Fixed blade leather handle question

[gino]

What is the best leather handle treatment for fixed blades?

[tongueriver]

I don't know the answer, but I know that oils will swell, soften and weaken the leather. So I am expecting that waxes and silicones would be better choices.

[gino]

I was thinking of using leather protectantfor shoes and coats?

[orvet]

Is the leather dried out Gino, or you just trying to preserve them?

[gino]

Dale, its starting to wear a tiny bit and I want to prevent it in the future from getting worse.

[orvet]

I would contract a local leather store like Tandy or a local shoe repairman & see what they recommend.
Most of the stuff I use is for restoring worn & dry leather.
A neutral paste shoe polish might work well to protect it and keep the oil & moisture in the leather.

[smokepole]

Gino, you could also use CA (super glue) - it will soak right into the top layer of the leather and you can then sand it smooth and as shiny as you want - normally 220, 400, 800 and 1000 grit in following order is enough to get it real shiny. It also makes for quite a hard wearing surface that is easy to touch up if and when needed - sand back to 400 grit, wipe clean, add CA and sand through to 1000 grit again. It is not fully water proof but it will last a good while.

[gino]

I can just see myself using super glue now, I promise it would be bad, LOL

I apreciate the advice Ithink I might go more the way Dale said and try to get some leather preserver. I just thought maybe someone had something they used that was easy to apply and worked well.
Thanks guys

[jerryd6818]

Gino, I think I'd stay away from Neatsfoot Oil if it were me. I hear tell it tends to make leather "mushy" with extended use. Saddle Soap does a nice job of cleaning leather and adding some moisture. If the leather seems to be in good condition, I think I'd use some Renaissance Wax or clear Briwax (Google it. Comes in a green & white can.).

[orvet]

Gino, I think I'd stay away from Neatsfoot Oil if it were me. I hear tell it tends to make leather "mushy" with extended use.

I agree, Neatsfoot oil will soften the leather. Now if the leather handle is dried out, then I would use Neatsfoot oil, but not on a handle that I am just trying to preserve.


There is one product I use to restore and clean leather that would probably work nicely; it is called Leather Therapy. It says it is a restorer and conditioner, but I think there are cheaper products on the market that will work just as well for your purpose.

Here is a link to Leather Therapy at a better price than I paid for the bottle I have: http://www.doversaddlery.com/LeatherThe ... 000X1-3121

[orvet]

This product might work well to protect the leather on your knife handle.
It is called Leather Therapy Finish. Still pretty expensive when you add the shipping.

http://www.kyhorse.com/store/leathercar ... finish.htm

[Elvis]

My work boots always got good old Kiwi and after a while it would waterproof them as well as allow for a quick shine. My snazzy Cowboy boots have always gotten Ren Wax and have softened up some, but still look like new. I use it on leather handles, knife sheaths and holsters too. The leather seems to soak it up.

[Old Hunter]

Check out Pecard's wax. An old friend of mine owned a world class military rifle collection - he used Pecard wax on all the ancient leather slings, check-pieces, etc., that went with his rifles. I use it on my leather today, but mine is not antique. He was emphatically opposed to Mink Oil products - said it would ruin leather instead of preserving it. OH