What Next?

[stelhrse]

Good Morning All,

I recently finished tooling and finishing a belt. It has an antique finish. I buffed the daylights out of it and there is no residual finish coming off now. My question: Do I need to apply neatfoot oil or similar to help restoe the belts flexibility and softness. Its a 1 1/2 inch blank that I used. The edges are finished with water and then canvas to finish off the edges. What products would you recommend to finish off hte belt? Thanks very much for your help.

[JoeSnuffie]

I use neatsfoot on all veg tanned belts. I didn't on two early belts I made myself and both started to crack where my holster sits because of the additional stress. This hasn't happened on any belt treated with neatsfoot. I haven't treated any belts made with harness leather because they're already oily and waxy and I haven't had any issues with them. Someone who makes more belts than me may have a better answer.

Edited July 24, 2014 by JoeSnuffie

[stelhrse]

Thanks Joe. Do you treat both sides of the leather of just the flesh side? How many coats do you apply? Thanks for responding to my questions. I ma farily new to this and want to do it right the first ime if I can.