Holster Treatment Products

[Went Blakely]

Hi all, thought i'd post this here as there's such a vast array of knowledge floating about, hopefully someone can help. Big fan of the US gear myself, never treated any however. Never really had to i suppose. I've just acquired one of the rarer makes, and it's in great condition, but is starting to surface crack down the usual right side and top of flap. Very stiffish and i would say 'flakey' there. What can i use on it to stop or at least prolong it? I'm positive, it is getting bigger and bigger by the day, maybe i am just noticing it more Anyhoo, whats a good product that won't soak the crap out of it, but will work well? Any insight appreciated

[lugerholsterrepair]

Went, Connolly's hide care is my choice.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Conno...spagenameZWDVW

Jerry Burney

[Went Blakely]

Thanks Jerry exactly what i was after! Should i coat the whole holster in it, or just the affected areas?

[lugerholsterrepair]

Went, I usually lightly coat everything, a little more on the affected areas. Wait for an hour or so then wipe down with a terry cloth towell. Let me know how you like it.
Jerry Burney

[Ron Wood]

The link that Jerry posted has a good write-up on Connolly's. It has a notice in it that I did not know about...do not store it in the garage where it will get too hot! I left my container in my garage and it separated into a clear yellow liquid and a white paste. Fortunately I have another jar to use and I am going to try to recombine the separated one with a whisk chucked up in my electric drill. Hopefully it will whip back together or I may end up with it spattered all over the garage.

[Ron Smith]

Ron,

Keep the canister up-side down, and shake the crap out of it before you use it. Mine separated keeping it in the house.

Ron

[lugerholsterrepair]

Gentlemen, I actually use this seperation to my advantage. BUT there is a warning here. The clear liquid that seperates is, I believe, mineral spirits used to thin the cream and is perhaps an evaporative agent.. DO NOT dip a brush into the mineral spirits and apply it to light colored leather! It will stain it. Always make sure the substance is mixed.
Now, I pour off the mineral spirits when it seperates. I find I do not need a thin cream and am just as well off without this thinner.
If I do mix it I find that some vigerous shaking of the plastic jar will turn it into a cream again.
Jerry Burney

[Rod WMG]

Ron, garages get hot in this part of the country?

[Went Blakely]

Thanks for the info everyone, got a jar on order. Heard along the grapevine, that Peccards is also not too shabby, anyone tried it?

[Tim Reynolds]

I would not do anything to it.The consevation of leather is best left to a museum conservator.The best leather care product of today are tomorrows should have never been used.It can stain,darken,increase damage.Check out some of the dagger web sites,they deal with leather.

[Ron Wood]

Museum conservators use Connolly's and Peccards, and of the two Connolly's is vastly superior. Peccards is a waterproofing compound containing hydrocarbons (good for field boots but not all that good for preservation). A lot of the older holsters you see with a white coating is the result of a too heavy application of Peccards that eventually oxidizes and looks really lousy.

[Went Blakely]

Ron, appreciate the insight Sir, from what i have researched over the past couple of days, Connolly's sure seems to be THE stuff to use.
Tim, i just cannot bring myself to leave it, even for now, and preservation and care is all part of the fun/hobby of collecting, in which i believe one should undertake themselves. To be honest, normally, i would. I am only just getting into Luger gear, and out of all the US Militaria and German HJ Knives i've acquired over time, i have treated, not one of them! I have just.....never had to i suppose. But this is just crying out for it, and in my eyes, can only get worse, without treatment pronto. By the way, i changed the thread title, as to not appear so 'unluger', on a luger forum

[Went Blakely]

Well it was a shambles with two mixups, but 14 days after ordering, i have finally received my connolys! About to use just now, however a few more questions. Do any of you help the drying time with say, a bit of outdoor time? I'm not talking direct sunlight, but just out in the air, with the help of a mild zephyr? Also terry cloths' the only thing to consider applying with? Do i try to keep away from the directly stitched areas, or do i just go all over? Insight appreciated By the way, it absolutely reeeeks of the mineral spirits spoken here......very VERY much.

[Went Blakely]

Anyone?

[Navy]

Went,

I apply it with my hands, use body temp to increase the absorption rate, do not consciously avoid stitches and let it sit until a nice uniform matte appearance shows. Then I buff with an old t-shirt.

Like a Huey helicopter, works real good, don't cost too much and lasts a long time.

Tom A.

[lugerholsterrepair]

As I have said, I pour off the mineral spirits if it accumulates. Shake the jar vigerously untill it is a smooth creamy consistancy.

I use a toothbrush for application. Works really well. Just get a bit on and work the brush over the area you want to treat.

As Tom says heat will allow the cream to absorb more quickly. I just let the piece sit in a warm room for an hour or so or untill you can see most of the whitish cream is gone.

I then use a terry cloth towell to wipe off the excess lanolin left on the surface and polish the leather. Terrycloth picks up the residue better than plain cloth.

One problem with Peccard's that I have observed on many holsters that come thru my shop is that it pools under straps, buckles & other parts that are layered. It 's sticky gooey petroleum jelly and I hate the stuff. I am sure it has it's applications but Connolly's is a much better product.

Jerry Burney

[Went Blakely]

Cheers blokes, i havnt had a chance to try it out yet, been very busy, but will get stuck into it over the weekend. Do you find that it leaves your gear smelling really turpentine-ish, taking away the rich leather smell? The spirits smell it has is quite overwhelming.

[lugerholsterrepair]

Went, You kept mentioning the spirits smell so I opened a new jar and stuck my nose in. I can see..smell what you mean! No..Don't worry about it. After application that will evaporate and disapear completely. Only the pleasant leather smell of lanolin will remain.

Remember, if there is any seperation and some spirits are liquid..do not stick your brush in this stuff and put it on your holster! It will cause a stain.

Warm, then shake the jar. make the contents creamy & mixed well. Then it's really easy to use.

Good Luck!

Jerry Burney

[Went Blakely]

No worries Jerry, it's pretty well mixed at the moment, i just didnt expect such a potent smell to it when i opened it the first time, hehe. Going to give it a whirl tomorrow, wish me luck

[DavidJayUden]

Connolly's Leather Care Cleaner or Conditioner?