Collarspace Discussion Forums


Home  Login  Search 

Softening leather


View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest
 
All Forums >> [Community Discussions] >> Bondage Gear and Apparel >> Softening leather Page: [1]
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
Softening leather - 3/23/2008 6:05:23 PM   
MissAidan


Posts: 208
Joined: 7/23/2007
Status: offline 		Just today, my Other Half finally bought me a daily wear black leather collar, after I got up the balls to tell Him that while I like the necklaces He has given me, they just don't feel like collars.  It was bought at a pet store, and it was folded over so it has two spots where it was folded that are in need of reshaping.  It could also use a little softening.  Does anyone have any tips for reshaping it, or know of anything one might have around the house that will help soften it a little?
Profile   Post #: 1
RE: Softening leather - 3/23/2008 11:36:18 PM   
Willowmoon


Posts: 227
Joined: 9/25/2007
Status: offline 		easiest way wear it lots - leather softens with use.

Master bought me a new leather collar last weekend that was fairly stiff butI have worn it every night at home and all of the long weekend and its quickly getting softer. Also while the ones from a petshop are good to start with the leather doesn't tend to be as good a quality or as well made as others from people who do leather work for human pets not animal pets.

(in reply to MissAidan)
Profile   Post #: 2
RE: Softening leather - 3/24/2008 7:05:18 AM   
NajaNivea


Posts: 14
Joined: 3/4/2008
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: MissAidan

Just today, my Other Half finally bought me a daily wear black leather collar, after I got up the balls to tell Him that while I like the necklaces He has given me, they just don't feel like collars.  It was bought at a pet store, and it was folded over so it has two spots where it was folded that are in need of reshaping.  It could also use a little softening.  Does anyone have any tips for reshaping it, or know of anything one might have around the house that will help soften it a little?
Depending on what kind of leather it is, you can usually reshape it by wetting it, stretching it into whatever shape you want, and letting it dry--that's if it's in need of serious reshaping. If it's just a little folded, then oiling it with saddle oil, neet's foot oil, or a leather conditioner like Lexol will help soften and reshape it, too. I much, much prefer the oils to the "leather conditioners" but YMMV on that one. My advice would be to use neet's foot if it's not going to be an item that's going to get dirty or wet routinely. Saddle oil is a blend of silicone and lanoilin, so will soften the collar beautifully and protect it from wet and dirt. Neet's foot will soften it as well or better than the saddle oil and does not contain the silicone.
Most leather products sold in commercial pet stores are made with low-quality leather and imported from China and Pakistan, so when you oil it, use an old rag in case the dye transfers. Oil it heavily and let it sit for a day or so to soak in. Rub it with the same rag the next day to remove any excess surface oil and dye, then let it sit one more day. You should be good to go after that!

(in reply to MissAidan)
Profile   Post #: 3
RE: Softening leather - 3/24/2008 7:50:20 AM   
Elegant


Posts: 1024
Joined: 3/15/2005
Status: offline 		The proper 'softening' method and product is somewhat dependant on the type of leather and the construction.

Leather conditioning in general. The following information is from years of continuous research:

Mink Oil: Not the best conditioner for most leather. It is more of a waterproofing agent and often used on winter hiking boots. Some mink oil products have filler ingredients which may be detrimental to leather.

Neetsfoot Oil: A "neat" is a beef animal, and this oil used to be made out of cow hooves, hence the name. Now it is made from the bone oils of a variety of animals. It is heavy oil and is known to rot cotton stitching on leather items that have been sewn.Can stain lighter leather and has been know to become rancid quickly. It's liquid consistancy makes it harder to control amount used and can often oversoak leather. Think of leather conditioning as skin conditioning...too much too deep as you clog the pores.

Lexol Products: I personally do not recommend Lexol products. They contain chemical emulsifying agents that could be harm leather.

Saddle Soap: While the container does state 'cleans and conditions' saddle soap is very alkaline which actually damages leather..hence a proper conditioning product needs to be applied after using and rinsing saddle soap. Saddle soap is like face soap...wash and rinse!

Products With Silicone: Silicone does not condition leather. Silicone prevents leather from breathing and provides more hardness and stiffening. It is usually only appropriate for wet weather gear such as damp weather horse tack and winter boots.

Beeswax Base Conditioners: I use these regularly. Little chance of rancidity and seldom darkens leather (unless extremely light leather). Most professional whipmakers suggest beeswax based conditioners. My favorite is Aussie Leather Conditioner.

Pine Pitch Conditioner: Most experienced bootblacks (myself included) live for Huberd's Boot Grease. It will darken lightter leathers but is lovely for oil tanned leather. I usually do not use it on collars though.


quote:

ORIGINAL: NajaNivea
Saddle oil is a blend of silicone and lanoilin, so will soften the collar beautifully and protect it from wet and dirt.



Saddle Oil is a generic term and not all saddle oils contain silicone. Ingredients vary depending on the brand. I shy away from saddle oils unless I have researched the ingredients.


quote:

ORIGINAL: NajaNivea
Neet's foot will soften it as well or better than the saddle oil and does not contain the silicone.



See above about neetsfoot oil






_____________________________

Elegant
~Slave To Master Archer

http://www.FantasiesInLeather.com

(in reply to NajaNivea)
Profile   Post #: 4
RE: Softening leather - 3/24/2008 2:08:38 PM   
TwistedLeather


Posts: 189
Joined: 3/9/2008
Status: offline 		As already mentioned, there are various possibilities depending on the type of leather and such. my personal preference is Dr. Jackson's Hide Rejuvenator. Just dampen the leather, rub some in, let it soak for a bit, laying flat *lay something over it and weigh it down if need be*, then wipe off excess with a clean, dry cloth. W/we also use Lexol Leather Conditioner after we die and treat our leather. Both, and many more, can be purchased at Tandy Leather stores, or other leather work supply places.

You can also sit for a while playing with your collar with just your hands. Get it damp, then sit while watching TV or something and roll it up one way, then unroll and do it again the other way. Create waves going in opposite directions, on both sides of the collar. The more the leather is moved, the more pliable it will get.

G'luck.

(in reply to Elegant)
Profile   Post #: 5
RE: Softening leather - 3/24/2008 3:39:57 PM   
Phin


Posts: 1802
Joined: 2/26/2007
Status: offline 		Elegant, thank you for sharing what you learned saving us from all the work...


_____________________________

"Isn't wonderful when our bruises show what we hide in the back of our heads?"Fayetteville band, Nephilym

"He is my angel, my devil, my naughty boy, but above anything else my Master"My girl sin

(in reply to TwistedLeather)
Profile   Post #: 6
RE: Softening leather - 3/24/2008 4:03:05 PM   
MsStarlett


Posts: 1879
Joined: 12/23/2007
Status: offline 		Yes, Thanks again!  Our next project is to try to make me a leather corset.  Several of my boys do leather work, but mostly just straps and armor type things.  Nothing so fitted.  But I saw a beautiful piece at a show, but it was one of those that I just KNEW that if I had to ask how much it was, that there was no way I could afford it.

(in reply to Phin)
Profile   Post #: 7
RE: Softening leather - 3/24/2008 4:07:02 PM   
NajaNivea


Posts: 14
Joined: 3/4/2008
Status: offline
quote:

Saddle Oil is a generic term and not all saddle oils contain silicone. Ingredients vary depending on the brand. I shy away from saddle oils unless I have researched the ingredients.

See above about neetsfoot oil

*shrug* Clearly, we've had different experiences with both. As far as "researching the ingredients" goes, you should be able to look on the bottle and see for yourself what's in it.

(in reply to Elegant)
Profile   Post #: 8
RE: Softening leather - 3/24/2008 4:56:45 PM   
Elegant


Posts: 1024
Joined: 3/15/2005
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Phin

Elegant, thank you for sharing what you learned saving us from all the work...



Always for you Phin..such a gentleman!

quote:

ORIGINAL: TwistedLeather

As already mentioned, there are various possibilities depending on the type of leather and such. my personal preference is Dr. Jackson's Hide Rejuvenator.


A great product. This is what Heartwood Whips recommends.


quote:

ORIGINAL: MsStarlett

Yes, Thanks again!  Our next project is to try to make me a leather corset.  Several of my boys do leather work, but mostly just straps and armor type things.  Nothing so fitted.  But I saw a beautiful piece at a show, but it was one of those that I just KNEW that if I had to ask how much it was, that there was no way I could afford it.


Marvelous Mayhem that was at the show...my personal fav. I have seen them work and their attention to detail is incredible! I'm going to ask if I can make monthly payments and maybe I will get one in 10 years...lol




quote:

ORIGINAL: NajaNivea

*shrug* Clearly, we've had different experiences with both. As far as "researching the ingredients" goes, you should be able to look on the bottle and see for yourself what's in it.



Researching involves more than reading a label and mere personal preference when it comes to technical knowledge: Reading a bottle label doesn't tell you everything. In fact, most leathercare products do not legally have to list ingredients.

What does help when supplying knowledge to others:
  • Knowing the MSDS for the ingredients
  • Learning and understanding chemical reactions
  • Researching and applying knowledge of organic and inorganic substances
  • Being a leathercare professional and bootblacks for way too many years.
  • Having a Master who is an environmental scientist.



_____________________________

Elegant
~Slave To Master Archer

http://www.FantasiesInLeather.com

(in reply to NajaNivea)
Profile   Post #: 9
RE: Softening leather - 3/24/2008 8:35:19 PM   
NajaNivea


Posts: 14
Joined: 3/4/2008
Status: offline
quote:


What does help when supplying knowledge to others:
  • Knowing the MSDS for the ingredients
  • Learning and understanding chemical reactions
  • Researching and applying knowledge of organic and inorganic substances
  • Being a leathercare professional and bootblacks for way too many years.
  • Having a Master who is an environmental scientist.
Pardon me for being dense, but I'm new here and thus not privy to board politics and popularity posturing. Are you intending to insinuate I haven't any of the above qualifications? Perhaps I'm misreading and you're not intending to come off as prickly and defensive towards me, but thanks for posting your résumé and all.

Best,
~Nivea

< Message edited by NajaNivea -- 3/24/2008 8:42:30 PM >

(in reply to Elegant)
Profile   Post #: 10
RE: Softening leather - 3/24/2008 9:27:38 PM   
Archer


Posts: 3207
Joined: 3/11/2005
Status: offline 		The prickliness you sensed was not personal, but rather based on your idea of what constituted "research". If a label reading constitutes research to you please stay away from other people's leathers. Sometimes it's tough to tell when someone is attacking your ideas from when they are attacking you, in this case it was the ideas being attacked. No politics involved. Hardly a matter of personal popularity. Elegant has years of bootblacking and published articles to speak for her capability and research.
What exactly is backing your opinion other than annecdotal stories? There is a difference between defending you opinion and being defensive personally.

If you had read carefully you would have noticed the simple difference between what you proposed and what Elegant said was two basic ideas.

1. Becareful which Saddle Oil you use some have ingredients that are debatable as to how good they are for leather.
    a. those addatives may not be listed on the labels so get an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) 

2. Neatsfoot Oil- mentioned several things you have to be careful about with it. What exactly about the cautionaries are you saying is in error.
    a. that it does not rot cotton stitching?
    b.That it does not darken lighter colored leathers?
    c. that the light oil consistancy does not make it easy to over use?
   
    If your experience differs in this area then by all means be specific about what you disagree with.

If you have qualifications that might give weight to your opinion then it's not bragging to put them forth when they have direct bearing on the matter at hand,
otherwise why would we have a difference between a doctors opinion and a laymans.






(in reply to NajaNivea)
Profile   Post #: 11
RE: Softening leather - 3/24/2008 10:58:24 PM   
NajaNivea


Posts: 14
Joined: 3/4/2008
Status: offline
quote:

What exactly about the cautionaries are you saying is in error.

If your experience differs in this area then by all means be specific about what you disagree with.

If you have qualifications that might give weight to your opinion then it's not bragging to put them forth when they have direct bearing on the matter at hand,
otherwise why would we have a difference between a doctors opinion and a laymans.
(snipped for brevity)
I never said anything was in error; as you can clearly see, all I said was that we'd had different experiences in regard to both. I didn't ask to be involved in a pissing match or challenge anyone's qualifications or ask for a CV, did I?
I'm a professional leatherworker, have worked in biomedical research and applied science my entire adult life, have a college degree, and am maried to a PhD in molecular biology. I'm quite familiar with the fascinating world of the MSDS and in particular those for the chemicals I handle on a daily basis. I have an educational background and continuing working knowledge in organic, inorganic, physical, and biochemistry. I've raised livestock, butchered and skinned them, and tanned my own skins. I've sold thousands of pieces of leather gear and worked many, many hides.

But who cares? If y'all want to be the resident experts, be my guest. I certainly never applied for the job.
Again, all I'm saying is that we've clearly had different experiences when it comes to the use of neet's foot and saddle oils and the reconditioning of commercially produced leather dog collars.

Best,
~Nivea

< Message edited by NajaNivea -- 3/24/2008 11:02:09 PM >

(in reply to Archer)
Profile   Post #: 12
RE: Softening leather - 3/25/2008 12:03:05 AM   
NajaNivea


Posts: 14
Joined: 3/4/2008
Status: offline 		And, you know, like I also said--I'm new here and have absolutely zero interest in stepping on anyone's toes or quibbling with anyone.
I have a particular interest in dog collars, as that's my area of specialty, and just wanted to help.
Good luck with your new collar, MissAidan.

Best,
~Nivea

(in reply to NajaNivea)
Profile   Post #: 13
RE: Softening leather - 3/25/2008 4:13:06 AM   
MsStarlett


Posts: 1879
Joined: 12/23/2007
Status: offline 		**Could someone please pass the popcorn?**

I'm starting to feel like I'm back in the Deep Impact demo watching to Doms trying to knock eachother off balance.  Kind of exciting in a way.

Long & Short:  Different people have different fields of expertise.  Doesn't mean that anyone is right or wrong, just that they may be looking at two sides of the same coin.  *shrug*

Me?  I don't know Jack about leather, so any information or advice is greatly appreciated.

I'm a professional costumer and an amature haunter.  If you want to know where to buy fake fur or how to build a dungeon wall out of styrofoam and monster mud...  I'm your information girl!  But then, I'm sure someone else would have a totally different opinion on that subject as well.

(in reply to NajaNivea)
Profile   Post #: 14
RE: Softening leather - 3/25/2008 5:21:23 AM   
DesFIP


Posts: 25191
Joined: 11/25/2007
From: Apple County NY
Status: offline 		On tack we use Bick's 4 for dark leathers and Bicks One for light colored ones. From the tack shop. But very stiff dark leather goods are soaked in oil overnight and then rubbed a lot.

Or you could just keep rubbing it between your hands to soften it up. Your own skin oils will eventually do the trick.

_____________________________

Slave to laundry

Cynical and proud of it!


(in reply to MsStarlett)
Profile   Post #: 15
RE: Softening leather - 3/25/2008 5:34:34 AM   
Elegant


Posts: 1024
Joined: 3/15/2005
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: NajaNivea

I'm a professional leatherworker, have worked in biomedical research and applied science my entire adult life, have a college degree, and am maried to a PhD in molecular biology. I'm quite familiar with the fascinating world of the MSDS and in particular those for the chemicals I handle on a daily basis. I have an educational background and continuing working knowledge in organic, inorganic, physical, and biochemistry. I've raised livestock, butchered and skinned them, and tanned my own skins. I've sold thousands of pieces of leather gear and worked many, many hides.

But who cares? If y'all want to be the resident experts, be my guest. I certainly never applied for the job.
Again, all I'm saying is that we've clearly had different experiences when it comes to the use of neet's foot and saddle oils and the reconditioning of commercially produced leather dog collars.

Best,
~Nivea


When I need expert advise on how to care for dog collars to be used on a canine I will remember to ask you.

As to experience...I am experienced in human temporary piercing and flesh hooks but would never try to provide technical and medical advise on the subjects.

If you have the experience then more power to you. If you have the technical resources/scientific background/education then why not use it to it's advantage?




_____________________________

Elegant
~Slave To Master Archer

http://www.FantasiesInLeather.com

(in reply to NajaNivea)
Profile   Post #: 16
RE: Softening leather - 3/25/2008 5:40:03 AM   
Archer


Posts: 3207
Joined: 3/11/2005
Status: offline 		LOL Ms Starlett. I love that class.

Problem is I think a simple matter of the hazards of the internet as a communication forum.
No non verbal hints as to motivations, inflections, or sub texts. So folks (sometimes including myself) put in the inflections they think aplly. Even when trying to clarify that no the reader has put in all sorts of motivations and inflections that just were not there, it seems to take several posts somedays. Really though nothing personal on this end.







(in reply to MsStarlett)
Profile   Post #: 17
RE: Softening leather - 3/25/2008 5:46:07 AM   
Elegant


Posts: 1024
Joined: 3/15/2005
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: MsStarlett

**Could someone please pass the popcorn?**

I'm starting to feel like I'm back in the Deep Impact demo watching to Doms trying to knock eachother off balance.  Kind of exciting in a way.





I love watching that demo! Anyone can hit and many have experience...but someone who hasn't studied kinesiology, human anatomy and physiology and applied the information to the play can do real damage.

I hope you got over your squick factor


_____________________________

Elegant
~Slave To Master Archer

http://www.FantasiesInLeather.com

(in reply to MsStarlett)
Profile   Post #: 18
RE: Softening leather - 3/25/2008 12:21:21 PM   
NajaNivea


Posts: 14
Joined: 3/4/2008
Status: offline
quote:

Doesn't mean that anyone is right or wrong, just that they may be looking at two sides of the same coin.  *shrug*
Preach it!

quote:

ORIGINAL: Elegant

When I need expert advise on how to care for dog collars to be used on a canine I will remember to ask you.

As to experience...I am experienced in human temporary piercing and flesh hooks but would never try to provide technical and medical advise on the subjects.

If you have the experience then more power to you. If you have the technical resources/scientific background/education then why not use it to it's advantage?

Sigh. You seem determined to try and get a rise out of me. Keep snarking and insinuating all you want, but you'll get no hostility from my end.

Peace,
~Nivea

(in reply to Elegant)
Profile   Post #: 19
Page:   [1]
All Forums >> [Community Discussions] >> Bondage Gear and Apparel >> Softening leather Page: [1]
Jump to:





New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts




Collarchat.com © 2025
Terms of Service Privacy Policy Spam Policy

0.094