Important – Leather Care

I just wanted to post a quick note about leather care.   Leather dries out and cracks over time.   I recently saw an old bag of mine that had been put away for several years and had cracked badly.   Fortunately,  the leather had not cracked all the way through and the bag could be saved.  It just looks like it is a hundred years old now.  That was not the look I was going for.

To  maintain the appearance and functionality of a shot pouch, hunting bag, or any other leather goods,  I recommend that it be oiled at least once a year; every six months would be better.    I oil my leather goods with a high quality Mink Oil.    Some people prefer Neatsfoot oil   I think it gets a little gummy, but that might depend on the quality of the oil you use.  As to the Mink Oil,  I use Fiebings Mink Oil Paste.

Apply the oil/paste liberally with a rag and rub it in all the nooks and crannies and into the stitches.    You don’t want to leave any white paste.   After you have rubbed the paste in good, wipe off any excess.   Then brush vigorously with a stiff horse hair brush to a sheen.    Your leather item is now good for another six months.