alternative to pecards:

e.m.t. jones · Post by **e.m.t. jones** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 2:34 pm

I found this product from leather sheath maker, MONTANA PITCH BLEND, he recommended it for care and water proofing on his sheaths. Just type in the name it should come up, this stuff is great I use this on all my leather gear now, It is a blend of bees wax,pine pitch, and 100% mink oil. I just tried some on my wested and it worked great, your gear will smell like pine for a few days,but it does go away and its not over powering. I belive this web site sells just pure mink oil,this might be what some of need for that SA look after distressing. I know some of us have shyed away from mink oil because its not pure, but this is it, works great on your gun belt, holster,etc. I would not suggest its use on a bull whip without further consult from a trusted whip maker , the wax and pine should be fine not sure about the mink oil. Hope this helps

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 2:48 pm

The problem is, mink oil is mink oil, no matter what you mix it with. Pure or unpure, it still remains an animal product that can attract insects in warmer climes, and can cause leather to stretch if to much is applied over time.

How it this product 'better'?

Regards! Michaelson

e.m.t. jones · Post by **e.m.t. jones** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:44 am

I am finding that it does a better job with water proffing than pecards with less applications. To much of anything is bad for leather including pecards, from what I have read mink oil has gotten a bad rap over the years, mainly due to the byproducts that most companies use in it now.I have no rebutle for the bugs, never heard that one, are you sure its not the byproducts in the oil? This stuff goes on like pecards, its a paste you apply with your fingers and it absorbs very quickly, if you use light coats and dont saturate the leather I dont see how the leather could stretch. I like what it did for the distressing on my jacket, others might not want to follow, as far my leather sheaths and holsters go unless the bugs eat them away completly this what Ill be using, I put three light coats on my sheaths and my raiders holster and the water beads up for minutes(under the faucet) with out wetting the leather, I dont see a need to treat them again until next spring unless they see an unusual amount of wet conditions or they go for a coulple of swims.

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:57 am

No, it's due to it being an animal product that attracts bugs.

Mink oil is great in colder climes, such as where you live in N.H., but it's not pH balanced, and where Pecards was originally created for use to stablize leather collections in museums, and just backed into the consumer market, mink oil and any product using it was specifically made for use in the field.

It's not a 'bad rap', it's just the nature of the product, and not one that is recommended for all locations by leathersmiths. Pecards is.

Sure, I'm bias, but I'm also a user, and have had bad experiences using mink oil in warmer climates. It attracted insects, and mold formed on the leather when the item was in storage. This happened when I lived in Florida. I did NOT have this experience with the product when I lived in Ohio, so it's all based on where you live, and the climate you live in.

Personally, I'd rather use a product that works in all locations, and once I put it away for a season, I'm not wondering if it's molding or being eaten, be the product Pecards or any OTHER comparible product.

That's just me and MY practice, though. Others may vary.

HIGH regards! Michaelson

PyramidBlaster · Post by **PyramidBlaster** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 7:11 am

I concur. I had problems with Mink Oil & mold growth down here in Florida. I've definitely switched to Pecards and Pecards alone now......