Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jack Haskins, Jr. on February 13, 2015 at 19:00

I've used stuff on leather but normally only on pretty new leather things hoping to keep them nice. I have used neatsfoot oil recently on straight razor strops and I've seen it recommended to rejuvinate old hanging leather strops. But I don't think the recommendations are for leather in as bad shape as you may find on an old knife handle. For anyone to use a leather strop on their straight razors the leather needs to be in very good condition or it could ruin the edge on the razor. Don't know if this helps you or not.

Jack

Permalink Reply by John w schmidt on February 13, 2015 at 20:36

I've used a lot of n.f.o. But like you say ,,for good leather. Thanks for commenting though! John

Permalink Reply by James Cole on February 14, 2015 at 9:47

I used to use Neatsfoot oil to bring the life back into some of my leather projects.  I've never used it on stacked leather and wouldn't know whether to rub on multiple applications or soak it.  I used a sheepskin pad to apply it.  You can find it on Amazon along with saddle soap.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on February 14, 2015 at 10:32

I use Renaissance Wax .. readily available .. a little pricey .. gotta shop a bit for any deals. I purchased 200 ml some yrs ago & still have ~ 3/4 can ........... after doing wallets, handbags, knife purses, metal knife surfaces, firearms, ... , numerous different applications. A little goes a long way.

OK price here.

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on February 14, 2015 at 11:17

I'd go with a good soaking in neatsfoot oil, John. Especially if the leather has shrunken from loss of oil.  Hard to judge timing though,  because the exterior may swell back up but the interior may still be dry.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on February 14, 2015 at 17:27

I have to agree w/ JJ & some of the others .. soak it in neatsfoot oil till saturated .. heating (the oil) during soaking will enhance penetration. Then drain / dry for a few days ............. then ............. the Renaissance Wax.

Note: Reportedly mink oil oxidizes significantly less rapidly than neatsfoot oil .. thus resulting in less embrittling than that observed when neatsfoot oil oxidizes. See references/links.

Permalink Reply by John w schmidt on February 15, 2015 at 9:19

Thanks again. Another problem is darkening the leather. Some of these preps.claim not to change the color of the leather.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on February 15, 2015 at 23:13

Good luck on not darkening the leather, John. Really.
Your stated starting point is "Dry, brittle,Kabar handle". While dry is a rather general descriptor .. brittle indicates an extreme. So dry it's no longer flexible .. at all. This requires saturation. 

I have difficulty imagining any liquid or semi liquid with which one could saturate a piece of leather and not cause a darkening in hue or color.
I should say, I've never seen a product that wks that doesn't cause some darkening of leather.

John w schmidt said:

Thanks again. Another problem is darkening the leather. Some of these preps.claim not to change the color of the leather.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on February 16, 2015 at 8:53

I agree Dale, to bring the saturation level to where it would need to be to combat brittle, it is going to change the color some.  Discolored is better than brittle though

Permalink Reply by Bruce McLain on February 17, 2015 at 12:33

I have  used neatsfoot oil,Soaking works the best.I recently redid a stacked leather handle on a Pal RH 36 that was in pretty bad shape. I had to disassemble the handle and soak the leather washers for about two days,which allow the oil to get to all surfaces. Then let dry about 1 day and then reassembled.Than left it clamped up After that for about a week would wipe off excess oil until it quit weeping.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on February 17, 2015 at 15:40

John, just a little out side the box thinking-- Are you by chance, anywhere near an Amish community??- I know there are Amish in Wisconsin, just not sure how close they are to you,  However, I do live close here in Illinois and for the absolute in leather restoration, these are the experts. My brother took an old horse collar that had been hanging in my grandfathers barn for the better part of 100 years to be restored-- The leather was, dry, cracked, and covered in mildew-- Came back looking like brand new for very little money- Amish folk know their tools, and would not do anything to damage the steel. BTW, they are an annual visit for vintage lantern or tent repair or refresh before camping---  

Permalink Reply by John w schmidt on February 17, 2015 at 16:12

Never crossed my mind ,but yes I see them once a week or so.they have a salvage grocery store a little way from me and that's where I get all my health food,(chips,Hershey Bars,Jerkey, and 50 cent bottles of Tabasco sauce. Don't know if I could leave one of my kids/// I mean knives with them though. I'll ask next time. Thanks! Look what I got today, mint acc M-4

John McCain said:

John, just a little out side the box thinking-- Are you by chance, anywhere near an Amish community??- I know there are Amish in Wisconsin, just not sure how close they are to you,  However, I do live close here in Illinois and for the absolute in leather restoration, these are the experts. My brother took an old horse collar that had been hanging in my grandfathers barn for the better part of 100 years to be restored-- The leather was, dry, cracked, and covered in mildew-- Came back looking like brand new for very little money- Amish folk know their tools, and would not do anything to damage the steel. BTW, they are an annual visit for vintage lantern or tent repair or refresh before camping---  

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