Removing Black Leather Dye from Brown Leather

[Johnny Peppers]

And please remember, whenever possible leave the leather as is but if something needs to be added to replace lost oils, a light coating of PURE neatsfoot oil is far better than Pecards.

As an educational opportunity, could you provide information as to how neatsfoot oil is far better than Pecards? I have only been using Pecards for 30 plus years, but never too old to learn.

Information

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[gew8805]

As an educational opportunity, could you provide information as to how neatsfoot oil is far better than Pecards? I have only been using Pecards for 30 plus years, but never too old to learn.

Certainly. For short term use on non-archival materials (those without historic importance) Pecards is a fine product. Work boots, belts for everyday use, reenactors' accoutrements and other common items for everyday use can be safely treated with Pecards and most other modern "preservatives" with no damage whatsoever, as a matter of fact the use of a treatment like Pecards (in all it's different forms) will benefit working leather that will be used and, at the end of it's useful life, disposed of. But for antique leather that should be preserved for the future do as little as possible and that most certainly means that you should avoid putting petroleum products on them. Yes, Pecards contains petroleum products, read the label. An historic item like a Civil War Cartridge box or belt, a WW1 leather jerkin or Leather P14 gear and German accoutrements should not have the Pecards treatment. This also includes your grandfather's knife scabbard that may be passed on to your grandchildren.

30 years is not a long time for an inanimate object, it will long outlive you. Careful handling of old leather will do far more in protecting it than will slathering goo on it. Keep it in an area with controlled humidity (60% - 70%) and keep it out of direct sunlight and at a constant temperature. If on display in an open area, keep it clean – wipe off dust. If you absolutely have to do something to re-moisturize the leather, use PURE neatsfoot oil but only a light amount, too much oil will damage the leather by causing swelling of the grain and eventual hardening bringing about cracking and crazing.

[Johnny Peppers]

Yes, 30 years is a not a long time, as I have a Randall knife sheath my father treated regular with Neatsfoot oil starting about 1973, and today the leather is coming apart. It never had any Pecards used on it, and no need to bother today as the leather is too far gone. Neatsfoot oil is good for your boots that you probably won't wear over 5 years, but not your prized leather.
The two Randall knives shown below have each had their sheaths treated with a preservative. The top knife was made about 1960 and has had Pecards used on it for the last 30 or so years. The bottom knife was bought for my dad about 1973 and he treated it with Neatsfoot oil.
It is recognized that Neatsfoot oil darkens the leather.