The Incognito Bandito Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Having just purchased my first REAL cowboy belt and holsters, what's the best way to care for them? First and foremost is how to make sure the dye doesn't bleed out all over me, my clothes, etc...? And of course second is what is the best oil to use? (Ballistol?) or something else? How often and how much? Gregg C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655 Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 prolly end up with one less opinion than number of folks who are members of the forum. Some will swear balistol is the be all and end all. Some will go with Extra Virgin olive oil, or neets foot oil. On saddles and tack, my horsey uncle used cut neets foot oil. Think he cut it with water but can't really remember and he has been dead for 20 years or so. Some swear by saddle soap. One thing is pretty near certain, if your rig is dyed black there is a better than even chance the die will rub off to some degree. The good news is most of it will wash out. At least it did from my brand new 1884 canvas officers uniform. Next time new black leather will be worn on old levis for a while Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Regret, SASS #57800 Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 General conditions, Lexol. Rainy/humid conditions Montana Pitch Blend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskey James SASS 85199 Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Pecard. I've got leather going on 12 years that's been used in all conditions that I've treated with nothing but pecard. Works great. Whiskey James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adirondack Jack, SASS #53440 Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 More leather has been ruined by "care" than any other issue. I take mine off and put it on a shelf in my shop, period. If it gets a little "dusty" (ashes really) from the wood-fired stove I use for heat in winter, I wipe it off with a paper towel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowhand Bob, 24229 Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 I will Take AJs statement just a tad further, more leather has been ruined by 'to much care' than any thing else. No matter what you choose, use it extremely sparingly. If your hands feel oily when you are through, then you are over doing it for general care. You should just be able to just see a slight sheen on the leather, under good lighting, for it to be right. You do not do this every night, monthly will be more than plenty if there are no extenuating circumstances. It is a lot harder to get it out than it is to put it in! There are several or more good oils out there and even the old stand by that never gets mentioned by the self proclaimed experts, neatsfoot oil, is still a good one but you asked for the best. Up until about ten or twelve years ago the guys who took care of leather in the museums actually most often used neatsfoot oil, but then, it started to change. The newer formulas started being touted by these real experts as the way to go. Do remember that your needs may vary slightly from some of the needs of a museum though. Do not ever remember seeing Olive oil recommended in any of those links but, just like neatsfoot oil, it has its supporters and detractors. There is leather that has stood the test of time, in those museums that used both neatsfoot and olive oil as early preservers. Ballistol is not recommended by any leather pro that I am aware of but there is a tiny bit that I will add. Around ten years ago I started using it on all of my personal leather and still do. Since I was buying neatsfoot oil in five gallon containers back then, I did not swap to it out of need, but rather as an experiment. So far I can see no difference between it and the other oils. My only real advantage with it is I can use the same rag I wipe my wood stocks and etc with can then be used for a quick swipe of the holsters occasionally. If my leather deteriorated tomorrow and I blamed it on Ballistol, I can make me some more but unless it is that easy for you, then I am not ready to recommend Ballistol! I hope the following links are still helpful and existent, I have not checked them in several years. http://cool.conservation-us.org/byorg/abbey/an/an07/an07-2/an07-205.html http://www.nationalww2museum.org/exhibitions/preservation-of-artifacts.html http://www.garciaaviation.com/conserve.html http://cool.conservation-us.org/byorg/abbey/an/an05/an05-2/an05-206.html I am sure that you can find past threads on the Leather Forum at CAS City and these guys would probably be real happy to give their opinions on what to use. This is, after all, what most of them do BUT in the end you will get to choose because no two always think alike! http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/board,57.0.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Incognito Bandito Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 Thanks to everyone for your advice! And my belt n holsters are a nice mahogany color...very pretty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Roosevelt Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Sparingly, but completely as needed I use 100 percent vegetable oil on all saddles, tack, any other leather that needs care. And i only do it when the leather begins to look like it is drying out. Lightly is the other thing to remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowhand Bob, 24229 Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Sounds great, can you do some pictures? We always like to hear the makers name, when he has done a good job, and he just might appreciate the heads up also. Good luck with your new purchase and have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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