Daywear Sporran - leather finishing?

[kilted redleg]

I agree with Tobus, though new to the forum I'm not new to the world of leather [law enforcement 26 yrs]. I had Donnie Wyvern of Wyvern Leatherworks make me a brown day sporran in the US Army insignia [full eagle not lone star]. He advised to let the sporran air dry the just shine it! I contacted Robert MacDonald of west coast kilts in Canada due to his service in the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. He told me the same thing Tobus stated you want something that will seal and protect the leather while allowing it to breathe. He recommended neutral shoe polish as brown polish may darken the leather, much like a shoe apply polish let sit a few minutes then buff with a brush and finish with a soft rag. He closed by saying "don't do what some strange people do and spit shine your sporran. Nobody wears a spit shined sporran." Hope this helps.

[Blaidd]

I agree with Tobus, though new to the forum I'm not new to the world of leather [law enforcement 26 yrs]. I had Donnie Wyvern of Wyvern Leatherworks make me a brown day sporran in the US Army insignia [full eagle not lone star]. He advised to let the sporran air dry the just shine it! I contacted Robert MacDonald of west coast kilts in Canada due to his service in the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. He told me the same thing Tobus stated you want something that will seal and protect the leather while allowing it to breathe. He recommended neutral shoe polish as brown polish may darken the leather, much like a shoe apply polish let sit a few minutes then buff with a brush and finish with a soft rag. He closed by saying "don't do what some strange people do and spit shine your sporran. Nobody wears a spit shined sporran." Hope this helps.

Sound advice, but be wary of some the 'cheaper' neutral shoe products; they contain additives that will darken the leather in an uneven way. Regrettably, this doesn't 'imitate' natural weathering.

[Dughlas mor]

I think that I would finish a piece of scrap with the atom wax and rub it on a scrap of cloth and see what happens. I like the satiny look of atom wax too. Haven`t used it on a sporran, but I have used it on belts and such. I have a feeling it would be OK.

[MNlad]

I've used Atom Wax on the stiff leather of several sporrans with no problems. Since you've used it before, you're probably aware that it often will lift some of the excess dye from the surface of an unfinished project when first applied. After it is set and buffed it provides some water repellency with a nice satin sheen. However, it doesn't play well with soft leathers. As noted by others, the best advice is to try it on some scrap leather and cloth before plunging ahead.