saving "Dead" leather??

DavidJayUden · 02-20-2009, 07:30 PM

I picked up a 1937 holster that has several spots of what I best describe as being "dead", in that they are brittle, and would probably break before they would bend. Mostly straps and also the tool pouch. May have been exposed to heat but that's just a guess. I've used leather products such as Hide Rejuvinator and Neatsfoot Oil to no avail. One brittle strap is currently soaking in neadsfoot oil and shows no signs of coming back to life.
Anyone use heat or boiling water or oil to try to restore some flexability to leather?
I know I sound like a real hack but this baby requires drastic steps.
Some leather guys have told me that once it gets that bad there's no saving it.
Wisdom and experience are appreciated.
DJU

lugerholsterrepair · 02-20-2009, 08:05 PM

David, As your own experience suggests... your task is not an easy one.
I have found that what seems like burned leather is actually leather that has been soaked in gun oil. It often looks blackened and is very brittle. Heat is not likely the culprit here.

I have had little to no real success with rejuvinating this type of damage. This is not the type of thing a Saddler would do..he would replace the offending parts. This is leather blasphemy to some but really..there is little choice.

One example is this..have you ever tried to uncook a hamburger?

Jerry Burney

DavidJayUden · 02-20-2009, 08:51 PM

Thanks Jerry, I know that you are "the man" in these matters. I have nothing to lose so will continue to doodle with the offending straps, and may eventually dump it off on you to just replace them. But on other than the really bad parts I'll follow the hypocratic oath: First of all do no harm.
DJU

02-20-2009, 07:30 PM	#1
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	saving "Dead" leather?? I picked up a 1937 holster that has several spots of what I best describe as being "dead", in that they are brittle, and would probably break before they would bend. Mostly straps and also the tool pouch. May have been exposed to heat but that's just a guess. I've used leather products such as Hide Rejuvinator and Neatsfoot Oil to no avail. One brittle strap is currently soaking in neadsfoot oil and shows no signs of coming back to life. Anyone use heat or boiling water or oil to try to restore some flexability to leather? I know I sound like a real hack but this baby requires drastic steps. Some leather guys have told me that once it gets that bad there's no saving it. Wisdom and experience are appreciated. DJU

02-20-2009, 08:05 PM	#2
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,775 Thanks: 4,995 Thanked 3,133 Times in 1,439 Posts	David, As your own experience suggests... your task is not an easy one. I have found that what seems like burned leather is actually leather that has been soaked in gun oil. It often looks blackened and is very brittle. Heat is not likely the culprit here. I have had little to no real success with rejuvinating this type of damage. This is not the type of thing a Saddler would do..he would replace the offending parts. This is leather blasphemy to some but really..there is little choice. One example is this..have you ever tried to uncook a hamburger? Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

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02-20-2009, 08:51 PM	#3
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Thanks Jerry, I know that you are "the man" in these matters. I have nothing to lose so will continue to doodle with the offending straps, and may eventually dump it off on you to just replace them. But on other than the really bad parts I'll follow the hypocratic oath: First of all do no harm. DJU