Are there ways to 'soften up' leather on a repo holster?

markbritt · 03-15-2010, 01:29 PM

I have a question for the leather experts out there. I picked up a repo leather Luger and P38 holster (like you see on ebay) for about 30.00 a piece. The holsters are stitched nicely and fit well, but are stiff as a board. I was wondering if there was a process to soften up the leather? I have a 1944 P38 holster and it is soft and supple. I would like to do that to these repo's. Any ideas would be sincerely appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark

lugerholsterrepair · 03-15-2010, 01:54 PM

Mark, You might try Neatsfoot Oil. It was developed to soften up stiff new leather soles on shoes. Normally I would not recommend it on a vintage holster as it would soften up the hardshell. But since thats whats needed...

This is the best I can come up with untill you find a leather expert.

If you do this, let me know what happens.

Jerry Burney

Vlim · 03-15-2010, 01:59 PM

Quote:

untill you find a leather expert

It will be hard to find one with more experience and know how on holsters than Jerry!!

FNorm · 03-17-2010, 04:41 PM

I swear by some stuff called Fiebings "Care - 4". It has lanolin, bees wax, neatsfoot oil, and saddle soap in it. I use it on everything. Furniture, clothing, car seats, etc.

DO NOT use a silicone based saddle oil. It will ruin the hard shell

FN

Norme · 03-17-2010, 05:28 PM

Hi Mark, When I was a lad, growing up in England, we used to use a product called Dubbin, to soften and waterproof our all leather soccer boots. This stuff is still available on the internet. Regards, Norm

03-15-2010, 01:29 PM	#1
markbritt User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 240 Thanks: 5 Thanked 48 Times in 22 Posts	Are there ways to 'soften up' leather on a repo holster? I have a question for the leather experts out there. I picked up a repo leather Luger and P38 holster (like you see on ebay) for about 30.00 a piece. The holsters are stitched nicely and fit well, but are stiff as a board. I was wondering if there was a process to soften up the leather? I have a 1944 P38 holster and it is soft and supple. I would like to do that to these repo's. Any ideas would be sincerely appreciated. Thanks, Mark

03-15-2010, 01:54 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	Mark, You might try Neatsfoot Oil. It was developed to soften up stiff new leather soles on shoes. Normally I would not recommend it on a vintage holster as it would soften up the hardshell. But since thats whats needed... This is the best I can come up with untill you find a leather expert. If you do this, let me know what happens. 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."

03-17-2010, 04:41 PM	#4
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	I swear by some stuff called Fiebings "Care - 4". It has lanolin, bees wax, neatsfoot oil, and saddle soap in it. I use it on everything. Furniture, clothing, car seats, etc. DO NOT use a silicone based saddle oil. It will ruin the hard shell FN Last edited by FNorm; 03-17-2010 at 04:41 PM. Reason: ap

03-17-2010, 05:28 PM	#5
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,607 Times in 933 Posts	Hi Mark, When I was a lad, growing up in England, we used to use a product called Dubbin, to soften and waterproof our all leather soccer boots. This stuff is still available on the internet. Regards, Norm