How to get new leather/hide old ?

Shakethetrees · 7th October 2014, 04:40 PM

Simply put: were swerving into the territory of organic chemistry.

I'm sure there are ways to help old leather at the theoretical level under strict laboratory conditions.

Most of us out here in the real world do not have the training, facilities or narrowly defined interest to achieve this level of success.

Therefore, I would suggest that the various home remedies and commercial products are not suitable.

Remember that commercial products are developed to appeal to the largest market share they can get. Antique leather is such a minuscule percentage of the leather market at large that this should be evident.

Over time, the chemistry in leather changes as it ages. The proof is surface flaking, red rot, stiffness, brittleness, etc. Something that is formulated for leather in its original state is just not suitable for the different (aged) material.

Martin Lubojacky · 21st October 2014, 06:56 PM

Finally, we made the sheath "somehow old" (ethanol treatment and flame annealing). "Original" sheath looked like this: http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=3912(the sword was bought years ago from Artzi and Avner). The wooden body of the sheath was new that time, so we decided to replace the leather (also new taht time) and the fittings. After several attempts it is not so bad, I think final result is better, than it was before.
Thanks for consultation.
Martin

21st October 2014, 06:56 PM	#2
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Finally, we made the sheath "somehow old" (ethanol treatment and flame annealing). "Original" sheath looked like this: http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=3912(the sword was bought years ago from Artzi and Avner). The wooden body of the sheath was new that time, so we decided to replace the leather (also new taht time) and the fittings. After several attempts it is not so bad, I think final result is better, than it was before. Thanks for consultation. Martin Attached Images

7th October 2014, 04:40 PM	#1
Shakethetrees Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 363	Simply put: were swerving into the territory of organic chemistry. I'm sure there are ways to help old leather at the theoretical level under strict laboratory conditions. Most of us out here in the real world do not have the training, facilities or narrowly defined interest to achieve this level of success. Therefore, I would suggest that the various home remedies and commercial products are not suitable. Remember that commercial products are developed to appeal to the largest market share they can get. Antique leather is such a minuscule percentage of the leather market at large that this should be evident. Over time, the chemistry in leather changes as it ages. The proof is surface flaking, red rot, stiffness, brittleness, etc. Something that is formulated for leather in its original state is just not suitable for the different (aged) material.