Leather Care Question

[KevDen2005]

My safe is in my garage and I have several fixed blade knives in it. As you can imagine it has gotten extremely cold in the garage the past few days/nights. I have noticed on the leather sheaths have some discoloration and a hard film on them. Can someone tell me the appropriate way to care for the sheaths.

Thanks.

[StagLefty]

Red Wing sells a boot oil that I picked up when I bought their boots. I've used it on belts and sheaths and it seems to protect them. But I don't know about the cold storage application you have.
It may be that whatever protection was on them is freezing ?

[Irving]

Look up a product called Obenauffs. Definitely check the spelling on that.

[BPTactical]

Most oils will soften the leather too much.
Lexol is what you want, it nourishes the leather without adding oil, which will cause the leather fibers to eventually break down.
Trust me on this, it is recommended for fine saddlery.

[Zundfolge]

If there's any way to move the safe into the house you should consider it because what you're noticing with the leather is also probably happening to the steel too (condensation from wide swings in temperature).

[KevDen2005]

If there's any way to move the safe into the house you should consider it because what you're noticing with the leather is also probably happening to the steel too (condensation from wide swings in temperature).

Unfortunately the safe is too wide and heavy

[KevDen2005]

So after a little research I believe I am in the marker for a small safe heater, any recommendations?

[BPTactical]

Golden rod

Morning Kevin

[Harley-FXDWG]

For what its worth you can contact Ed. I know him personally and he knows a thing or two about leather. https://oakbrandleather.com/

[Big E3]

If you can fit knifes into your safe then you don't have enough guns. Fill your safe with guns and put your knifes in a box in the house with your holsters. Problem solved!

[KevDen2005]

If you can fit knifes into your safe then you don't have enough guns. Fill your safe with guns and put your knifes in a box in the house with your holsters. Problem solved!

So I just read, "buy guns"

[KevDen2005]

Golden rod

Morning Kevin

Bert and HBAR,

is this the product?

http://www.amazon.com/GoldenRod-36-inch-Dehumidifier-7D-36/dp/B005FRG6T2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1450631195&sr=8-5&keywords=goldenrod+dehumidifier

[Great-Kazoo]

Bert and HBAR,

is this the product?

http://www.amazon.com/GoldenRod-36-inch-Dehumidifier-7D-36/dp/B005FRG6T2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1450631195&sr=8-5&keywords=goldenrod+dehumidifier

That's the one. OR............ you can use this stuff. A sock or 2 full works for 2-3 months, depending how much humidity there is. Do you have any fans in the garage to move that humidity out of the area? That film on the leather might be remnants of the last leather treatment used.

These cat crystals are the same thing used in those dehumidifier / desiccant packs.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Fresh-Step-Crystals-8lb-Cats/10313505

[brutal]

Most oils will soften the leather too much.
Lexol is what you want, it nourishes the leather without adding oil, which will cause the leather fibers to eventually break down.
Trust me on this, it is recommended for fine saddlery.

Fine cars as well.

[fitz19d]

Was looking at the golden rods, heres one that looks like exact same thing but way cheaper. Unsure if it would be worse like use way more power since it only lists voltage and not wats. Only available in 12 and 18 inch it appears, but should be plenty for my smaller like 6-8 gun equivalent safe.

http://www.amazon.com/Lockdown-222000-Parent-Dehumidifier-Rod/dp/B00WA8FGRW/ref=pd_sim_sbs_201_4?ie=UTF8&dpID=21AMo%2BdcRtL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0WQ0YW3VNQDJFW0EZ2B4

[brutal]

FWIW, I keep a couple rechargeable desiccant boxes in the basement safe and only have to pop them in the oven about once a year after they start to turn pink. I also occasionally rotate in a couple disposable ones from incoming shipments.

[fitz19d]

Would that lexol also be ideal at all for like the fake plastic leather in car/trucks? Trying to find something I like since the typical armorall etc leave such a disgusting film on everything.


As far as safe mines in the garage too. Might fair better since it's got a rubber gasket and somewhat insulated being that it's a converted safe I bought off here a while ago. But for $20 seems like a good cautionary investment.

[BPTactical]

No, don't use the Lexol on synthetic items.

[brutal]

Would that lexol also be ideal at all for like the fake plastic leather in car/trucks? Trying to find something I like since the typical armorall etc leave such a disgusting film on everything.


As far as safe mines in the garage too. Might fair better since it's got a rubber gasket and somewhat insulated being that it's a converted safe I bought off here a while ago. But for $20 seems like a good cautionary investment.

303 Aerospace protectant. http://www.amazon.com/303-30313-CSR-Aerospace-Protectant-Trigger/dp/B00KN0UOEE/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1450646236&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=303+aerospace+protectant&psc=1

Armor-all is evil and just attracts dirt and accelerates wear.

[Irving]

This is the product I was referring to. I've not used it, or cared for leather, so I've no experience with it. Just something I found when I was looking up leather care a few years ago. Thought I'd at least provide the correct spelling.

http://www.obenaufs.com/

[BPTactical]

The 303 is great stuff, we used it on the boat when we had it and it made a huge difference when it came to cleaning it up after a day at the lake. Certainly doesn't leave the slimy finish AA does.
One of the big problems with ArmorAll, it is water based and will eventually wick through the vinyl and cause the cloth backing to rot. When that happens it's all over.

[KevDen2005]

I have a Rhino Ironworks safe, which does not have an electric receptacle inside the safe. I don't know of any holes to run cord or wire out of the safe otherwise. Do you suggest I just run the electric cord out of the door and just be careful in closing the door or are you guys suggesting I do something else?

[opie011]

Does the safe body have a precut hole in the back....if so you just need to cut the fireboard to run a cable inside.

If not, I have a few of these:
https://www.ar-15.co/threads/135451-Eva-Dry%C2%AE-Dehumidifiers-(E-333)

[KevDen2005]

Okay, I believe my safe has a hole designed for it after doing some research.

[KevDen2005]

Does the safe body have a precut hole in the back....if so you just need to cut the fireboard to run a cable inside.

If not, I have a few of these:
https://www.ar-15.co/threads/135451-Eva-Dry%C2%AE-Dehumidifiers-(E-333)

Do you also keep your safe in the garage?

[opie011]

Do you also keep your safe in the garage?

I don't have any safes in my garage but I have one near my swamp cooler that has an Eva-Dry in it and I've had zero issues with moisture.