Mink oil

[Dietrich]

It says to use saddle soap on my Crossbreed holsters and I can`t find any but I got access to mink oil out the ying yang.It says on the can that it conditions and softens smooth leather and that`s what I want,ain`t it?

[MERCTECH]

My crossbreed instructions says any good leather conditioner in cream form because the oil based conditioners may lift the dye.

[Dietrich]

Yeah,that`s what throws me.All my holsters are in natural horsehide and have no dye so that`s why I was wondering.

[Willieboy]

I'd be careful using oil on a leather holster. You might end up turning a nice molded leather holster into a leather pouch. Different tanning methods are used with leather. I know there is a chrome tanned leather and I think there is a method whereby oil is used. I'd do some research before applying oil.

[apheod]

definitely do not use mink oil on it unless you want it to be super soft (like it was years old) right away. it will be very flimsy. i ruined my crossbreed and a hell of a nice belt that way. i use this stuff and it has been great, doesn't soften at all but does a great job of protecting.

http://www.thebeltman.net/preserve.htm

[slowpoke]

Hears a link for the stuff I use.
http://www.fiebing.com/Leather_Care.aspx

The dye lifting:
I will depend on what type of dye they used.
If a spirit dye was used almost anything can cause it to start bleeding.

Un-died Horsehide shouldn't have a problem with either Mink Oil or Saddle Soap.

[Dietrich]

The mink oil I`m talking about comes in a paste much like shoe polish does.The can it`s in reminds me of the old Kiwi polish cans.I reckon I`d better send a message to Crossbreed and get their slant on this one before I do anything.Hell,I figured if you could put it on you shoes,ya know?

[Bawanna]

The mink oil I`m talking about comes in a paste much like shoe polish does.The can it`s in reminds me of the old Kiwi polish cans.I reckon I`d better send a message to Crossbreed and get their slant on this one before I do anything.Hell,I figured if you could put it on you shoes,ya know?

You folks in Carolina are wearing shoes now? Your really coming along.

[slowpoke]

The mink oil I`m talking about comes in a paste much like shoe polish does.The can it`s in reminds me of the old Kiwi polish cans.I reckon I`d better send a message to Crossbreed and get their slant on this one before I do anything.Hell,I figured if you could put it on you shoes,ya know?
Just because you "can" put it on your shoes don't make it good for them.
In the past it was common to use shoe wax on shoes but wax is the worst thing you can put on leather that flexes alot.
Remember the old days when your shoes would start cracking at the toe bends?
When you rub wax into leather it hardens and then where you bend it constantly it will begin to crack becuase the pores are full of hardened wax.

[Willieboy]

Just because you "can" put it on your shoes don't make it good for them.
In the past it was common to use shoe wax on shoes but wax is the worst thing you can put on leather that flexes alot.
Remember the old days when your shoes would start cracking at the toe bends?
When you rub wax into leather it hardens and then where you bend it constantly it will begin to crack becuase the pores are full of hardened wax.


And, your shoes ain't molded to your toes.

[OldLincoln]

Ron Garrett told me to use Blue Wonder Leather Care3 (http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/55453-33.html#Reviews) $3.68 per 4oz tube at Cheaper than dirt. He also said Pecards is good.

[CJB]

I always thought saddle soap was for cleaning leather - getting grunge off it. We always used neatsfoot oil on tack, and I use the same on my holsters, but not too often. I'm not sure what the mink-oil is that comes in the little tin. Best to read the fine print there. Another good product is Lexol for leather.

You dont want to soak leather holsters with oils - they generally lose their shape. You can apply a SPARING amount, which will keep the surface from cracking with age. I have some very very old Bianchi holsters, that are still hanging strong. One, call the #3 Pistol Pocket, I used with a J frame Chief's, and now the SP101, which also fits it. Its been full of sweat and every sort of grunge. Lexol and a tad bit of neatsfoot... and its still goin.

How do you know when to oil your mink? Do they squeek more than usual? For that matter, when do neats feet need oiling?

[slowpoke]

And, your shoes ain't molded to your toes.
Man aint that the truth!
I can't buy a pair of shoes or boots that fit without a painful break-in.

[Dietrich]

You folks in Carolina are wearing shoes now? Your really coming along.

Only the older men.That`s how we run down our twelve year old nieces. ;)

[gagnejs8]

I use the stuff to loosen up baseball mitts. Found at any local Dicks sporting goods!

[jocko]

I always thought mink oil was for a good water proofing and not actually a good leahter treatment.

[OldLincoln]

One post I read re holster care was by an employee of Galco Holsters that said they smell all returns for traces of detergents and mink oil. Can't find it right now.

[harrydog]

A molded leather holster needs to remain stiff and hold it's shape. Any holster maker will tell you not to use mink oil or any oil for that matter because they will soften the leather. Lou Alessi recommended using Kiwi neutral shoe polish to help maintain the appearance. Milt Sparks recommends Renaissance wax.

[jocko]

Maybe that is why I hate some of my leather pocket holsters for my PM9. They are stiffer than a well digger pri-k.

[slowpoke]

A molded leather holster needs to remain stiff and hold it's shape. Any holster maker will tell you not to use mink oil or any oil for that matter because they will soften the leather. Lou Alessi recommended using Kiwi neutral shoe polish to help maintain the appearance. Milt Sparks recommends Renaissance wax.

Very true.
But the way I read it, I think Dietrich was wanting to soften the backing of his Crossbreed holster.

[harrydog]

Very true.
But the way I read it, I think Dietrich was wanting to soften the backing of his Crossbreed holster.
Ahhh. Then I would say mink oil would do the trick.

[apheod]

it will mold to this body within a few days anyway. the crossbreeds don't use very thick leather. no need to shorten the life of the leather to break it in a couple days faster.

[OldLincoln]

Uh, Diet? Ask about the smell over time. I read Mink oil goes bad but don't know anything about it but you may want to check it out before using it. I know if it stinks why would so many people use it? I don't know, just passing along what I read.

[rnpollard]

I use a light coat of neatsfoot oil on my horsehide backing and that is it. My personal holster backing is very flexible but that offers no disadvantage at all. My current holsters are over 6 months old and I have no intention of oiling them again.

[slowpoke]

Aint no "mink" oil in mink oil that I know of. Maybe in the past but now days both mink oil and saddle soap are glycerin based made from other animal fats.
The only thing I put on my holsters is bees wax on the body of the holster and mink oil on the straps.
It should be also noted that horsehide has a lot of natural oil and if not done carefully horsehide can become saturated very easily with mink oil.

[Dietrich]

The following is taken from the instructions provided by Crossbreed for the holster.

"To care for the leather portion of your holster,simply treat it once every four or five weeks with a good leather conditioner.Use a cream type product on the front side of the leather as some oil based conditioners may lift the dye."

As I stated before,my holsters are made of horsehide and are not dyed.I have sent an email to Crossbreed and should receive a reply sometime today.I`ll let y`all know what they said.

[eklipto101]

Go to Wallyworld by the shoe dept. there you should find Saddle-soap, that it's what I use, it doesn't saturate the leather with oil, all it does it's condition's it. I use that on everything from shoes to Baseball glove and it shines it up too.

[Dietrich]

According to Marty of the Crossbreed Holster Company,you may use mink oil on horsehide holsters but not on cowhide.So that`s the name of that tune.

[earle8888]

Danner, north west, I think Seattle. Selles its leather dressing. Just what the doctor ordered. They have Brown, Clear, and Black.
If you look back at old posts, I used a picture of a "Seven Trees" holster. That in-the-waist was purchased in 1970, still great, Danner'd when it looked like or felt like it needed it. Yep "Mink Oil" is for waterproofing/snow shielding. Great in the days of yore.

[Dietrich]

Go to Wallyworld by the shoe dept. there you should find Saddle-soap, that it's what I use, it doesn't saturate the leather with oil, all it does it's condition's it. I use that on everything from shoes to Baseball glove and it shines it up too.

The product I`m talking about is a paste made by Kiwi and according to the can it contains " a rich blend of mink oil,silicone and lanolin which conditions and waterproofs smooth leather." I`m going to see how it does.Now that I`ve got the go-ahead from Crossbreed I feel if the holster gets ruined they will replace it.I don`t think that`s going to happen though.I rubbed some on a delicate part of my skin.Feels kind of...nice.Doesn`t shine though.

[jocko]

ALOT of this leather conditioning stuff labeled under 50 different brand names is more than likely made by one or two vendors. "a rich blend" now that is a good one. they better watch out with that type of advertising as OBAMA will wantto tax them some more..

[crazymailman]

Neatsfoot oil is one of the best conditioners that I've used. Back in the day I had a baseball glove made by Nocona that recommended Vaseline. Worked well too.