Softening a Belt

[Cyrano]

Didn't want to hijack the thread on softening a holster. I have a couple of new leather belts; they must be 3/16 inch thick and are stiff as a board. I want to soften them up a littie so they will be more comfortable to wear. Any suggestions?

 

[Bluecoat76]

Without a doubt. LEXOL leather conditioner. It's what museums use. NEVER put anything with oil or grease on it.

 

[therevjay]

LEXOL is good stuff. Neatsfoot oil has also been used to soften and preserve leather for a hundred years or so, despite all the horror storys you now hear. It will darken light leather some.

 

[chief38]

If you are talking about a GUN BELT, I would NOT soften it up at all. You want a Gun Belt to be stiff so that the gun and holster are tight against your side - not flapping in the breeze. The single best way I know to break in a holster and belt set is to just simply wear it - that's it. If you make a new holster and belt combo soft when it's new it will be next to useless in a year. Been there - done that!

 

[BigBill]

Saddle soap should soften it. Neatsfoot oil will soften it and make it flexible buy it may bleed the oil for a while.

 

[2152hq]

I dampen the leather w/water and then strap it on and wear it. It'll stretch where it needs to, bend where it needs to and then dry and comform to your body shape all while you have it on.
Wet/damp leather is very soft and pliable
Gets rid of that straight and stiff as a board look and feel. Makes it feel like you've been wearing it for years but it'll still look new.

 

[Iggy]

Breakin' in a holster and gun belt is just like breakin' a colt.
Use to say the best thing for a colt is pullin' a lot of wet saddle blankets off of him.
The more you wear it the better it gets.

 

[mkk41]

Lexol is good stuff , but if it's used on black leather and it gets wet , it looks like , , , heck.

I tried using it on a black leather motorcycle jacket. First time ya get caught in the rain , it gets all milky.

I like this stuff for belts , boots and holsters.

 

[Cyrano]

I used half a bottle of Lexol on it; it's still dry as the desert and stiff as a board. Occasionally I'll strap a gun on it but most of the time it just keeps my pants up.