How to care for holsters

[ENNE-FRAME]

Hi there
I would like to clean this beautiful George Lawrence 131, I read on the forum that the most recommended product is Black Rock Leather N' Rich.
What is the difference between these two jars? Which one do I buy?
I would be grateful if you could explain to me the various steps to obtain an excellent result and possibly other products to polish the leather.
What do I use to spread these creams? Is natural sea sponge okay?
Thanks in advance.
Ciao da Roma

 

[Baxter6551]

Beautiful holster ! I know nothing about that product but in my experience I avoid anything that softens and that could make the holster loose shape or it’s fit to gun. I use simple Kiwi shoe polish and a good horsehide shoe brush. If really dirty a light application of saddle soap and let dry prior. I used neats foot oil on rifle slings once and it softened them too much.

 

[s&wchad]

HI
I would like to clean this beautiful George Lawrence 131, I read on the forum that the most recommended product is Black Rock Leather N' Rich.
What is the difference between these two jars? Which one do I buy?

They're the same product (since 1976). My current jar has the first label shown. I'd guess they replaced the Indian chief logo because it's now politically incorrect. Buy the least expensive jar!

This manufacturer video shows how to use it.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK4CzqJ2PJA[/ame]

 

[jeeps]

Hot hair dryer kills mold on leather.

 

[chief38]

Basically all I ever do is polish holsters, pouches and belts with Lincoln or Kiwi shoe polish (Lincoln is preferred). You NEVER want to soften up leather holsters, belts or pouches! Soft = lousy retention. Stiff = great original retention. Never saddle soap a holster or gun belt!

BTW, all my CCW holsters are Horsehide and have zero retention devises added to make up for inferior retention qualities. No straps, no snaps, no velcro, no screws, etc. Just properly made in the first place out of what I believe to be the best material, Horse Hide. You never want to soften up a holster and remove those properties.

 

[rednichols]

Hi there
I would like to clean this beautiful George Lawrence 131, I read on the forum that the most recommended product is Black Rock Leather N' Rich.
What is the difference between these two jars? Which one do I buy?
I would be grateful if you could explain to me the various steps to obtain an excellent result and possibly other products to polish the leather.
What do I use to spread these creams? Is natural sea sponge okay?
Thanks in advance.
Ciao da Roma

Black Rock is mostly water and antifreeze, a little oil. It's meant for painted leather surfaces such as boots. On unpainted surfaces like gunleather the finish will darken substantially and an oily finish left behind. In my pro opinion, a no-no for gunleather and saddlery.

Indeed your holster needs nothing. Holsters have lasted since the turn of the last century (the prior century another matter) without treatments of any kind. I suspect what you're thinking is you'd like it to shine; one can use clear paste wax and gain protection from moisture.

 

[Old cop]

I used Kiwi shoe polish on my duty belt, holster, mag carriers & handcuff case for years & it kept everything looking first rate.

 

[Onomea]

I'm a Blackrock fan. A little dab will do ya, spread and rubbed in with your fingertips. Polish with a soft cloth after it dries in 20 minutes or so. In my experience it does not soften the leather. Might make tan colored leather a bit darker, but, if so, I haven't noticed.

Good stuff.

 

[ENNE-FRAME]

Black Rock is mostly water and antifreeze, a little oil. It's meant for painted leather surfaces such as boots. On unpainted surfaces like gunleather the finish will darken substantially and an oily finish left behind. In my pro opinion, a no-no for gunleather and saddlery.

Indeed your holster needs nothing. Holsters have lasted since the turn of the last century (the prior century another matter) without treatments of any kind. I suspect what you're thinking is you'd like it to shine; one can use clear paste wax and gain protection from moisture.

Hi Red
I don't want to change the stiffness of the leather of the holster by softening it, I just want to clean the blackened parts, the stitching and give shine to the leather again.

 

[chief38]

Hi Red
I don't want to change the stiffness of the leather of the holster by softening it, I just want to clean the blackened parts, the stitching and give shine to the leather again.

Then Lincoln or Kiwi Shoe brand Polish is the way to go. Lincoln is a little better FYI.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Soft cloth moistened with cool or luke-warm water should remove any surface dirt. Allow the holster to dry completely (several hours or overnight) then a light application of neutral shoe polish and buff with a soft cloth.

If you find any mold, mildew, or verdigris (green crud usually around metal hardware) that usually comes off with a bit of club soda and a soft cloth.

 

[ENNE-FRAME]

Soft cloth moistened with cool or luke-warm water should remove any surface dirt. Allow the holster to dry completely (several hours or overnight) then a light application of neutral shoe polish and buff with a soft cloth.

If you find any mold, mildew, or verdigris (green crud usually around metal hardware) that usually comes off with a bit of club soda and a soft cloth.

Your device seems the least aggressive towards leather. I'll try to do it tomorrow morning, then i'll use the wax the day after tomorrow. I'll post the pictures after the shining.

 

[luvsmiths]

A light wiping, and then Renaissance Wax.

 

[john17427]

I use Lexol products. Cleaner and conditioner.

 

[rednichols]

Lobo and I have only ever agreed on this forum once! This is not that time. How did two old guys who spent the same 50 year period in the USA gunleather biz come out of it with such different views on any of it?

 

[ENNE-FRAME]

Lobo and I have only ever agreed on this forum once! This is not that time. How did two old guys who spent the same 50 year period in the USA gunleather biz come out of it with such different views on any of it?

Sorry Red
my command of the language is absolutely not high, let's say it's really basic.
I seemed to understand that you both Lobo and you had said similar things:
clean with a damp cloth, wait until it is dry and wax.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Lobo and I have only ever agreed on this forum once! This is not that time. How did two old guys who spent the same 50 year period in the USA gunleather biz come out of it with such different views on any of it?

Red, it is probably nothing more than my lack of formal training. There were a few good books that helped me along, and some that were generally useless. For the most part I learned by doing, by discovering what worked and what failed.

It is also a possibility that there are very few absolutes in our world, frequently more than one way to achieve desired results.

Also there is no shortage of opinions on any topic.

Best regards.

 

[TheHobbyist]

^^^ Class act, good response.

 

[dirty & hairy]

They wrote a song about it.

Cool Dry Place - YouTube

 

[Warren Sear]

Keep the hair drier or other source of heat away from good boots or holsters that you value.