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11-26-2001, 12:36 AM

Read the Dirksen article for a brief overview of why the treatments you suggest will not arrest dry rot. Museums are able, now (though this was figured out only in recent years), to protect leather and keep it in good shape for far more than 100 years. If you put the treatments discussed on your leather, they stand a much increased chance of NOT surviving 100 years. Look for the proper care instructions by Dirksen, the conservators' society, and on the web site. As it states on Pecard's site, this stuff is for leather that is NOT or can not be properly cared for. As for boots, belts and other stuff you plan to use--treat it anyway you want but if it is a valuable collectible, you probably don't use it and to preserve it follow the care instructions described. Goos will deteriorate, darken and otherwise harm the leather. I have not seen a piece of collectible leather helped by these treatments and neither has anyone else. 25 years of personal experience must be compared with not treating the leather and examining the result.

It is not "to each his own". It either holds up to research evidence or does not. It IS "do what you want its your property".

There is no evidence that any goo will help your holsters better than proper care; there IS evidence that goo will harm your holsters.

I am not trying to criticize or opinionize. I simply got fed up this weekend when a one of a kind rarity was ireversibly treated with goo. It was definitely damaged.

The conservator's rule is "don't do anything that is not reversible". You can do what you like but at least do so with your eyes open. You may not see "much" damage from gooing your holsters--it might even look pretty; but don't be a gunshow bubba and claim the Smithsonian recommends it or tell people to do things you don't understand and may harm their collections.

First thing I ask when I am offered a holster of sling is has it been greased or treated. If it has it is usually oily, sticky, dark and soft. None of that is good. The value is a fraction of a dry, stiff, light, scuffed but original condition piece. Like original finish on a luger. Refinished is pretty but the value is modest and a future collector wants to know what the original finish was like, however little remains, not an "improved" finish.

My remarks are purely for education but the evidence has been mounting for a decade and is strong--goos are damaging; learn proper leather care.

11-26-2001, 12:36 AM	#5
mlm Guest Posts: n/a	Re: holster and leather protection Read the Dirksen article for a brief overview of why the treatments you suggest will not arrest dry rot. Museums are able, now (though this was figured out only in recent years), to protect leather and keep it in good shape for far more than 100 years. If you put the treatments discussed on your leather, they stand a much increased chance of NOT surviving 100 years. Look for the proper care instructions by Dirksen, the conservators' society, and on the web site. As it states on Pecard's site, this stuff is for leather that is NOT or can not be properly cared for. As for boots, belts and other stuff you plan to use--treat it anyway you want but if it is a valuable collectible, you probably don't use it and to preserve it follow the care instructions described. Goos will deteriorate, darken and otherwise harm the leather. I have not seen a piece of collectible leather helped by these treatments and neither has anyone else. 25 years of personal experience must be compared with not treating the leather and examining the result. It is not "to each his own". It either holds up to research evidence or does not. It IS "do what you want its your property". There is no evidence that any goo will help your holsters better than proper care; there IS evidence that goo will harm your holsters. I am not trying to criticize or opinionize. I simply got fed up this weekend when a one of a kind rarity was ireversibly treated with goo. It was definitely damaged. The conservator's rule is "don't do anything that is not reversible". You can do what you like but at least do so with your eyes open. You may not see "much" damage from gooing your holsters--it might even look pretty; but don't be a gunshow bubba and claim the Smithsonian recommends it or tell people to do things you don't understand and may harm their collections. First thing I ask when I am offered a holster of sling is has it been greased or treated. If it has it is usually oily, sticky, dark and soft. None of that is good. The value is a fraction of a dry, stiff, light, scuffed but original condition piece. Like original finish on a luger. Refinished is pretty but the value is modest and a future collector wants to know what the original finish was like, however little remains, not an "improved" finish. My remarks are purely for education but the evidence has been mounting for a decade and is strong--goos are damaging; learn proper leather care.