Storing falls

[bluzharp]

I have a couple of new whitehide falls, and I was wondering how to preserve them. Will they keep in a plastic baggy greased with pecards?

[McFly]

Actually I'm wondering the same thing...

When I originally bought my whip a few years ago, Mr. Stenhouse graciously sent me an extra whitehide whip for free, because he wasn't sold on the quality of the first one he'd put on. He said whenever I needed to, to just switch them out... this turned out to be several months later. During that time, I just kept the fall (it didn't come in a baggie) sitting in my closet. When I put THAT fall on, I didn't notice any existing deterioration, but I did give it a *good* coat of Pecards before I used it that first time.

I'm not sure if we keep them in these bags though if they'll be alright, or if they won't be able to "breathe" in there and might suffer some damage from that.

Good question!
Shane

[BullWhipBorton]

Thats pretty much how I store them. Just keep them well coated and store them in a baggie. Be careful with the type of bags you use though, stuff like Ziploc food bags don't do well for long term storage. Empty saddle soap tins work well too.

Dan

[McFly]

I'll just leave mine in the bag Dave Morgan sent it in - it's like a ziploc bag but without the zip on it, so that it's open on top. Good news though that it'll keep!

Shane

[Canasta]

A good coating of Pecards and throw them in a plastic baggie. Seal them good.
I usually have quite a few falls stashed in plastic baggies this way. I've had some for a year or more and they are doing fine.
Check them once in a while. If need be, just put a little Pecards in the bag with them.

Dan,
I like the Saddle Soap tin idea.

C

[Sergei]

I invested in one of those vacuum seal bag machines. I buy a bunch of falls, grease them and then vacuum seal them.

[Castor Dioscuri]

Be careful with the type of bags you use though, stuff like Ziploc food bags don't do well for long term storage. Empty saddle soap tins work well too.

I invested in one of those vacuum seal bag machines. I buy a bunch of falls, grease them and then vacuum seal them.

Hmm, wouldn't a vacuum sealed bag be bad for a fall though in the same way a ziploc bag would? Or do you mean just for short term storage? Having contradicting advice from the resident experts doesn't bode well!

And regarding saddle soap tins, wouldn't keeping strips of leather in total darkness also be bad for them and promote mildew and other nasty stuff?

[McFly]

Boy, Castor... you just had to come in and ruin everybody's advice, didn't ya? You sure know how to end a party...!

Shane

[Sergei]

Be careful with the type of bags you use though, stuff like Ziploc food bags don't do well for long term storage. Empty saddle soap tins work well too.

I invested in one of those vacuum seal bag machines. I buy a bunch of falls, grease them and then vacuum seal them.

Hmm, wouldn't a vacuum sealed bag be bad for a fall though in the same way a ziploc bag would? Or do you mean just for short term storage? Having contradicting advice from the resident experts doesn't bode well!

And regarding saddle soap tins, wouldn't keeping strips of leather in total darkness also be bad for them and promote mildew and other nasty stuff?

A vacuum sealed bag totally eliminates oxygen or any other gases. There is no spoilage. Putting anything in ziploc bags doesn't solve the oxidation issue, does it? So Sable, we are both right. I have taken the argument to the next level, right?

[Castor Dioscuri]

Boy, Castor... you just had to come in and ruin everybody's advice, didn't ya? You sure know how to end a party...!

Shane

Where's Michaelson's plymouth when you need it? Never a good idea to ruin a weapon-masters' party!

[BullWhipBorton]

You know, I’ve never had any mold or mildew issues with stored leather falls. I store them in plastic bags, inside a wooden box with all my other whip maintenance supplies. I keep them well greased though with pecards which I can’t see as being a very favorable agent for mold or mildew growth. I do check on them occasionally though. 13+ years doing it this way and no problems yet.

I tend to only keep a small supply of spare falls on hand though 4 or 5, I really don’t change them that often. With a storage tin I suppose you could put poke a couple holes in the top to promote some air circulation. The plastic bags just keep you from getting leather dressing all over everything else. The problem with some PVC type Ziploc bags though is the bags themselves. They tend to deteriorate over time. If you ever pick up one that’s been lying around for a couple years, it sometimes has a sticky or oily feel. It’s why its not recommend to store things like baseball cards and other valuables in them for long periods.

Also, Don’t store redhide falls mixed in with whitehide falls the red can stain the white and you'll have candy cane colored falls.

P.S. they are not weapons they are agricultural instruments!

Dan

[McFly]

P.S. they are not weapons they are agricultural instruments!

Amen!!!

Shane

[rjallen70]

Storage? I just cut a new nylon one off the roll.

[Castor Dioscuri]

Empty saddle soap tins work well too.

I tried storing two of Joe Strain's latigo falls in an empty saddle soap tin, but the falls are just too darned long! For the time being though, I'm keeping them in one of those transparent food containers.