Leeching Leather

[sergemaster]

Amici,
Back in January, I picked up a custom leather sheath for my Leatherman Charge TTI in a left hand carry.

When the sheath arrived it was a perfect fit, but the color was a tad light for me so I used all the tricks that I had learned over the years for darkening leather.  I rubbed in some olive oil, and some dark stain over the course of a few days and the result was I finally achieved the color I had wanted..

Now the bad news, I have not been able to use the sheath because it continues to "leech" oil and I fear it will ruin any paints or most belts that come in contact with it.

For example, although it feels dry, whenever I place it on a white napkin it leaves a stain. I have tried heating it, leaving in the sun, and even after all these months, it still continues to leech oil.

Here are two pics illustrating what I am explaining.. This stain occured after about 20 minutes of being lain out on a white napkin and you can see the stain that it left.

Any ideas out there on how to stop this occurance or this is going to continue like a stigmata with no end in sight?

Cheers,
Serge

[AimlessWanderer]

I'd suggest that if it wants to leak oil out like that - let it. Try packing inside and wrapping it on the outside either with tissue or a good wicking cloth ... then warming it to help the juices flow. Change the "dressings" as required and repeat. It's not going to "air dry" as the oils won't evaporate or cure harden, they need to be drawn out and wicked away instead. When if finally settles down, it might be worth waxing the leather to put more of a skin over the pores of the leather to stop any residual oils seeping out over time just to be safe.

I can't think of any chemical accelerant which would attack the oils without harming the leather, so just soaking up the surplus and sealing in the remainder seems favourite to me