ANOTHER holster care question

[lugerholsterrepair]

Danial, How do you know Connoly's has a petroleum base? I am not asking to be confrontational but seek any information you might have about it's chemical composition. It is my understanding it is composed of Lanolin, and a white spirit, what ever that may be. (petroleum?) I suspect but do not know that it has some waxes besides, perhaps bees wax or carnuaba. Please come back with any information you may have.

As for Black Rock I must say I have tried it and it has it's purpose. A client recomended it and was kind enough to send me a generous sample. It is not one of my favorites as it stinks and has a waxy buildup on old leather. I would suspect I would prefer it on slick surfaces but even then it is not user friendly as it will not dry properly to wipe with a cotton cloth.

I have used Lexol on certain leather pieces and it is OK. I still prefer Connoly's. As you so aptly stated time will tell. I have stated here as well as elswhere that I have done no long term tests on any of the products I talk about here and any or all of them may very well turn your holsters into mush in the very near future. I am no chemist and only work off of experience, observing how certain products react to the leather when I work on it.

I have talked with very knowledgable people who have studied this subject and are chemists and Neatsfoot oil was developed and used to break down leather fibers and repell water.
Specifically to break in and protect shoe soles. Since shoe soles need to be flexible and wear out in short order, Neatsfoot oil was the chemical for the job.

Now, I think using Neatsfoot oil on an artifact like a Luger holster is a recipe for destruction.
There is the argument that using nothing on leather is the way to preserve it and maybe they are right, but I can guarentee you this...I will never put money into a holster that has been treated with the stuff. You can squeeze the oil out of the leather after it is applied and if it sits awhile it impregnates the leather with a dark mass of oily stink. Then the holster is really flexible alright, like an oily rag.It will not take a shine as the oil repells any other substance applied like an oil slick.

Please! I emplore all the members, what ever you choose to put on your holster, from nothing to Connoly's, DO Not, under any circumstances pollute your fine historical artifact with Neatsfoot Oil.

Wes, I would think it beads water because of the waxes employed in it's composition or perhaps to some extent the Lanolin. Since Connoly's is a propriatary mix that is unknown to anyone but Connoly's other than what they voluntarily list as ingredients it is unknown exactly what all is in it. I suspect if the White Spirits they do list is in truth a petroleum product it evaporates quickly and is less harmful than we think. The Lanolin remains to do the job we ask.

I am a student of this craft and do not mean to belittle or antagonize but to protect and learn. Many thanks for all your comments. Jerry Burney