Stiff holster

ithacaartist · 07-03-2015, 12:02 PM

I have a holster that is quite stiff, and I was wondering what the best way to limber it up a little bit might be. It's pigskin, I believe, judging by the surface texture. It was likely for a P1, but I'm really not sure about that. It is too tight for a Luger, but it fits the Erma KGP 69, the latest .22 they made--which is scaled down to about 3/4 of a Luger--so I'm using it for that gun. If anyone wants a pic, I'll get a few up.

Lanolin has recently been discussed as an aid to preservation--will this work? I don't want it to become too floppy, lest it be unable to keep its shape in the toe area, but I would like it a little more "friendly"-feeling.

lugerholsterrepair · 07-03-2015, 12:45 PM

David, Yes..I would use lanolin. I work with a lot of pigskin and lanolin does seem to loosin up pigskin nicely. Pig is more pourous than calf. I think it might do the trick.

pilch303 · 07-03-2015, 08:16 PM

What sort of lanolin do you recommended? ......the lanolin that I am used to is anhydrous lanolin, comes in 20 litre pales and smells to high heaven.

ithacaartist · 07-04-2015, 10:52 AM

A good question, as I have not yet begun to source some. IIRC, lanolin impregnates wool on sheep, and has a distinctive aroma in this form. Will it stink up the holster? Gotta be a refined, non-malodorous version of it, since it's used in hand creams, etc.?

wlyon · 07-04-2015, 11:26 AM

I use KIWI Leather lotion. Which I believe is mostly lanolin. Available in most places that sells shoe polish. No odor. Bill

rhuff · 07-04-2015, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlyon

I use KIWI Leather lotion. Which I believe is mostly lanolin. Available in most places that sells shoe polish. No odor. Bill

\
I have been using this very product for many, many years on western boots and other leather goods, and can find no fault with it.

hayhugh · 07-04-2015, 03:59 PM

I have been using Bee Green USP grade Anhydrous Lanolin with no side affects. 8oz. on Ebay for cheaper then 1/2 oz. in drug store.

CAP Black · 07-04-2015, 08:55 PM

I like 100 % that is like a stiff salve and must be rubbed in. The rubbing is a good part of the exercise.
Thanks
Jack

07-03-2015, 12:02 PM	#1
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,282 Thanks: 7,007 Thanked 2,476 Times in 1,319 Posts	Stiff holster I have a holster that is quite stiff, and I was wondering what the best way to limber it up a little bit might be. It's pigskin, I believe, judging by the surface texture. It was likely for a P1, but I'm really not sure about that. It is too tight for a Luger, but it fits the Erma KGP 69, the latest .22 they made--which is scaled down to about 3/4 of a Luger--so I'm using it for that gun. If anyone wants a pic, I'll get a few up. Lanolin has recently been discussed as an aid to preservation--will this work? I don't want it to become too floppy, lest it be unable to keep its shape in the toe area, but I would like it a little more "friendly"-feeling. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

07-03-2015, 12:45 PM	#2
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,760 Thanks: 4,848 Thanked 3,099 Times in 1,426 Posts	David, Yes..I would use lanolin. I work with a lot of pigskin and lanolin does seem to loosin up pigskin nicely. Pig is more pourous than calf. I think it might do the trick. __________________ 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."

07-04-2015, 10:52 AM	#4
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,282 Thanks: 7,007 Thanked 2,476 Times in 1,319 Posts	A good question, as I have not yet begun to source some. IIRC, lanolin impregnates wool on sheep, and has a distinctive aroma in this form. Will it stink up the holster? Gotta be a refined, non-malodorous version of it, since it's used in hand creams, etc.? __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

07-04-2015, 11:26 AM	#5
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,614 Thanks: 3,140 Thanked 2,519 Times in 939 Posts	I use KIWI Leather lotion. Which I believe is mostly lanolin. Available in most places that sells shoe polish. No odor. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

07-03-2015, 08:16 PM	#3
pilch303 User Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 7 Thanks: 15 Thanked 11 Times in 1 Post	What sort of lanolin do you recommended? ......the lanolin that I am used to is anhydrous lanolin, comes in 20 litre pales and smells to high heaven.

07-04-2015, 03:59 PM	#7
hayhugh User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Florida/Penna Posts: 882 Thanks: 848 Thanked 507 Times in 270 Posts	I have been using Bee Green USP grade Anhydrous Lanolin with no side affects. 8oz. on Ebay for cheaper then 1/2 oz. in drug store.

07-04-2015, 08:55 PM	#8
CAP Black User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fairmont, WV Right here in Mountaineer country and God's country Posts: 767 Thanks: 100 Thanked 168 Times in 96 Posts	I like 100 % that is like a stiff salve and must be rubbed in. The rubbing is a good part of the exercise. Thanks Jack