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Tool Talk => Leatherman Tools => Topic started by: ThundahBeagle on January 24, 2018, 08:00:57 AM

Title: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: ThundahBeagle on January 24, 2018, 08:00:57 AM: When I started here, I had a PSTII that I was keeping in an original Wave style Brown sheath. Yes, it's a little loose in there, but hey...

Now, among other goodies, I have two original Leatherman Tools, a Rebar, and a couple more PSTII's. All but one of these has come with an original leather sheath. All told, I have five Leatherman leather sheaths. Three are from "the good old days." All are in good shape, although on one, I've noticed a bit of dry cracking just starting to develop.

I've used plenty of leather conditioner on my own boots, my GF' s Frye boots that I get her, and even my "bad mo fo" wallet.

Has anyone ever used a leather conditioner on any Leatherman original leather sheath before, and how'd it turn out?
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: pietervn on January 24, 2018, 09:59:43 AM: G'Day,

I'm a sucker for the old sheaths too.

I use a UK product Renapur Leather Balsam with great success. Unfortunately cracked leather cannot be "fixed". The conditioner should stop the deterioration and keep the leather soft and prevent further cracking. I have a PST sheath that has been "rescued" and I use it fairly frequently.

Cheers,

Pete
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: Smashie on January 24, 2018, 10:27:54 AM: +1 for Renapur, works wonders on older leather :tu:
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: Barry Rowland on January 24, 2018, 01:49:21 PM: Haven't tried Renapur, but I've used leather lotion on mine for years and have found it really helps preserve them.
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: SteveC on January 24, 2018, 02:06:00 PM: I use Fiebing's Mink oil liquid to bring back really dry sheaths and then the paste to maintain. The oil really soaks in deeply to feed the leather.

(https://i.imgur.com/T4QpZoBh.jpg)
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: Nix on January 24, 2018, 03:39:10 PM: You might try using two products: Lexol leather conditioner first, and then, a harder paste/was. Mink oil is good stuff. I use Montana Pitch Blench which has some bees wax and pine pitch in addition to Mink oil. I've used other similar products with good results as well. Snow Seal is readily available in the USA and that has worked well for me.

But start with a bit of Lexol conditioner first. That will soak in and help balance the pH and help lubricate the leather to prevent cracking. Let that dry after applying, then top coat with a good oil/paste/wax.
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: pfrsantos on January 24, 2018, 04:10:41 PM: Quote from: pietervn on January 24, 2018, 09:59:43 AM
G'Day,

I'm a sucker for the old sheaths too.

I use a UK product Renapur Leather Balsam with great success. Unfortunately cracked leather cannot be "fixed". The conditioner should stop the deterioration and keep the leather soft and prevent further cracking. I have a PST sheath that has been "rescued" and I use it fairly frequently.

Cheers,

Pete

Thanks for the input, mate!
:tu: :tu:

Also, congrats on the Lifelessness!
:cheers: :salute:

Now, get to the palindrome thread before you miss the next one!
:pok: :pok:
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: pfrsantos on January 24, 2018, 04:11:11 PM: Quote from: pfrsantos on January 24, 2018, 04:10:41 PM
Quote from: pietervn on January 24, 2018, 09:59:43 AM
G'Day,

I'm a sucker for the old sheaths too.

I use a UK product Renapur Leather Balsam with great success. Unfortunately cracked leather cannot be "fixed". The conditioner should stop the deterioration and keep the leather soft and prevent further cracking. I have a PST sheath that has been "rescued" and I use it fairly frequently.

Cheers,

Pete

Thanks for the input, mate!
:tu: :tu:

Also, congrats on the Lifelessness!
:cheers: :salute:

Now, get to the palindrome thread before you miss the next one!
:pok: :pok:

Miss The!

:hatsoff:
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: Glockfan on January 24, 2018, 04:35:00 PM: I use Ballistol on all my leather, sheaths holsters,etc.. works pretty good. Some great options listed above tho.

Good luck
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: ThundahBeagle on January 24, 2018, 07:42:31 PM: Quote from: pietervn on January 24, 2018, 09:59:43 AM
G'Day,

I'm a sucker for the old sheaths too.

I use a UK product Renapur Leather Balsam with great success. Unfortunately cracked leather cannot be "fixed". The conditioner should stop the deterioration and keep the leather soft and prevent further cracking. I have a PST sheath that has been "rescued" and I use it fairly frequently.

Cheers,

Pete
[/quote

Thank you Piet, I will look it up]
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: ThundahBeagle on January 24, 2018, 07:43:53 PM: Quote from: SteveC on January 24, 2018, 02:06:00 PM
I use Fiebing's Mink oil liquid to bring back really dry sheaths and then the paste to maintain. The oil really soaks in deeply to feed the leather.

(https://i.imgur.com/T4QpZoBh.jpg)

Thank you SteveC. Very much like for the boots, then.
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: ThundahBeagle on January 24, 2018, 07:45:19 PM: Smashie, Barry, Nix, and Glock - thank you all very much
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: ThePeacent on January 24, 2018, 08:24:53 PM: Quote from: Glockfan on January 24, 2018, 04:35:00 PM
I use Ballistol on all my leather, sheaths holsters,etc.. works pretty good. Some great options listed above tho.

Good luck

Ballistol for Kukri sheaths = win, win, in the forest, the woods, stored in the basement or toting in a car :salute:
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: Don Pablo on January 24, 2018, 09:05:22 PM: I've heard of beeswax being used to keep leather in good condition. :think:

As an aside....
I'm trying out a roughly 50:50 mix of beeswax and vaseline as a lubricant for my twisty flashlight, based on what I heard on the internets. :think:
Seems to be working fine.
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: Poncho65 on January 24, 2018, 09:10:22 PM: Congrats on hitting the NLC, Peter :salute: :like:
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: Poncho65 on January 24, 2018, 09:11:27 PM: I have used a few different ones of these as well :cheers: Mink oil, Sno Seal and couple different ones :tu: any thing beats nothing though :D
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: SteveC on January 24, 2018, 09:43:58 PM: Quote from: Pablo O'Brien on January 24, 2018, 09:05:22 PM
I've heard of beeswax being used to keep leather in good condition. :think:

As an aside....
I'm trying out a roughly 50:50 mix of beeswax and vaseline as a lubricant for my twisty fleshlight, based on what I heard on the internets. :think:
Seems to be working fine.

TMI :ahhh

:D

:rofl:
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: Nix on January 24, 2018, 09:46:57 PM: :facepalm:
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: Nix on January 24, 2018, 09:49:48 PM: Pabs, I'd be cautious about using vaseline or other petroleum products. I may be wrong, but I seem to recall a knowledgeable person once telling me that vaseline, a petroleum product, can actually degrade leather. Again, I can't cite rigorous scientific studies, but I've always stayed clear of vaseline for use with leather or O-rings.

Beeswax is the bee's knees, however.
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: dks on January 24, 2018, 09:53:13 PM: There can be only one....

(http://gallery.multitool.org/var/resizes/Miscellaneous/Uncle-Def%27s-INFINITY-SERIES-Ultra-Premium-Oil/Uncle%20Defs%20INFINITY%20SERIES%20%285%29.jpg?m=1511910182)

http://gallery.multitool.org/index.php/Miscellaneous/Uncle-Def-s-INFINITY-SERIES-Ultra-Premium-Oil
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: Don Pablo on January 24, 2018, 10:16:45 PM: Quote from: Nix on January 24, 2018, 09:49:48 PM
Pabs, I'd be cautious about using vaseline or other petroleum products. I may be wrong, but I seem to recall a knowledgeable person once telling me that vaseline, a petroleum product, can actually degrade leather. Again, I can't cite rigorous scientific studies, but I've always stayed clear of vaseline for use with leather or O-rings.

Beeswax is the bee's knees, however.
I don't know what effect vaseline would have on leather, so yes, better be on the safe side there.

O-rings on the other hand... I heard that vaseline only affects o-rings made out of certain materials, and most o-rings are made of materials that play fine with vaseline.

I found a chart here (http://mechanics.stackexchange.com/questions/25018/does-vaseline-dissolve-rubber) that shows how each material fairs(fares?) against various things.

Worst case scenario, my o-ring degrades noticeably, and I buy more of the same size, in an appropriate material. I asked Thrunite customer service what size they use for the Ti3, just in case. :cheers:
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: Poncho65 on January 25, 2018, 12:12:38 AM: Quote from: SteveC on January 24, 2018, 09:43:58 PM
Quote from: Pablo O'Brien on January 24, 2018, 09:05:22 PM
I've heard of beeswax being used to keep leather in good condition. :think:

As an aside....
I'm trying out a roughly 50:50 mix of beeswax and vaseline as a lubricant for my twisty fleshlight, based on what I heard on the internets. :think:
Seems to be working fine.

TMI :ahhh

:D

:rofl:

:o

:rofl:
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: Don Pablo on January 25, 2018, 12:33:07 AM: Quote from: Poncho65 on January 25, 2018, 12:12:38 AM
Quote from: SteveC on January 24, 2018, 09:43:58 PM
Quote from: Pablo O'Brien on January 24, 2018, 09:05:22 PM
I've heard of beeswax being used to keep leather in good condition. :think:

As an aside....
I'm trying out a roughly 50:50 mix of beeswax and vaseline as a lubricant for my twisty fleshlight, based on what I heard on the internets. :think:
Seems to be working fine.

TMI :ahhh

:D

:rofl:

:o

:rofl:
:facepalm: ::)
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: ThundahBeagle on January 25, 2018, 05:59:25 AM: Fleshlight, eh?

So does that make this thread officially derailed, or is it now RAILED, baby?
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: Don Pablo on January 25, 2018, 09:18:27 AM: Quote from: ThundahBeagle on January 25, 2018, 05:59:25 AM
Fleshlight, eh?

So does that make this thread officially derailed, or is it now RAILED, baby?
Steve said it not me! ::)
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: dks on January 25, 2018, 09:28:19 AM: for the gaskets of lights use silicon grease.

For the threads you need to use a conductive oil as they form part of the lights electrical circuit. I have used gun lubricant in the past
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: Don Pablo on January 25, 2018, 09:30:55 AM: Quote from: dks on January 25, 2018, 09:28:19 AM
for the gaskets of lights use silicon grease.

For the threads you need to use a conductive oil as they form part of the lights electrical circuit. I have used gun lubricant in the past
I heard that silicone grease is bad for silicone o-rings, which are rather common. :think:
No worries about the conductivity of my threads, they’re already anodised, sooo
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: Don Pablo on January 25, 2018, 09:31:50 AM: Quote from: Pablo O'Brien on January 25, 2018, 09:30:55 AM
Quote from: dks on January 25, 2018, 09:28:19 AM
for the gaskets of lights use silicon grease.

For the threads you need to use a conductive oil as they form part of the lights electrical circuit. I have used gun lubricant in the past
I heard that silicone grease is bad for silicone o-rings, which are rather common. :think:
No worries about the conductivity of my threads, they’re already anodised, sooo
We should dig up an old thread talking about this stuff and go there. :pok:
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: dks on January 25, 2018, 10:11:32 AM: most threads/questions are repeats of older ones. I remember talking about this a few years ago, though I do not recall the thread. It could be the main flashlight thread, my review thread or a specific thread....
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: Don Pablo on January 25, 2018, 11:11:57 AM: "All of this has happened before, and all of this will happen again".
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: dks on January 25, 2018, 12:19:09 PM: I really like the fact that on MTO, nobody puts posters off by telling them to use the search engine.

So polite here... :)
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: Mechanickal on January 25, 2018, 12:43:24 PM: Quote from: dks on January 25, 2018, 12:19:09 PM
I really like the fact that on MTO, nobody puts posters off by telling them to use the search engine.

So polite here... :)
That was discussed before.
Use the search function! :twak:
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: dks on January 25, 2018, 12:58:12 PM: That is a newbie comment !!!
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: pfrsantos on January 25, 2018, 01:10:19 PM: Quote from: dks on January 25, 2018, 12:58:12 PM
That is a newbie comment !!!

Well, what do you expect from a 4-digit poster?...

:whistle:
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: dks on January 25, 2018, 01:11:50 PM: just 6 nuts....... a fresher
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: Don Pablo on January 25, 2018, 01:12:05 PM: I also like the fact that on MTO, you can post in really old threads without incurring irritation. :dd: :salute:
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: dks on January 25, 2018, 01:12:57 PM: oh, yes, no zombie thread punishment ....
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: pfrsantos on January 25, 2018, 01:13:35 PM: Quote from: Pablo O'Brien on January 25, 2018, 01:12:05 PM
I also like the fact that on MTO, you can post in really old threads without incurring irritation. :dd: :salute:

Wow, another one...

:facepalm:

Darn kids! Get off my lawn!

:twak: :twak: :twak: :twak:
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: ThePeacent on January 25, 2018, 04:44:00 PM: Quote from: Pablo O'Brien on January 25, 2018, 11:11:57 AM
"All of this has happened before, and all of this will happen again".

"Change is unavoidable for all but vending machines" ;)
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: pfrsantos on January 25, 2018, 05:59:26 PM: Quote from: ThePeacent on January 25, 2018, 04:44:00 PM
Quote from: Pablo O'Brien on January 25, 2018, 11:11:57 AM
"All of this has happened before, and all of this will happen again".

"Change is unavoidable for all but vending machines" ;)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8426/7712269702_a20cf564f5_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: SteveC on January 25, 2018, 06:00:40 PM: Classic MTO derailment in progress ;)
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: pfrsantos on January 25, 2018, 06:17:05 PM: Quote from: SteveC on January 25, 2018, 06:00:40 PM
Classic MTO derailment in progress ;)

Show content
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoA6HqLai-Q
Title: Re: Leather conditioner for sheath?
Post by: Boyd Miles on January 27, 2018, 01:01:34 AM: I am a leather worker and collector. My wife and I put on a display at a relic show about how to care for your leather items, we learned not to do that, more emotion than fact in this topic with some strong opinions.
Think of leather as a bunch of tiny coil springs tangled together. If you over condition it the springs relax and become untangled, not enough and they become brittle and break. For collectable items the best possible advice is keep dust off and don't do anything else. For items in use then use the best quality product you can find that doesn't contain petroleum solvents and follow the label directions. Surface cracks can't be fixed, show polish will cover them a bit but they are caused by the dyes and finish causing the surface to contract at a different rate than the rest, you can't do much to stop this. Wet dry cycles are very damaging, too dry is damaging, too wet is damaging, basically leather is deteriorating from the moment it made. Use is one of the things that keeps it usable, flexing and handling keep it flexible
. If you want it to last for ever just put it in an acid free box in a climate controlled room and let it get hard over time, it will be fine for display. If you want to use it then treat it like any good pair of boots and expect it to wear out eventually. Is it a collectable or a tool? If you want it as a collectable get a nylon after market sheath and put the leather one in a drawer, it will end up in the estate auction as part of the miscellaneous junk and might be a happy find for some other collector at a flea market. You are better off using it as intended.