How to un-curl leather kilt straps?

**1oldsarge** · 24th February 12, 08:10 PM

Having worked with leather, I can advise that leather that is dampened and put into the shape that you want it, will remain in that shape when it dries. I used to use a hair dryer to expedite the process.

**NeightRG** · 24th February 12, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by unixken

Survived a heart attack, just this past September. Trying to lose weight, not gain it back. ;)

Well, in that case, keep the unused holes - each of them a badge of honor ;-)

**unixken** · 24th February 12, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by NeightRG

Well, in that case, keep the unused holes - each of them a badge of honor ;-)

Owning a really nice Kilt is the first item on the Bucket List

**Tobus** · 27th February 12, 06:36 AM

Originally Posted by 1oldsarge

Having worked with leather, I can advise that leather that is dampened and put into the shape that you want it, will remain in that shape when it dries. I used to use a hair dryer to expedite the process.

Yup, leather workers use water to "wet-form" leather to all sorts of shapes. It takes more than dampening the leather, though. Ideally, it should be soaked all the way through so that all the fibers in the leather are pliable. Then form it to the shape you want and let it dry. I would not use a hair dryer or other artificial means. Something as small as a strap should dry on its own in a couple of hours anyway.

After it dries, it's a good idea to oil the leather with mink oil or another suitable leather oil. It should still keep its formed shape, but will be softer and more bendable.

**unixken** · 27th February 12, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by Lyle1

Try rolling the ends of the the straps in on themselves a few times and securing them with a paperclip for a few days.

Simplest is always better. Lyle, this worked beautifully. Thanks!

I know from past experience that although water can make leather pliable, I've seen a few occasions where the leather ends up dried out, and stiff, as a result. (Think baseball gloves left out in the rain, when you were a kid LOL)

I also didn't want to risk mink oil or other such penetrating treatments leaching into the fabric of the kilt, possibly staining or otherwise damaging it.

Lyle's quick-fix solution, followed by Artificer's suggestion that the leather would relax on it's own, did the trick. My straps now lay flat.

Thanks again, everyone, for all the input!