Leather Treatment For Kilt Straps??

**Riverkilt** · 14th July 08, 11:47 AM

I'm guessing somewhere in the World there's a company that makes the black leather kiltstraps that seem to come on all my quality kilts from quality kiltmakers.

They seem "new" and stiff to me.

I know there are dozens, maybe hundreds, of different leather treatments - each with their own devoted following.

I happen to be big on Buffalo Butter (just a name, not really butter from buffalos).

Think I've pretty much figured out how to apply it without getting my kilts oily or gooey.

What I'm wondering is if anyone knows anything about this mysterious black leather kilt strap manufacturer and if they ALREADY put stuff in their leather and I don't really need to add anything to mine.

Hey, its dry here in Arizona and leather drys out...

Thanks for any info, help, suggestions.

Ron

**ardchoille** · 14th July 08, 01:10 PM

What I use, when needed, is neatsfoot oil. Tandy leather stores carry it but I'm betting you can find it at other places.

Wow, they get lot from buffaloes.. buffalo butter, buffalo wings..

**Canuck** · 14th July 08, 01:16 PM

You can use a cheap hand lotion to recondition your leather straps. Works well and is economical

**Kilted in Maine** · 14th July 08, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

Think I've pretty much figured out how to apply it without getting my kilts oily or gooey.

And how is that???

**Ian.MacAllan** · 14th July 08, 02:16 PM

Useful treatments for stiff leather work by replacing the substance (fats, mostly) which tanning and age and washing in warm water remove or excessive heat oxidizes. I don't recommend manufactured treatments in general because some of them seal the leather's pores so that it can't absorb new substance, and there are far too many of them for me to evaluate.

I use only cool water (with or without saddle soap, as the leather's condition requires) to clean it and then mink oil for softening and water-proofing. If the leather is still too stiff when it has stopped responding to mink oil I apply a little pure neatsfoot oil. Be careful with the neatsfoot oil; too much can make the leather gooey and likely to tear.

.

**Riverkilt** · 14th July 08, 02:16 PM

Was gonna unbuckle them, lay the straps out, and put index cards between anyplace the leather and the fabric touch...that and being very very careful and only using a tiny bit of oil at a time (Buffalo Butter comes in an oil)...

And thanks for the tip Robert...guess hand lotion is for our skin which is similar to leather only less dead...

Ron

**Panache** · 14th July 08, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

...guess hand lotion is for our skin which is similar to leather only less dead...

That's a pretty great (and pretty weird) quote Ron!

Cheers

Jamie

**Nanook** · 14th July 08, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

I'm guessing somewhere in the World there's a company that makes the black leather kiltstraps that seem to come on all my quality kilts from quality kiltmakers.

There are a few. Most straps are, however, "imported" (unless you are living in Asia).

They seem "new" and stiff to me.

That's good. They are supposed to be "new" and "stiff".

I know there are dozens, maybe hundreds, of different leather treatments - each with their own devoted following.

Don't use any leather treatment. If the straps need a leather treatment then they are just brittle useless bits of bonded or lowest grade split-grain leather.

What I'm wondering is if anyone knows anything about this mysterious black leather kilt strap manufacturer and if they ALREADY put stuff in their leather and I don't really need to add anything to mine.

Good leather straps don't need anything. They should soften up during use. I've seen quite a few kilts older than 50 years with intact straps. I have some straps that were well used and probably close to 100 years old and still in fine albeit no longer "as new" shape.

Hey, its dry here in Arizona and leather drys out...

Good leather does not "dry out". Solvents as found in many "leather care" products dry out leather but not dryness. Sure prolonged periods of humidity below 30% combined with heat will dry out leather but not really sufficient enough to be of concern with straps. Surface flaking is not from the leather drying out as much as the surface being damaged and worn over time. The largest problem leather has is under high humidity (> 70%) as it can start to rot. Adding oil or other fats to the surface of leather will prevent the leather from breathing and maintain a higher level of internal moisture. The best protection is a light coating with pure beeswax. I don't think anything is really needed since straps are easy enough to replace. When the straps are no good you can just replace them.

**Panache** · 14th July 08, 03:13 PM

I guess I have a different opinion than Nanook. I find that most leather goods do well with a little bit of mink oil. It brings back the shine and keeps them supple.

But that's just my experience.

Cheers

Jamie

**Nanook** · 14th July 08, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by Panache

I guess I have a different opinion than Nanook. I find that most leather goods do well with a little bit of mink oil.

Mink oil is to waterproof leather. The lubrication can create a feeling of "softness". The problem with mink oil is that many "mink oil" products contain petroleum-distillates. I would avoid them all. If one needs waterproofed leather for something like bags or boots then one should select waterproof leathers such as Russian Leather or waxed calf.