k98 sling

[dutch2770]

Any recommendations on how to age a new K98 sling. Ive had someone suggest soaking it in motor oil but that doesnt seem to safe to me.

[gurowski]

Any recommendations on how to age a new K98 sling. Ive had someone suggest soaking it in motor oil but that doesnt seem to safe to me.

Why would you want to age a sling? If you are reenacting WW2, then the sling would be new issue wouldn't it.

[Brigardefuhrer]

I suggest you buy some 'hide' food and rub it in the leather,its not "ageing",but it will preserve the leather as well as softning and make it supple.

[42gunner]

I also got one of those dark brown repro slings, the brown coloring is starting to crack at the places where it's been bent.
is there a way to remedy this with an actual leather protection product?
or to make it less stiff?

[Franz repper]

Ledderfett works well

[Peter Bauer]

Yes, leather grease etc. work well on dry leather. You should always use it with your leather things, makes them last longer.

[PanzerMart]

we used to use a product called Ko cho line for all our leather stuff, works great for keeping leather in good nick....it will however darken any lighter tan leathers. you can get it from any good saddlers or from ebay

[Gott Mit Uns]

we used to use a product called Ko cho line for all our leather stuff, works great for keeping leather in good nick....it will however darken any lighter tan leathers. you can get it from any good saddlers or from ebay

ko-cho-line is reeeeeeeallly good at preserving leather work. I have an original map case that was starting to crack etc, I rubbed several courses in over a period of two months and havent touched it since. I Opened the draw about 2 weeks ago and it was in perfect nick with no deteriation other than what had already occured before preservation.

[42gunner]

this exact can?



does it do anything about repairing cracks or is that even possible?

[PanzerMart]

this exact can?



does it do anything about repairing cracks or is that even possible?

Thats the stuff and no you cant repair cracks in leather it will however prevent the cracks from getting bigger or tearing.

[42gunner]

Im saying that because there are 2 creases in the sling (1 from the forward sling mount and 1 from the buttstock hole) There are more cracks at points where its bent and if it that was put under strain...it might start breaking down the road.

I use it to steady my left hand when shooting long range, so it needs to be tight.
This is my first time working with leather (I usually use the modern nylon stuff) and I was afraid leather might break on me one day.

leather is pretty nostalgic for military equipment and Im sure the old guys swore by it...I just wanna know it's limits.

[PanzerMart]

pop some of that grease on the sling you'll be ok providing you dont use the sling like something from diehard or mission impossible it should last fine.

If you do ever get a cut in it grab a leather hole punch and pop the smallest diamter hole at each end of the cut stops it tearing

[Gott Mit Uns]

Sounds like you need a new sling. Leather is good if you look after it. The moment you stop looking after it...it doesnt look after you.

[42gunner]

Sounds like you need a new sling. Leather is good if you look after it. The moment you stop looking after it...it doesnt look after you.

The cracks are microscopic, I just dont want them to grow through wear and tear. Or for the sling to go weak at those points, 2-3 years down the line.

[Gott Mit Uns]

2-3 years downline? Who cares? Its only like £8 for a new one. Its just one of those things. That being said, mines been going strong for 2 years - but its not like I use the weapon...(its deactivated).