Need a little help with reconditioning leather holsters

[Igiveup]

Back in the day when I rode horses chasing cows I used neatsfoot oil on the saddle and bridles, then switched to Lexol, even used some stinky Australian stuff one time, but for holsters I began using Black Rock Leather n Rich and don't see any reason to go backwards. I got a lot of new old holsters and the Black Rock has been great to restore them.

 

[bob1956]

PICARD’S leather dressing. Good enough for Smithsonian museum it’s great enough for me. I was told years ago never use an oil or petroleum based product for long life.

 

[bamabiker]

There is a lot of products that will do the job. The main thing is don't over do it. With most of these a little goes a long way.

 

[Gunhacker]

PICARD’S leather dressing. Good enough for Smithsonian museum it’s great enough for me. I was told years ago never use an oil or petroleum based product for long life.

It's actually Pecard leather dressing. There's two formulas, an antique leather and regular.

Judging by the rave reviews on Amazon, I'm going to give it a try for some aging knife sheaths in need of some TLC.

 

[KalamazooKid]

I’ve posted these pics before, but it’s a before and after using some Blackrock Leather n Rich followed by some Renaissance Wax on an old Hunter holster. I think the results speak for themselves.

 

[crazyphil]

Nice job Mark.

 

[Aircrewman]

Thanks one and all for your very helpful responses. I have much to think about but it looks like I will be able to get these two holsters back to serviceable condition quickly and properly.

I spent $5 each for these holsters. I think that the seller had written them off as goners.... I wasn't so sure.... Thanks again for everyone's help.

 

[Onomea]

Here's an early Heiser that needed some TLC.

Before:



After:



Blackrock, then brown shoe polish, buffed with a shoe brush.

 

[Bald1]

Yes, and just in case someone misses it: you do not want a soft holster. Soft = floppy. Bad retention.

Softens as in preventing cracks. NOT eliminating structural integrity.