Holster Interior Treatment?

[Jon in GA]

Hello all. I'm pretty new to leatherwork, and have been making some holsters, mag pouches, etc., with the help from some books on the craft and this forum.

I recently finished my first "good" holster (as in, the first one I'm actually proud of and don't mind showing people!), for a Kahr CW9, and will post some pics soon. I do have a question, though.

What do you all use on the inside of your holsters, if anything?

A little background: I made a pancake style OWB based on the pattern pack sold by Springfield Leather. I vinagarooned the leather after construction and molding. The leather I used was a double shoulder from Sprinfield, which had a nice smooth back, so I didn't think about doing anything to it. After wet molding and vinagarooning, however, the leather roughened up some on the inside.

Now, it's not really that bad, and I can live with it, but I would prefer it be a bit smoother. I know I've seen reference to using Gum Trag, and I have some of that, but didn't think to use it.

So I guess my question is actually two parts: What do you use on your holster interiors 1) Before stitching and/or 2) after the holster is completed, if it needs a little touch up.

Thanks!

[katsass]

From the grump: I just use a coat of neatsfoot oil on the interior of my holsters. Mike

[Jon in GA]

Thanks Mike. I'd assume a pretty light coat, so you don't make the leather too soft? I made that mistake on my first holster attempt - oiled the leather to compensate for the drying from the vinagaroon, as I'd seen here on the forums, only missed the part about a "light" coat of oil. I oiled the heck out of it! Holster still works, just didn't mold very well, and I couldn't get the edges to burnish much at all. Lesson learned.

[particle]

Hi Jon - I use gum trag on the interior just prior to applying my finish coat. Rub it on with a dauber, then slick it with a smoothing tool of some sort (I use a wooden tool for clay modeling I've had since the 90's) that I bought at an art supply store.

[IngleGunLeather]

+1 on the Gum Trag.

[Jon in GA]

Thanks guys!