What do you treat your leather holsters and belts with to keep them happy?
- Thread starter TargetTerror
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308win
Member
My IWB holster is constructed to be rigid; it retains its form and is easy to re-holster because the top doesn't collapse. I imagine I could use enough of some type of conditioner to eventually soften it but it would take a bit and that is not what it needs.
A man with a gun!
Member
I don't put anything on my holsters. Don't do anything more than treat holster scuff marks with a dab of spit and my finger.
Whether neatsfoot oil helps or harms leather totally depends on the type of leather, what you're using it for, and what adulterants may be in the neatsfoot oil.
Gunbelts and holsters need to retain their shape and maintain stiffness. Most oil treatments are designed to soften leather and would be counterproductive. Most holsters also have hard finishes that oils would have trouble penetrating.
I wipe surface crud off my holsters and belts with a cloth just slightly moistened with saddle soap, the clear kind that comes in a bar (Belvoir, for any horsefolk), not the kind that comes in a can. Scuffs and scratches can be touched up with a bit of Meltonian or Propert's boot cream on a q-tip. Those products soak in and don't rub off if you use them correctly.
Just useless knowledge picked up over 45+ years of working with horses and tack, and a several-year employment with a third-generation saddler and harnessmaker who did a lot of custom work for local police.
Gunbelts and holsters need to retain their shape and maintain stiffness. Most oil treatments are designed to soften leather and would be counterproductive. Most holsters also have hard finishes that oils would have trouble penetrating.
I wipe surface crud off my holsters and belts with a cloth just slightly moistened with saddle soap, the clear kind that comes in a bar (Belvoir, for any horsefolk), not the kind that comes in a can. Scuffs and scratches can be touched up with a bit of Meltonian or Propert's boot cream on a q-tip. Those products soak in and don't rub off if you use them correctly.
Just useless knowledge picked up over 45+ years of working with horses and tack, and a several-year employment with a third-generation saddler and harnessmaker who did a lot of custom work for local police.
TwinCarry
Member
Galco Leather Lotion
Whenever I purchase a "USED" holster, the first thing I do is clean/shine it. The Galco product works just fine. I can't tell you how much crap (dirt) I get from a used holster. The product not only cleans it but after buffing, it also gives it a nice natural shine.
I use to use shoe polish but I just don't care for the smell and it's just to messy.
Whenever I purchase a "USED" holster, the first thing I do is clean/shine it. The Galco product works just fine. I can't tell you how much crap (dirt) I get from a used holster. The product not only cleans it but after buffing, it also gives it a nice natural shine.
I use to use shoe polish but I just don't care for the smell and it's just to messy.
Big Boomer
Member
1. Put holster on belt.
2. Put gun in holster.
3. Repeat daily.
+1
loneviking
Member
There's an leather treatment/conditioner that keeps the leather from drying out and preserves it called 'ID'. You can get it at Sportsman's warehouse. It was developed by a firefighter up in Idaho who was tired of his leather boots falling apart from the Borate slurry. The stuff works really well on any type of smooth leather. Waterproofs, conditions and preserves leather.
Papaster
Member
Absolutely nothing.
gcrookston
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I use Meguires leather cleaner and conditioner.
SAWBONES
Member
Neetsfoot oil and such are bad for holsters and belts. These products soften the leather.
I'm surprised people don't know any bettter, but I forget that everyone on the internet is an expert and has an opinion!
If you own quality leather gear for gun carrying, treat it with a high quality boot polish (eg, Kiwi) now and then. or per the maker's directions (Gary Brommeland, for instance, has alternative recommendations), but fer cryin' out load, don't use Neetsfoot oil, mink oil, silicone sprays or other products which soften the leather.
I'm surprised people don't know any bettter, but I forget that everyone on the internet is an expert and has an opinion!
If you own quality leather gear for gun carrying, treat it with a high quality boot polish (eg, Kiwi) now and then. or per the maker's directions (Gary Brommeland, for instance, has alternative recommendations), but fer cryin' out load, don't use Neetsfoot oil, mink oil, silicone sprays or other products which soften the leather.
TrueBlueSam
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- Mar 21, 2008
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Clear paste wax, such as Simoniz can be used on furniture, musical instruments, firearms, and leather to shed water, dirt, etc.
Lucas_Y
Member
When making a new holster, I treat with a neutral leather balm upon completion. Other than that, my holsters don't receive any polish/oil/conditioner. Just wiped down with a soft rag once in a great while.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
I've understood the need to NOT treat holsters with any products that will soften the leather ... so I've done nothing but wipe them off occasionally with a slightly damp cloth when particularly dirty.
But is there a way to cut down on the creaking, stiff leather-on-leather sound when a holster rubs against the belt? I have a couple of belt/holster combinations that work well, but creak. Not too good for a concealment setup.
But is there a way to cut down on the creaking, stiff leather-on-leather sound when a holster rubs against the belt? I have a couple of belt/holster combinations that work well, but creak. Not too good for a concealment setup.
MAGNUM44
Member
how to treat holsters
DIAMONDBACK is right on ive been using nutural shoe polish on the outside and inside of all my holsters for years, and it keeps them looking great i was told years ago by a famous holster co to use this shoe wax and i never looked back to try anything else on the leather i figure if its not broke why fix it
DIAMONDBACK is right on ive been using nutural shoe polish on the outside and inside of all my holsters for years, and it keeps them looking great i was told years ago by a famous holster co to use this shoe wax and i never looked back to try anything else on the leather i figure if its not broke why fix it
Valkman
Member
From The Beltman:
14. How should I care for my new belt?
Do NOT wad it up in a tight ball when not in use. This unnecessarily stretches the outer layer of the belt and compresses the inner layer. If you do this often , the belt will soon lose its natural stiffness.
When putting your belt on, do NOT crank it over as if you were securing a load of cargo on a truck! We can't control how you get dressed, so if you want your belt to last a long time, don't bend a dual layer belt any more than 90 degrees when you are putting it on.
Do NOT use leather softeners such as Neats Foot Oil or Mink Oil on these belts unless you want them limp as a noodle! Our leather is of sufficient quality to last for many years. This stuff is fine for your baseball glove or your hiking boots, but not for gun belts or holsters.
If your belt gets hard use or starts to look tired, a coat of KIWI NEUTRAL shoe polish, available at any grocery store or shoe shop will restore the surface appearance.
As stated in the CONSTRUCTION Paragraph, the outer layers of these belts are submersion dyed so the color penetration is quite deep. If you manage to scar it down to the natural beige leather, then the appropriate color of shoe polish will help a lot. If you buff it with sufficient elbow grease so the polish no longer comes off on an old t-shirt or shop rag, then it won't come off on your furniture or car seats either.
I just got a Gray Elephant belt from The Beltman - this thing is beautiful - and stiff as can be!
14. How should I care for my new belt?
Do NOT wad it up in a tight ball when not in use. This unnecessarily stretches the outer layer of the belt and compresses the inner layer. If you do this often , the belt will soon lose its natural stiffness.
When putting your belt on, do NOT crank it over as if you were securing a load of cargo on a truck! We can't control how you get dressed, so if you want your belt to last a long time, don't bend a dual layer belt any more than 90 degrees when you are putting it on.
Do NOT use leather softeners such as Neats Foot Oil or Mink Oil on these belts unless you want them limp as a noodle! Our leather is of sufficient quality to last for many years. This stuff is fine for your baseball glove or your hiking boots, but not for gun belts or holsters.
If your belt gets hard use or starts to look tired, a coat of KIWI NEUTRAL shoe polish, available at any grocery store or shoe shop will restore the surface appearance.
As stated in the CONSTRUCTION Paragraph, the outer layers of these belts are submersion dyed so the color penetration is quite deep. If you manage to scar it down to the natural beige leather, then the appropriate color of shoe polish will help a lot. If you buff it with sufficient elbow grease so the polish no longer comes off on an old t-shirt or shop rag, then it won't come off on your furniture or car seats either.
I just got a Gray Elephant belt from The Beltman - this thing is beautiful - and stiff as can be!
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