Leather holster conditioning - what to use?

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BarkSlayer

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I just bought a new Bianchi leather holster for my S&W model 686 with 4" barrel. The workmanship is first rate and the leather should last a lifetime. But, I had a real struggle getting the thumb snap fastened. The strap that goes over the hammer was so tight, I had to use a small blade screwdriver to push it home the final fraction of a millimeter. There's no way it can be fastened by hand, the way I expect it was meant to function.

That leads to my question...what (if anything) do I put on my new leather holster to condition the leather, soften it up a bit and enable me to get it snapped without the special tools or all the gymnastics?
 
It'll loosen with time but only if you snap it over the gun. I use Snow Proof on the holsters that I make and it's the brand recommended by S.D. Myers in El Paso. Snow Proof will allow you to stretch the strap somewhat, but a better method might be to wet it thoroughly, the strap only, and stretch it. Cover the gun with a sandwich bag and secure it in the holster with the strap snapped. When it's dry, coat it with Snow Proof. Snow Proof comes in a brown shoe shine type can and is available through shoe repair shops and saddle makers. Tough to find sometimes. It's made by a division of Fiebing Co. makers of leather dyes. Try a web search or Tandy Leather. An alternative is mink oil in the can or Neat's Foot Oil. Neat's will significantly darken the leather, so be prepared if you choose that product. Snow Proof will darken it somewhat but it's an amber color and looks like the pic below. The belt, knife sheath and holster were all done with Snow Proof over the plain leather...leaving a warm hue.
Regards, Rodfac
44Splinholster.jpg

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When I get some brand new leather, I prefer to use Neat's Foot oil on it. It helps to soften up that hardness of new leather. Don't submerge it or soak it for more than a few seconds and you should be fine.

One caution. I only use NFO on leather that I'm going to use. Don't wet leather down with it and then put it into storage. You will end up with mildew and it can be nasty. NFO gets the leather oily on the surface and you don't want to store it like that!

Put the oil on, wipe it off. Maybe a bit more and wipe it off. I use the plastic bag on the gun trick as well.

After a piece is basically the way I like it, then I use some type of saddle product. I normally use Lexol but I'm sure there are other premium saddle type products.

Gregg
 
may sound strange but this is one I have used since my first baseball glove. Colgate shaving cream on a cotton rag. Just use the cream not the gel. I use it on a lot of differant leather items ranging from my saddle to some old cowboy holsters. I use the kind with the aloe vera it works and is cheap. I use it to shave with every morning so I always have some around.
 
Your holster should have came with instructions for leather care,if not go to bianchi.com.There is a section on leather care on that website.Check their caution on using oil on leather.I can assure you that there are gonna be some "treatments"recommended on this forum that will shorten the life of your new holster.
 
conditioning holsters

Word to the wise DO NOT use Neets Foot. It will rot the threads in your holster. I know what I'm talking about I used to raise horses and learned a hard lesson when I used it on my saddles.:mad:
 
Bianchi leather is "chromed-tanned",

not the older tannic acid tan.
Therefor, should use the silicone spray,

You can still wash with saddle soap to soften and mold to firearm, dry and spray with silicone.

locate John Biachi's book "Blue Steel & gunleather" he has info on what to use.

I have a #6 from 1980 still in good condition, a 1976/7 X-20000 still in use.
They last just need a little attention every two years.
 
Bianchi.com should have conditioning directions or the packaging should have had them as well. Personally, I'd put the gun in the holster, snap the retention strap and put the gun away for a day or two. That should stretch out the leather enough that it fits easily.

You don't want to put any thing on that leather that will break it down. You don't want a supple holster.
 
If I want to renew the finish on my holsters I use Renaissance Wax. For Holsters that are too tight, I put my Gun in a plastic bag and stick it in the holster and leave for a couple of days.
 
Despite my reference to Neat's Foot Oil earlier, I concur in that it will eventually overly soften the leather and rot the stitching if a waxed linen thread was used. Snow Proof is still the best in my opinion and stretching the strap after soaking in water should work for you. Rodfac
 
I've never spray, applied, dipped, washed any of my holsters an ANYTHING. Just use it. The more you use it, the quicker it will break in.

Renaissance Wax is the only thing I've ever heard of an actual holster maker recommending, and that would be Milt Sparks....top notch.
 
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