Leather Softener?

[Voyager28]

I have an older holster that hasn't been used for a while that I wish to put back into service. The problem is, while stored, it has become really stiff and has dried out and shrunk a little.

What can I do/use to soften it up and stretch it back out just a little.

Thanks,
Bob

 

[loknload]

We use to use Neatsfoot oil on our baseball gloves and I believe it should work for you!

 

[bamabiker]

If I was you I would use a leather conditioner and a little usually goes a long way. Lots of different kinds.
I like Blackrock Leather & Rich, cleans and conditions.
If you use neatsfoot oil use it very sparingly. It will soften the leather but too much of it will soften it more than you want. You do not want a soft holster.

 

[snubbyfan]

I always use pure Neatsfoot oil. A little goes a long way.

I'll apply it with a paper towel and rub it in. After a day or so, I'll buff off the excess.

 

[samnev]

I've used Bag Baum on a number of dried out leather slings and holsters with great success.

 

[raljr1]

saddle soap works too but neetsfoot oil is best

 

[chaparrito]

Bag Balm is good for everything, although I have not yet tried frying eggs with it.
Best price I've found on pure neatsfoot oil is at Tractor Supply. 16 oz Fiebing's pure neatsfoot oil is ten bucks. That's a LOT of oil. It will darken leather if that's an issue. I use it on boots, saddles, tack and recently rubbed down a new old stock S and W holster I bought on FleaBay. It was brand new but dry and stiff as a board. Now it's not.

 

[DocB]

I got a really hard old Lawrence holster from the 1970's last year. Debated over throwing it away even though I restore old holsters all the time. Got some KIWI black leather dye and soaked it good changing the color from tan to black. Then (over night) I started rubbing in KIWI black shoe polish. It now looks and feels like a new holster with none of that leather softening that will destroy a holster, but fully flexible as it should be.

 

[chaparrito]

Avoid expensive mixtures that "contain" neatsfoot oil. They cost too much and don't help long term. Neatsfoot wants to be in leather. It's made from a particular fat from the shins of cattle. It doesn't congeal like the fat found in the rest of the beast. Nothing soaks in like neatsfoot.

 

[Comrad]

I just acquired a new old stock Safariland black leather thumb break holster, lined, for my Beretta 92FS. It's very dry. There is no way to get this holster to snap closed with the gun in, no matter how much I hammer it into the holster. I see where Neatsfoot is the recommended solution but how can I get the leather stretched? Will it stretch on it's own after a good oiling?

 

[HorizontalMike]

I use plain old Kiwi shoe polish of selected color. Has worked fine for me for nearly 30yr.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I just acquired a new old stock Safariland black leather thumb break holster, lined, for my Beretta 92FS. It's very dry. There is no way to get this holster to snap closed with the gun in, no matter how much I hammer it into the holster. I see where Neatsfoot is the recommended solution but how can I get the leather stretched? Will it stretch on it's own after a good oiling?

Hopefully Lobo will be along.....had a similar problem with Browning ....IIRC
he suggested dipping the strap in warm water for 2minutes
then stretching it with your hands for a minute......
could stretch up to a 1/4 inch in strap length......
put gun in holster put a pad over the hammer snap strap and let it dry over night........

 

[Comrad]

Well, I ran a little hot water on the strap with the snap, put the gun in a plastic bag and pulled and snapped it closed. It's drying now but I got curious and tried it and it's amazing that's all it needed and I think it's going to work like the gun grew in there.

Too bad I can't really use it but that's my OCD, I have to have a holster for every gun.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Give us an update tomorrow..

Mine was a Browning HP in a Bianchi Cyclone...... a MarkIII has an ambi safety....... and the thumb-break was like 1/16 to short.......works like a dream now.

 

[Badger13]

Our local saddle maker and leather shop uses "olive oil" on his leather and claims it is about the best to use to keep leather in good condition. I use it on belts, boots, and holsters and it works very well.

 

[Comrad]

Update, better but I think I need another plastic bag and a repeat of the process.

I can snap it off the belt but wearing it, it's almost impossible to snap.

I used a single bag the first time, I think if I double up the bags and maybe add an extra layer of plastic over the hammer I might get the room I need.

Open to other suggestions, I won't repeat the process until tonight.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Update, better but I think I need another plastic bag and a repeat of the process.

I can snap it off the belt but wearing it, it's almost impossible to snap.

I used a single bag the first time, I think if I double up the bags and maybe add an extra layer of plastic over the hammer I might get the room I need.

Open to other suggestions, I won't repeat the process until tonight.

As it dried it shrunk to the gun and thickness of the single bag..........

Soak it for 2 minutes .... and stretch it for a minute.....I used a piece of old washcloth folded over 2 or 3 times......on the back of the Brownings slide (over cling-wrap)...... I got as Lobo suggested a good 1/4 stretch......

Good luck.

 

[Bahamaroot]

Lexol Leather Conditioner has always worked well for me. Use it on the leather seats in my truck too.

 

[Ranger514]

Lexol Leather Conditioner or Bickmore's Bick 4 have worked very well for restoring boots and other leather products.

 

[chmpco]

My new DeSantis holster warns against using most of the stuff listed here in this thread. Go to their web sites and check their recommendations.