Return Softness To Veg. Tanned Leather

[niniquesvk]

Howdy!

I made my first attempt at bag that has stitches hidden inside (it is turned inside out after sewing). However while trying to turn it inside out, I discovered that I used too thick leather (veg. tanned) and I simply was not able to turn it inside out without damaging it.

So, being desperate, I showered whole thing with water and then it turned inside out pretty easily. However, now, after drying, leather hardened and its too stiff and hard, almost like a cardboard. I cant imagine using it as a bag in this state.

Is there any way to return softness to leather that was in water?

And what if that happened to product while normal, every day usage? It can get wet in rain for example. How to protect veg. tanned leather products from getting too hard after contact with water?

Im total begginner and Im aware that these questions are very basic, but I could not find any sensible answer with google.

Thanks a lot.

[venator]

Neatsfoot oil, mink oil etc. Just be aware it may darken the leather but a few light coats of that should help a great deal. Also remember that multiple light coats are better than one heavy coat.

[Red Cent]

add Extra Virgin Olive Oil to the mix.

[Dwight]

You can also hand flex the piece.

Veggie tan will get hard, . . . but you subject it to multiple bends, . . . squashing, . . . etc, . . . it'll go soft again.

May God bless,

Dwight

[grmnsplx]

Sounds fine to me. If you think the leather is dry and may crack, oil it or use a conditioner. Otherwise, it will soften with use.

[venator]

add Extra Virgin Olive Oil to the mix.

The only challenge here is it could go rancid.

[Colt W Knight]

The only challenge here is it could go rancid.

extra virgin olive oil wont. I have used it for nearly 20 years on horse tack, but other types of olive oil will and most vegetables oils will.

Edited January 24, 2016 by Colt W Knight