A mandingo sword

Michel · 9th March 2007, 04:37 PM

I have received from an old uncle, this superb Sudanese (old French Sudan, now Senegal) sword. (my guess : early XXth century)
One of the buckle with the big button, has its strap broken and overall the leather seems rather dry and brittle.
Any advice on how to maintain the leather ?
Thanks
Michel

Rick · 9th March 2007, 04:56 PM

www.leathertherapy.com
This stuff will darken the leather somewhat; still it's one of the best leather restorers and preservative currently on the market.
I don't know if it's available in Europa; possibly they will ship overseas.

Michel · 9th March 2007, 05:05 PM

Thank you Rick, I will try to find here. Or I will have to import a gallon of it to make it worth the transport !
Thanks
Michel

Rick · 9th March 2007, 05:10 PM

Hi Michel,
It will be a challenge to do the fringed parts...

Anyway it's good stuff; about the consistency of thick vegetable oil.

Lew · 9th March 2007, 07:28 PM

KIWI NEUTRAL SHOE POLISH PASTE IS WHAT I USE.

LEW

Ferguson · 10th March 2007, 12:37 AM

I like Pecard's Antique Leather Dressing as well as the Leather Therapy.

http://www.pecard.com/store.php/

Steve

Tim Simmons · 10th March 2007, 09:01 AM

Nothing will really magic old leather back to normal sadly

. But I have found that olive oil will soak in very well. It will darken the the leather for a while but no harm. Dubbin is also very good, you know how it can revive and waterproof an old pair of boots.

Michel · 10th March 2007, 12:11 PM

Thanks to all of you for giving your advice.
I first followed Rick's recommendation and contact Leathertherapy in the US.
They have no representative in Europe and the very amiable lady recognized that transport would cost more than the value of the product and than insisted that I should take the tel N° and email address of their company in Australia !
May be they could ship cheaper !
Geography is not an inborn quality !
I like the simple Olive oil suggestion. I will try it. It may take a while in view of the many fringed parts !
Thanks
Michel

Rick · 10th March 2007, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Nothing will really magic old leather back to normal sadly

. But I have found that olive oil will soak in very well. It will darken the the leather for a while but no harm. Dubbin is also very good, you know how it can revive and waterproof an old pair of boots.

True, but it will do nothing to prevent mold / mildew .

9th March 2007, 04:37 PM	#1
Michel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Switzerland Posts: 139	A mandingo sword I have received from an old uncle, this superb Sudanese (old French Sudan, now Senegal) sword. (my guess : early XXth century) One of the buckle with the big button, has its strap broken and overall the leather seems rather dry and brittle. Any advice on how to maintain the leather ? Thanks Michel Attached Images

9th March 2007, 04:56 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	www.leathertherapy.com This stuff will darken the leather somewhat; still it's one of the best leather restorers and preservative currently on the market. I don't know if it's available in Europa; possibly they will ship overseas.

9th March 2007, 05:05 PM	#3
Michel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Switzerland Posts: 139	Thank you Rick, I will try to find here. Or I will have to import a gallon of it to make it worth the transport ! Thanks Michel

9th March 2007, 05:10 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Hi Michel, It will be a challenge to do the fringed parts... Anyway it's good stuff; about the consistency of thick vegetable oil.

9th March 2007, 07:28 PM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	KIWI NEUTRAL SHOE POLISH PASTE IS WHAT I USE. LEW

10th March 2007, 12:37 AM	#6
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	I like Pecard's Antique Leather Dressing as well as the Leather Therapy. http://www.pecard.com/store.php/ Steve

10th March 2007, 09:01 AM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Nothing will really magic old leather back to normal sadly . But I have found that olive oil will soak in very well. It will darken the the leather for a while but no harm. Dubbin is also very good, you know how it can revive and waterproof an old pair of boots.

10th March 2007, 12:11 PM	#8
Michel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Switzerland Posts: 139	Thanks to all of you for giving your advice. I first followed Rick's recommendation and contact Leathertherapy in the US. They have no representative in Europe and the very amiable lady recognized that transport would cost more than the value of the product and than insisted that I should take the tel N° and email address of their company in Australia ! May be they could ship cheaper ! Geography is not an inborn quality ! I like the simple Olive oil suggestion. I will try it. It may take a while in view of the many fringed parts ! Thanks Michel