Reconditioning leather?

[Cyclic-Rivers]

My Brother found an old leather Back quiver in his basement and sent it to me   :D   . It has not been well taken care of to say the least.

I would describe it as being Dried out, Pliable but very dirty.

Is there a good way to recondition something like this or do you think it is a lost cause?

[Whip]

I've used boot conditioner on old leather and it works great. The stuff I have here is by Danner. If it is not rotten it a couple of applicatons will make it feel almost like new again.

[JRY309]

Neatsfoot oil,you can get at 3Rivers is good for leather.

[MYSTIKBOW]

I've used saddle soap to clean/recondition leather with excellent results. Later followed by a good coating of mink oil. That will keep it pliable and waterproof for some time to come.

[Soilarch]

Lexol  (neastfoot oil) is good stuff.  I use saddle soap as a cleaner, lexol as a conditioner, and Sno-Seal as a waterproofer.  Those three things keep what I have in really really good shape.  Never tried to bring anything back from the grave though.


Don't know how rural you are but find a "horse store" (you know, boots, saddles, tack, all your horse-people stuff) and take it in.  

They'll know someone who can "redo" saddles...and those guys can work absolute magic.  If you don't want to get that involved they'll likely have and know just what you need for a DIY.

That group spends a lot of money on leather-made equipment and they know how to keep/repair it.

[Rusty in Fla.]

Saddle soap to clean and olive oil to put the moisture back in it.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Thanks guys, Perhaps i will go raid the tack barn where my wife keeps her horse.    

I like some of the suggestions and will see what is readily available at local stores.  Maybe with any luck someone will end up with a nice back quiver!              

[ron w]

Charlie, bring it over I may be able to help you!!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Ron, as soon as I can legally drive I'll be there!

dont ask long story that gets me worked up every time!

[Raminshooter]

Dont use Olive Oil....it rots and can ruin your leather in the process.

[hayslope]

Originally posted by Soilarch:
Don't know how rural you are but find a "horse store" (you know, boots, saddles, tack, all your horse-people stuff) and take it in.  

They'll know someone who can "redo" saddles...and those guys can work absolute magic.  If you don't want to get that involved they'll likely have and know just what you need for a DIY.

That group spends a lot of money on leather-made equipment and they know how to keep/repair it.

This is the best advice you are going to get......more $$$$ spent on leather care and restoration by these folks than you can shake a stick at (this is coming from a horse person)!

Another thing you will notice about the products used by these folks......rarely do you ever see a "new" product.....just the "tried and true" that's been around a good long while!

For an old dried quiver, you can always use one of their good cleaners, but when you get to the conditioning part, I would avoid using regular neets foot oil.....it WILL darken the leather drastically......you might want to try one of the light neets foot oils....and use very light applications until you are satisfied.

Once it's cleaned you could always try Montana Pitch Blend....it will also help with water resistance.  MPB is very popular with the "gang" here.  Smells better than neets foot oil as well!

[ablebonus]

I bought a similar quiver off ****, it had been in an attic since the 50's.  I used Oakwood Leather Conditioner (since I had some from an old boot purchase), it worked well.  The dry, brittle leather became supple and very usable.

[Soilarch]

Lexol makes a "non-darkening" version.  I use it, but have no clue as to how non-darkening it is.

I bought it because it's what the store had on hand...and it makes me no difference whether my leather gets darkened. (Leather and Chocolate...the darker the better   :cool:   )

The Sno-Seal I suggested earlier is beeswax based instead of animal oil.

IT WILL DEFINITELY DARKEN what you use it on.

[Bald Spot]

Having worked in a saddle shop for a few years, and owning abundant tack, I have developed a couple of opinions on leather conditioners.  Most of the products stated above are good, and work well.  For a cleaner you might also add a mild solution of Tide detergent.  Works well and comes off when you want it too.  For conditioning leather, 90% of the time I use Obenaufs LP OIL.  This is the stuff for any of the oil or veg tanned leathers.  Not always easy to find but works.  And for water proofing the only grease I use is LP.  Apply with a brush/rag and then heat with a hair dryer and rub it in until the leather absorbs it.

[1kwikstik]

I second the Sno-Seal. Been using it on all my leather for years.

[BobW]

Montana Pitch Blend - oil and paste.  Stuff brings back the dead.