soften a gordy strap?

back alley · 05-30-2012

i have a few of gordy's fine straps and with time i know that they soften up pretty well...but i'm wondering if there is a way to speed the process a bit?

helenhill · 05-30-2012

Wax... PURRfect for Leather

shoe leather wax or Liberon tinted Furniture Wax
Both are Superb !

Jack Conrad · 05-30-2012

American Indians would chew on leather to soften it.

Keith · 05-30-2012

One thing I've noticed about good leather is that there seems to be little way of softening it aside from normal and natural usage. There's all sorts of treatments out there but they don't age it, they saturate it in some goop that makes it feel slippery or tacky.

Whenever I used to buy a new bike jacket I would wear it as much as possible to shorten the process. The combination of constant movement and warmth from the body is what softens heavy leather in jackets so I imagine a Gordy strap would be much the same. I'd suggest rolling it up and putting it in a pocket ... or maybe around the waist as a belt!

Keith · 05-30-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Conrad

American Indians would chew on leather to soften it.

LOL ...that would work!

fireblade · 05-30-2012

down here we have 2 products (dubbin & waproo) specifically for softening leather, both shoe store products.....you guys should have similar there.

helenhill · 05-30-2012

sorry Keith but the shoe leather wax does WORK ( & Liberon Wax for furniture)
The leather absorbs the wax beautifully
giving it a softer edge and tinted waxes are cool because they can Enhance the color

I am Partial to waxes, perhaps abit of a junkie
when I do Decorative Finishes...like Antiquing/Patinas for wood furniture, Wax on Venetian Plaster Walls

Keith · 05-30-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by helenhill

sorry Keith but the shoe leather wax does WORK ( & Liberon Wax for furniture)
The leather absorbs the wax beautifully
giving it a softer edge and tinted waxes are cool because they can Enhance the color

I am Partial to waxes, perhaps abit of a junkie
when I do Decorative Finishes...like Antiquing/Patinas for wood furniture, Wax on Venetian Plaster Walls

I still like Jack's idea of chewing it though ... I can see Joe doing that while moderating the forums!

I meant to add ... have you ever seen a Gordy strap Helen? The leather is so thick they are nearly square!

digitalintrigue · 05-30-2012

I bought a couple of Gordy's a while back but the leather rubs the skin raw on my wrist ...would be nice to somehow soften them up.

ChrisP · 05-31-2012

You're backwards on this. You should be trying to toughen your wrists not soften your strap!

I had the same thing when I got my Gordy Strap. If you just use it will soften up pretty quickly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitalintrigue

I bought a couple of Gordy's a while back but the leather rubs the skin raw on my wrist ...would be nice to somehow soften them up.

photony texas · 05-31-2012

I use 3 Gordy wrist straps, all soft as butter now, but it took awhile. Cant praise enough how much I like them.

semilog · 05-31-2012

http://www.langlitz.com/leather-dressing/

carpark · 05-31-2012

I have used dubbin before on something else and it worked a treat. Not sticky afterwards as well

VictorM. · 05-31-2012

Maybe someone could trade an already softened strap for a newer one...?

kshapero · 05-31-2012

I now feel courageous enough to admit that I chewed mine!!!

Pastor Chris · 05-31-2012

Sorry to a slightly afield of the topic, but I have trouble discerning the attractiveness of the Gordy's straps and wrist straps. I would love to hear why people seem to love them so. I will understand any comments that say, "buy one and you will see", but they are not especially helpful. So, please witness to their quality and attractiveness. "Preach it" a little, to use my own context.

back alley · 05-31-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pastor Chris

Sorry to a slightly afield of the topic, but I have trouble discerning the attractiveness of the Gordy's straps and wrist straps. I would love to hear why people seem to love them so. I will understand any comments that say, "buy one and you will see", but they are not especially helpful. So, please witness to their quality and attractiveness. "Preach it" a little, to use my own context.

the price is extremely attractive...especially considering that you can get a custom length at no added cost.
that means, for me, that i can get a 62 inch strap that wraps around my girth with the camera remaining at hip level...my preferred resting place.

the biggest thing is that once they soften up a bit they 'stay out of the way' when i'm shooting...they are silent...pliable and thin but strong.
one could garrotte another with relative ease...

back alley · 05-31-2012

the 'net' says to open the leather with rubbing alcohol and then use petroleum jelly on the leather to soften.

i tried it with the alcohol and then some beeswax plus lanolin...it's hanging on a doorknob now...i'll let you know if it worked.

kshapero · 05-31-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by back alley

the price is extremely attractive...especially considering that you can get a custom length at no added cost.
that means, for me, that i can get a 62 inch strap that wraps around my girth with the camera remaining at hip level...my preferred resting place.

the biggest thing is that once they soften up a bit they 'stay out of the way' when i'm shooting...they are silent...pliable and thin but strong.
one could garrotte another with relative ease...

Well put. Custom sizing is important to me, too. And it real becomes invisible with use.

Pastor Chris · 05-31-2012

Alcohol and petroleum jelly sounds like a bad recipie for leather.

Pastor Chris · 05-31-2012

I use bear fat, available from muzzleloading supply houses for leather, and for llubricating patches for shooting. It has one of the highest amounts of lanolin of any natural fat. Pretty amazing stuff.

Keith · 05-31-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by back alley

the price is extremely attractive...especially considering that you can get a custom length at no added cost.
that means, for me, that i can get a 62 inch strap that wraps around my girth with the camera remaining at hip level...my preferred resting place.

the biggest thing is that once they soften up a bit they 'stay out of the way' when i'm shooting...they are silent...pliable and thin but strong.
one could garrotte another with relative ease...

I have to say all my straps are silent ... I think it's their shy nature!

back alley · 05-31-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

I have to say all my straps are silent ... I think it's their shy nature!

but not the ones that have quick release or metal clips etc.

back alley · 05-31-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pastor Chris

Alcohol and petroleum jelly sounds like a bad recipie for leather.

i did use the alcohol but noe the jelly...i used beeswax with lanolin and waterproofing added.

and i have to say that it worked great. my new strap is now pretty soft and the rough edged side is smoother.

i am working on my older straps now.

Pastor Chris · 05-31-2012

In the beeswax/lanolin/waterproofer you used a home brew concoction or an off the shelf product?