Stinky holster

[S&W Fan]

As in smelly, yuck lol. About a month ago I bought a Hume JIT for my 442. When I first took it out of the bag I was about knocked over by the smell. Well here it is a month later and the thing still smells. In over 30 years of wearing leather holsters I've never had an experience like this. I like the way it carrys, just about forget the gun is even there but the smell-hoowee. I've left it out of the bag in open areas since I bought it and no change. I can walk into whatever room it's in and can instantly smell it.

Any ideas?

 

[ColbyBruce]

I had a Bianchi X15 shoulder rig for a BHP that I bought off a retired LEO who was a full-time smoker. I wrapped that thing in a T shirt and deactivated charcoal and got most, but not all, of the smell out. Fresh air and sunshine will help some too.

If it has gotten wet, such as a Tom cat has urinated on it, you may be out of luck. I had a cat get in my garage once and spray some boxes, including one that went with an unfired Sako 78 .22 Hornet. I had to pitch it.

 

[ColbyBruce]

You can also try covering the holster in cat litter or baking soda.

 

[Jaysq]

I don't know anything about making holsters but it almost sounds like the leather wasn't cured properly. Any chance you could return it?

 

[LoboGunLeather]

What comes to mind first is the possibility of mold or mildew. Leather is susceptible to both.

 

[jmace57]

I got a holster with a Makarov one time and it smells like burned coffee. 2 years later, it STILL smells bad! I may try that kitty litter thing!

 

[fat tom]

You might try puttin' it in a plastic bag with a Febreeze (sp) dryer sheet.

f.t.

 

[Gunhacker]

That's tough to address, it could be the tanning that was used or the dye. My thought is along the line of what ColbyBruce mentioned, but instead of using activated charcoal, try baking soda which is more readily available and much less expensive in quantity, to draw the stink out of it.

I was thinking, put the holster in a gallon zip-loc bag, fill with baking powder and let it sit. But, I don't know what the possible effects might be on the holster finish, wrapping it in a cloth to prevent direct contact but while still allowing the "stink molecules" to be drawn into the baking soda might be prudent.

 

[gwpercle]

Try the kitty-litter like Fresh-Step or something that touts "odor control", some even has charcoal activated and Baking Soda in it and you may have to leave it in there a while. Also try pet odor neutralizing sprays.....it almost sounds like an animal "sprayed" on it. I see where Hume Holsters are still in business and have a website...couldn't hurt to contact them about the problem abd see if they can help...they are in the business.
Gary

 

[ColbyBruce]

I was given the deactivated charcoal from a friend who owned a funeral home. If you have any mortician friends, seek their advice.

 

[S&W Fan]

Thanks for all the ideas, on Monday I'll reach out to Hume directly. It's a strange one for sure. Can guarantee no cat peed on it, or any other animal for that matter unless it happened at the factory. I bought it new.

 

[sipowicz]

Eat a lot of beans...that should cover the smell.

 

[Texas Star]

Thanks for all the ideas, on Monday I'll reach out to Hume directly. It's a strange one for sure. Can guarantee no cat peed on it, or any other animal for that matter unless it happened at the factory. I bought it new.

Well, if you bought it new, it's probably under warranty. Call Hume and ask what to do. Even if they don't offer a warranty, they may help, to save their reputation.

I understand that Ruger doesn't have a real warranty, but they are very good about servicing defective products.

 

[wittmeba]

What comes to mind first is the possibility of mold or mildew. Leather is susceptible to both.

Yeah...remember this "leather" was once alive and doing well on the hoof, I'm sure.

As above with Kitty litter, and sprinkle with baking soda. Perhaps some Bounce dryer sheets.

 

[jonesy814]

You can deactivated charcoal in the pet section of most walmarts. Its used in the filters and is not expensive.

 

[alwslate]

I had the same experience with a new Bianchi, very strong dye smell.
I could smell it just by entering the room it was in. I stuffed if full of
dryer sheets and left it in a closet for months. I've owned it for several
years now and it still has some odor. The company should know better
than to ship holsters in that condition.

 

[bigmoose]

Leather goods made in India are often tanned with uric acid and have a distinctively unpleasant smell. I wonder where the Hume hides are processed?

 

[Old TexMex]

Bad as it sounds, Masingill douce, or white vinegar.

 

[Frank237]

Recently got an EPS rig and had to hang it outside for a week or so to get the really severe, cured leather smell off of it.

 

[gwpercle]

If it came from the factory like that I'm sure Hume will want to make it good. Bad PR like that can lose you a good deal of business.
I hope it's not tanned with uric acid...that's what is in urine! Ugh!

Usually a new leather holster smells so good . Keep us posted.
Gary

 

[george minze]

In the old days...buying boots made in Old Mexico could get that tanning smell especially after getting them wet.....Uric acid is a good guess, or old fashioned cattle urine...Probable the same thing...A lot of talented boot makers but a lot of funny tanned leather...Never had that problem with American tanned boots or holsters..any more who can guess where made.....You don't think an American Classic like Levi is still made in America do you.....Try Bangladesh

 

[KLYDE]

I've got a drawer full of Lobo's. When I open it up to choose a holster it smells like heaven. Sometimes I stand there for a minute or two and enjoy the smell.

I'd call the manufacturer. Something must have gone wrong when being cured or after.

 

[snubbyfan]

I like the smell of leather. The products I use to dye and finish leather have to have the right smell once it's all dyed and buffed out.
As far as I'm concerned leather has to have the right look, feel and smell.

 

[4011]

I bought a used holster for one my1908 colts. When I opened the box it stunk. It came from down la way and had to have been wet. I tried every thing I could find to get the smell off. Nothing helped. Gave it away. Those holsters are hard to find.

 

[gordon21]

There is a cheap odor remover chemical that is used by the dairy industry. It can be bought in small amounts for under $5. I can't remember the exact name, but it is something similar to Timken or rhymes with that. It would be available in any feed/seed store or matbe at Tractor Supply.

 

[george minze]

I like the smell of leather. The products I use to dye and finish leather have to have the right smell once it's all dyed and buffed out.
As far as I'm concerned leather has to have the right look, feel and smell.

At my age I have to recall my younger brain, but I think I usually described something else that had to have the ...Right look, feel, and smell...It wasn't leather ..Memories thank God for memories......

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
The best odor remover is "FDS". (female deodorant spray) When my dog was sprayed by a skunk, this was the only spray that would take the odor away.

 

[S&W Fan]

Update; it's definitely the dye that is giving off the odor. I left a message at Hume, haven't heard back. Left it in a zip bag w/softener sheet, no change, it's been sitting unbagged in the garage since last night, I'll check it in the morning.

 

[fat tom]

At my age I have to recall my younger brain, but I think I usually described something else that had to have the ...Right look, feel, and smell...It wasn't leather ..Memories thank God for memories......

My younger brain really didn't care about any of those things as long as it was AVAILABLE.
f.t.

 

[george minze]

My younger brain really didn't care about any of those things as long as it was AVAILABLE.
f.t.

I find to my dismay that age has definatly changed my priorities...