure lanolin on boots and the like over the years. It has been a while since I have seen any - I used to get it at the drugstore back in the day.

 

[lihpster]

Another vote for Blackrock.

 

[Greyman50]

Many so called " leather conditioners" will rot the threads if it has stitching. Be careful.

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

A mixture of hand-pounded beaver lard, natural tannin of turpentine, and desaturated fatty acid from tanned seal hides works well when inoculated with Incan black to restrain the neautral oils in the leather.

 

[14daMoney]

Lexol Cleaner and then Lexol Deep Conditioner.

another vote here for Lexol. I recently restored a 1904 Billiard table which had been in storage unassembled for decades. The pockets looked like they would crack and disintegrate if you just touched them. So, I took 2 quarts of Lexol and heated it up to a simmer, then soaked each pocket individually overnight. The darn things came out like I'd just bought them.....

 

[A-300 Dave]

Having owned a few horses AND TACK I have cared for a lot of leather in my day. Lexol products proved to be the "go to" for cleaning/conditioning all of my leather goods.

 

[James K]

Can also try mink oil.

 

[DonB1950]

There is a product called Urad, it works wonders on dry leather, really cleans and brings it back to life.

 

[Onomea]

A mixture of hand-pounded beaver lard, natural tannin of turpentine, and desaturated fatty acid from tanned seal hides works well when inoculated with Incan black to restrain the neautral oils in the leather.

Be fun to catch a video of Glen shopping…

 

[minconrevo]

Fiebings 4-Way and Lexol work well. Mink oil is a "no", as are other grease based products. On leather holsters I apply Tandy Sheen after the conditioner has set in.