New (Hard) Leather Strap - Advice:

[Inspector #20]

Got a tough strap made for my Doublneck. Its 3" wide and .175" thick. It's new and quite rigid.

I was thinking....what about putting it in the dryer with a bunch of towels to soften it up...or???

 

[DonP]

Give it to the dogs as a chew toy for a few days? But beating it with a mallet may do some good.

 

[syscokid]

Lanolin, boot oil, saddle soap... some kind of leather conditioner. I bet you already got some kind of leather conditioner for your vehicles or furniture. Or, protect the strap with a sheet of fabric and start beating it against something. Do this in your front yard. Your neighbors will find it interesting...

 

[Session 5]

Treat it with some leather conditioners and knead the heck out of it.

 

[iblive]

Interesting. I have a fairly new 3” leather strap that pretty stuff. Might check some of these ideas out.

 

[Inspector #20]

Thanks Tone Bros. Your advice is valued!

 

[Chubbles]

Alnernate uses for strap may work: S&M.

jk, obviously

 

[eSGEe]

KIWI makes a saddle soap/leather conditioner product ---used it on all my BIKER gear back in the day --- great stuff...

You could also get the wife to alternate which cheek she hits you on till it softens up mate

 

[gasket]

what about putting it in the dryer with a bunch of towels to soften it up...or???

I suspect heating then cooling would only make it harder UNLESS you rub leather dressing into it while its hot. I always put my boots, bike jacket etc in direct sunlight for some time before treating, the heat helps.

 

[Inspector #20]

I suspect heating then cooling would only make it harder UNLESS you rub leather dressing into it while its hot. I always put my boots, bike jacket etc in direct sunlight for some time before treating, the heat helps.

Good point. I was actually thinking cold dryer setting for the tumbling effects.

 

[Session 5]

You could take mink oil in a paste form rub into the leather, take a hair dryer until the paste kinda melts into the leather, then keeping kneading the belt, this should start to soften up the leather. I used to do this with my work boots to protect and soften the leather. I realize you wont need the protection from water on the leather, but if you ever spill some liquid on the strap hey it would be waterproofed as well.

 

[Inspector #20]

So I rubbed this down with leather wipes and spent 4 hours kneading and rolling it.

Its as smooth and supple as my 30 year old strap!

 

[syscokid]

So I rubbed this down with leather wipes and spent 4 hours kneading and rolling it.

Its as smooth and supple as my 30 year old strap!

If you spend another 4 hours with it, it'll be as smooth and supple as a 60 year old strap...

 

[eSGEe]

I bet she is a hoot at office parties!