question, leather holster softner

[bheadboy]

I have a couple of leather holsters, stiff as all get out, what is the best way to soften them and not put something into the leather that will damage gun finish?

any suggestion, thinking neatsfoot oil - old base ball glove treatment
Bob

 

[dickn52]

Wilson's glove treatment works for mine. My guns are stainless though. I got mine at DICKS sporting outlet.

 

[/VH]

I have a couple of leather holsters, stiff as all get out, what is the best way to soften them and not put something into the leather that will damage gun finish?

any suggestion, thinking neatsfoot oil - old base ball glove treatment
Bob

Use um.

I have several holsters from the no longer in existence (I believe) Rafter S Gunleather and they advised against applying anything to the leather other than a water damp rag for cleaning.

 

[bheadboy]

cleaning I understand, it is the stiffness that I would like to reduce, soften the leather

Bob

 

[joshb]

I use Mink oil. On my boots though, never had a leather holster. Softens up my boots really nice.

 

[MrMajestic]

Saddle soap, clean and soften.

 

[mac86951]

Saddle soap, clean and soften.

+1

 

[/VH]

cleaning I understand, it is the stiffness that I would like to reduce, soften the leather

Bob

Sorry, I should have stated it more clearly.

They advised against ever applying anything to the leather other than a water damp rag for cleaning only.

Your best bet might be to contact the manufacturer for their recommendation. I believe that many concoctions that soften leather will also cause it to stretch. Depending on how critical the fit is, that may be undesirable, especially if you're relying on the current fit for retention. If you just want them softened with no regard for stretch, oil the crap out of them and throw em in a concrete mixer with a couple good sized rocks. Although, I think certain types of leather tanning aren't very compatible with oiling. Not sure but I think chrome tanned leather, which I doubt your holsters are, is not much benefitted by oiling. Also, leather that has a sealer applied to it may not accept oil, silicone, beeswax, conditioners, etc. till the sealer is broken down or worn off.

 

[gaboon]

Neatsfoot oil will soften and protect the leather. It will also stain clothes.

 

[Lapua40X]

Wore a holster of one kind or another for thirty years. Never had any reason to soften the leather. Softening can cause it to lose its shape and thereby provide less security for supporting the side arm in its proper position; also can eventually make it difficult to return the arm to the holster without a hassle due to a floppy top opening.
But if you insist on softening it I'd suggest saddle soap.

 

[madmixerman]

+1 on Neatsfoot oil

 

[Jammer Six]

There are parts of the holster that you don't want softened. For instance, you want the mouth held open and you want the portion covering the trigger to remain absolutely rigid on both sides.

 

[/VH]

You could do like they did in the old days......
get you a squaw to chew on 'em.

 

[Forum Boss]

You actually want the holster to stay pretty stiff. Using it, as others have said, may be the best practice. Most of the heavy oils will darken the leather considerably, and some will soften the parts you want to remain stiff. I recommend using Lexol very sparingly, if you absolutely insist on softening the leather a bit.

 

[1shot]

I, like Lapua 40X spent 29+ years wearing a holster. Leather holsters are like a pair of high end shoes. You wear them sparingly at fist because they are tight, not broken is and just plain hurt. That said, those shoes last forever. On the other hand you buy a cheap pair and the feel great right away. Tell me ho long do they last?
I hope this helps,
Lloyd

 

[nosualc]

I've got a couple of boys still in the middle of their baseball years, and need to break in a couple of new gloves every other year.

I've tried most of the traditional techniques (oils), but I've evolved to using heat/steam. Soak it in water, wrap it in a wet towel, and microwave it until its steaming (on a smaller item like a holster, I'd just use a kitchen steamer). Take the still steaming glove and stretch/beat the crap out of it. Apply a Lexol (see above) liberally and let it dry.

This works very well. It's fast and effective. I've done this on about 10 gloves now and it's the fastest way I know to get a glove 2/3 broken in (the rest gets done by use).

You could apply a similar technique (steam, stretch, Lexol) to a holster. Whether it's a good idea or not is your call. I wouldn't as I don't think stretch is something you want in a holster.

-nosualc

 

[Joe R]

Saddle soap, clean and soften.

When I was into horses (lots of leather and horse sweat) I used saddle soap to clean the sweat out, but after it, I rubbed with some petroleum jelly that makes very soft and moisture resistant. I even use pj to size brass and lube inside the necks (door hinges, rubber O rings, etc...). It has 1001 uses.

Kindest regards,

Joe

 

[1lnbrdg]

Neatsfoot oil is snake oil. Destroys leather. The best sales gimmick ever.

Best treatment for leather is Bee's Wax. Easy remedy for this is (drum roll) Prep H. or the equivalent from Wally-World. It's an emulsified formula that will go on smooth.

Apply liberally and put in a plastic bag in a warm area to sit (I use the dashboard of my truck).

11 years now in this set of work boots, finally the toes are gone from abrasion though.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Holsters are NOT the same a shoes or boots. Ask any manufacturer of holsters and they
will tell you NOT to put anything on holster to soften it. Check out some web sites.
It takes some time for holster to break in so gun comes out easy. But do not soften
the leather. They must remain rigid to do their job.

 

[jrm850]

No experience with Holsters, but this stuff is great on everything else.