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leather preservation

Cornflk1
I have a couple War between the States bayonets complete with scabbards and leather frogs as well as other antique items. Also various other leather things, WW1 flying goggles etc.

Have always tried to limit cleaning, but the leather is drying out. My question should I apply some high quality leather preservative ? I've tried to apply the logic that coin collectors use of never cleaning coins, but I'm not sure about leather.
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Comments

12 comments

Date Votes
  • SCOUT5
    Mink oil is what I use as well.
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  • charliemeyer007
    I like Mink Oil paste, but it will soften leather - sometimes that is good and sometimes not so good.

    Ballastol might be a good choice too.

    IMHO you need to do something or the stuff will crumble away - not a lot collector value in dust.
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  • He Dog
    Pecards has several products for leather care. They are my go-to except for saddle soap.
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  • Cornflk1
    He Dog wrote:
    Pecards has several products for leather care. They are my go-to except for saddle soap.
    I do have Pecards , just wasn't sure it would be the 'right thing' to do. I have these items stored in my gun safe, the Golden Rod may not be the best option either :?:
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  • yonson
    Lexol is a high quality product that has been around for many decades - classic car buffs use it.
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  • He Dog
    Cornflk1 wrote:
    He Dog wrote:
    Pecards has several products for leather care. They are my go-to except for saddle soap.
    I do have Pecards , just wasn't sure it would be the 'right thing' to do. I have these items stored in my gun safe, the Golden Rod may not be the best option either :?:

    They have a waxy paste for restoring old leather. Also the Pecards cream is good with several applications over a few days. Leather does not appreciate heat, but a golden rod is pretty mild. Leather also does not like mold, so avoiding high humidity is probably a decent trade off. I have a pair of mocs that molded here in the desert. Gotta fix that.
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  • kimi
    Cornflk1 wrote:
    I have a couple War between the States bayonets complete with scabbards and leather frogs as well as other antique items. Also various other leather things, WW1 flying goggles etc.

    Have always tried to limit cleaning, but the leather is drying out. My question should I apply some high quality leather preservative ? I've tried to apply the logic that coin collectors use of never cleaning coins, but I'm not sure about leather.

    I just don't know what's best for a leather piece that is dried out (dry rot). I have a sling that apparently came with a 79 year old Winchester Model 75...and it retains the new light color it should be, but it's dry and has slight cracking where it bends at the lower sling swivel. I have cleaned it with saddle soap once, but I really do not think it helped, so I just try to keep it in the right temp and humidity range. I was told long ago by some old Marine team shooters that once dry rot has set in that there is nothing that can be done to stop it. So, I just consider myself as it's caretaker, and keep it off the rifle, but in it's folded position. Someday it will break apart at the bend, but it will last a very long time in a very nice broken condition.
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  • bustedknee
    Bear fat.

    That was probably what was put on it 150 years ago.
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  • Sam06
    British Museum leather dressing

    Here is the formula:
    200 g anhydrous lanolin
    30 ml cedar oil (acts as a fungicide)
    15 g beeswax (optional)
    330 ml X-4 solvent or hexane (solvent)

    The first three ingredients are mixed warm, then added to the cold solvent and allowed to cool while constantly stirring
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  • kimi
    Sam06 wrote:
    British Museum leather dressing

    Here is the formula:
    200 g anhydrous lanolin
    30 ml cedar oil (acts as a fungicide)
    15 g beeswax (optional)
    330 ml X-4 solvent or hexane (solvent)

    The first three ingredients are mixed warm, then added to the cold solvent and allowed to cool while constantly stirring

    Thanks for the info, Sam. This is something I intend to check into!
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  • us55840
    The best product I've found/used on leather ... mostly motorcycle leather gloves/jacket/chaps that are exposed to all types of weather is Doc Baily's leather care. Come in black, brown and neutral. Cleans, softens and preserves.

    https://www.buydocbaileys.com/

    Also available at fine leather stores, Amazon, Ebay, etc.
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  • Mr. Perfect
    If you're not using Obanaufs, you're using a lesser product.
    https://www.obenaufs.com/
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