rifle sling question

[Ontarioguy]

purchased a leather military sling and its like cardboard, anything i can do to soften it up a little?. thanks kindly

[Tesla]

My leather was in the same shape, brand new (to be expected).

Alot of patience and Lexol / Neatsfoot dressing lightly with a brush over time worked for my sling, yours may be different all together.

Levergun probably has a better recommendation as far as neatsfoot goes!
http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/i...c,29845.0.html

[FWiedner]

Leather is made up of a big wad of fibrous dead flesh. You've got to break up or loosen the fibers to make the leather more supple.

Oiling the leather can facilitate the process by softening up the fibers, but you've got to exercise the leather too.

[MaineHunter]

I just bought a new Montana sline that was very stiff. I've been using mink oil on it and it is much more flexible.

[Ontarioguy]

thank you, that helps

[granpa52]

American Indian women used to chew on leather to make it softer....might try that . ( no...I don't mean to get yourself an American Indian woman to have her chew it.... ! )

[VTDW]

I do what I did as a kid playing baseball. I like aerosol shaving lather w/Aloe. Smear it on thick and let it dry. Do both sides of the leather when you can. It works quite well. I do my belts, buttcuffs, holsters etc.

Dave

[stlr_dude]

Saddle Soap works pretty good too.

[lesismore]

Mink oil is the best,

Neatsfoot oil nah, that stuff is to inviting to bacteria that will rot leather, and it don't repel water.

Mink oil, let it soak in a good while and then like F.W. said exercise it. Mink oil will darken a little but it won't discolor leather. It will stay supple for a long time and it will repel water almost like bee's wax.

[Tesla]

American Indian women used to chew on leather to make it softer....might try that . ( no...I don't mean to get yourself an American Indian woman to have her chew it.... ! )

I think I cracked some lattice laughing so much