How do you care for your holsters?

[.cheese.]

I don't think it's necessary to order Galco cream or whatever it is. What do you use though to clean and condition your holster?

Or is it not necessary?

 

[slow944]

Saddle soap if they're leather. If nylon then I remove the belt clip and throw in the wash.

 

[jwr_747]

most makers these days have a list of "do's and don'ts" just do as they suggest. jwr

 

[Big Calhoun]

'The cream' actually isn't too bad, just stay away from the clear...

I know, bad joke...it's Friday

Seriously though, I've been using the Galco cream for the past year or so on two holsters and I still have half a bottle left, at least; clean them every other month or so. Saddle soap is also good for most leather products.

 

[Lucas_Y]

I use saddle soap and boot creme on my leather holsters. Works like a charm.

 

[sm]

Stiff brush to remove dirt
Hang dry to let sweat dry.

Hang out longer if they go swimming, or are attacked by water hose...

 

[OBXMIKE]

Most makers that I've had conversation with (Mernickle, Rosen, Sparks etc)say to NOT use saddle soap and boot cream, especially if it is a nice, hand boned job. Saddle soap, neatsfoot oil and the like all work to soften the leather, and that is a sure way to ruin a good holster. You want the leather stiff so it holds its shape, and more important, its retention ability. This is especially noticeable on concealment holsters........they will start to "flop" out on you if they lose that stiffness and won't snug up as tight against your body. I ruined a nice Mitch Rosen rig when I first started carrying using saddle soap on it. Now, it's just a wipe down with a cloth slightly dampened with water, then immediately wiped dry.
My nylon ones just get thrown away if they get too dirty. They're only a few bucks to replace, and I can average about three or four years use in the field before I toss 'em.
YMMV.

 

[Richard]

I follow the advice of Uncle Lou Alessi and Mitch Rosen. I use Lexol Cleaner and then Lexol Leather Conditioner; after this, I use a clear shoe paste. Regards, Richard

 

[dfariswheel]

On my holsters I recommended a coat of neutral shoe wax ONLY.

As above, most leather treatments will soften the leather and will take years off the service life of a good holster.
A modern holster should be as hard as plastic.
Saddle soap, Neatsfoot oil, "mink" oil and most leather conditioners are great on a saddle or a pair of boots.....NOT on a holster.

 

[Richard]

dfariswheel, I am sure of Lexol Leather Conditioner does "...soften the leather" Lou Alessi would not recommend it. Regards, Richard

 

[tegemu]

I'd advise that you contact your maker and ask them.

 

[kmrcstintn]

I don't on body carry much, but here's my 2 cents worth...

Uncle Mike's Sidekick in-pocket neoprene CCW holster; use a cheap paint brush that I use for light 'dusting duty' and brush off lint from outside, turn inside out and repeat for inside

I usually buy used holsters for my revolvers when going into the woods; I usually get a good quality used leather holster that has seen some use and I don't have to worry about preventing wear and tear...for these I simply use a silicone waterproofing spray and treat the holsters several times; the silicone will penetrate the leather and softens and protects the leather like the oils that were used when it was new

 

[Bentonville]

I have spoken with a lot of collectors of antique leather holsters and WW1-WW2 holsters and leather accessories about this . Just about every one has said to avoid neetsfoot oil, saddle soaps, and other preparations. They eventually leads to drying out of the leather and break down the cellular structure. Don't ask me how, I am just repeating what I've been told. Pecards Leather Conditioner http://www.pecard.com/store.php/ has been the unanimous choice of the collectors I know. I use it on my M1 slings, .45 holsters, m1 bayonet handles and USMC Kabar fighting knives leather handles. I use it on my modern holsters and leather goods as well. I never put anything inside that will contact my guns. My sons even use it on their kangaroo leather soccer shoes. You can do a search to find it. I can vouch that does not change the color like the other products do. Most products darken leather quite a bit but the Pecards, if any, will darken just the slightest bit. Of course, your experience may differ so as usual, YMMV.

 

[AK103K]

Rinse it out under the tap and dry it off with a couple of paper towels.

 

[koja48]

stay away from the clear...

Wish you would have told me that sooner . . . my MOB rig for a Taurus PT111 now fits a scoped Contender . . .

 

[Car Knocker]

From the Milt Sparks site:

What can I do to maintain the appearance of my new leather?
Nothing much needs to be done other than an occasional waxing to help maintain appearance. That applies to items with the smooth-out finish only! Rough out finishes such as on our SS-2 and Summer Special holsters, should be left as is except for maybe an occasional wipe down with a damp cloth.

Do not use silicone, oil, or any leather conditioning product that advertises itself as an aid to help soften leather.

Angelus has a product we use called Lustre Cream and it is available in both cordovan and black. Fiebings, Carnauba wax is also a good protectorate for smooth leather, but will oxidize on the leather surface if not used or buffed occasionally.

One product we recommend wholeheartedly is Renaissance Wax. Renaissance can be purchased direct from the above link, or you can purchase it directly through us. It is the only product we have found that will not permanently discolor our tan colored finish and it works great on black and cordovan finishes as well! You can even use it on metal and wood. We generally stock the small, 65ml tin for resale, as we found that a little bit goes a long way.

http://www.miltsparks.com/

 

[biggiesmalls]

i know a lot of people who don't do jack when it comes to holster care. i'm one of them and my galcos and bianchis have lasted a long time. am i just lucky?

 

[JohnBT]

I don't do anything other than let them dry out.

And I own tins of both neutral shoe polish and Renaissance Wax.

Also have Lexol cleaner & conditioner and Meguiars leather cleaner, but they're for the cars' seats. Somebody gave me ArmorAll leather wipes, but they'll never touch any leather I own - too much silicone. Any is too much.

John

 

[AK103K]

I don't do anything other than let them dry out.

This is why I quit leather and went to kydex. The leather wont dry out over night, or even a couple of days, and I sweat like a pig, so my gun was always rusting. Kydex eliminated all the worries and is a lot easier on me too. Its also very easy to care for and doesnt seem to wear the gun as bad.

 

[tecrsq]

http://obenaufs.com/

Great stuff and doesnt harm the leather like some of the big name cleaners and conditioners does.

 

[JohnBT]

I'd never heard of it, so I did a little looking. Appears to be made from bees wax and propolis (a natural resin created by bees, used in the construction of hives. Propolis is produced from the buds of conifer and poplar)

Might work well on a holster. I'll have to ask around.

John

 

[Frandy]

The "care" box:

Seriously, I agree that you want to avoid all those cleaners and conditioners that soften the leather. When I do use something, it'a Renaissance wax.

One source (there are many): http://www.restorationproduct.com/