Leather belt strips extremely hard

[Clinton007]

Leather belt strips been sitting for over a year and have become extremely hard to punch or carve. What is the best way to case these belts before carving can begin?

[YinTx]

IMO, wet with casing solution, and let set in a casing box overnight.  The moisture and oils will distribute evenly in the leather and help it to carve better.

YinTx

[Clinton007]

Thank you I am busy casing with water for 24 hrs. I do not have casing solution and will try and obtain if the water does not work, but very difficult to get most leather working Equipment in South Africa. Will need to buy online. 

[fredk]

A good dose, but not too much, of neatsfoot oil on them too will maybe soften them. You'd need to let the NFO soak in for a few days at least before the leather shows much difference

[Clinton007]

Thanks will try that and see how it works out.

[Nyckname]

Tooling leather? Were they exposed to light? That affects the quality of the leather, and it'll never be quite right again. You need to store tooling leather in the dark.