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I've been wearing my leather IWB Holster for a month and it makes a creaking noise when I move in certain angles. Mostly when I bend forward. It seems to be broken in. Is there a way to make it quite?

Mink oil will soften the leather and make less squeak, but soft leather can make holstering more dangerous as the leather is more apt to collapse. Personally, I've found that just constant wear and movement will eventually cause the leather to fully break in and make less noise. Now, if its a leather/kydex combo like a Kholster, I wouldn't hesitate to mink oil the leather.

RottenApple wrote:Mink oil will soften the leather and make less squeak, but soft leather can make holstering more dangerous as the leather is more apt to collapse. Personally, I've found that just constant wear and movement will eventually cause the leather to fully break in and make less noise. Now, if its a leather/kydex combo like a Kholster, I wouldn't hesitate to mink oil the leather.

I would not do mink oil at all. That stuff can make leather floppy. The squeak sounds cool anyway. It will quieten down the longer you wear it. AGAIN... REPEAT AFTER ME... NO MINK OIL! LOL. I made that mistake twenty some odd years ago and ruined a perfectly good leather holster.

03Lightningrocks wrote:

RottenApple wrote:Mink oil will soften the leather and make less squeak, but soft leather can make holstering more dangerous as the leather is more apt to collapse. Personally, I've found that just constant wear and movement will eventually cause the leather to fully break in and make less noise. Now, if its a leather/kydex combo like a Kholster, I wouldn't hesitate to mink oil the leather.

I would not do mink oil at all. That stuff can make leather floppy. The squeak sounds cool anyway. It will quieten down the longer you wear it. AGAIN... REPEAT AFTER ME... NO MINK OIL! LOL. I made that mistake twenty some odd years ago and ruined a perfectly good leather holster.

It is a leather/kydex combo. I guess I skip the mink oil and wait for it to break in. It's not that bad.

03Lightningrocks wrote:

RottenApple wrote:Mink oil will soften the leather and make less squeak, but soft leather can make holstering more dangerous as the leather is more apt to collapse. Personally, I've found that just constant wear and movement will eventually cause the leather to fully break in and make less noise. Now, if its a leather/kydex combo like a Kholster, I wouldn't hesitate to mink oil the leather.

I would not do mink oil at all. That stuff can make leather floppy. The squeak sounds cool anyway. It will quieten down the longer you wear it. AGAIN... REPEAT AFTER ME... NO MINK OIL! LOL. I made that mistake twenty some odd years ago and ruined a perfectly good leather holster.

The Kholster is a leather back w/ kydex actually holding the pistol. I've minked 3 of them with nary a problem. Now, if we're taking about an all leather holster like my El Paso Sadlery or Galco SOB, I'd agree with you 100%.

RottenApple wrote:

03Lightningrocks wrote:

RottenApple wrote:Mink oil will soften the leather and make less squeak, but soft leather can make holstering more dangerous as the leather is more apt to collapse. Personally, I've found that just constant wear and movement will eventually cause the leather to fully break in and make less noise. Now, if its a leather/kydex combo like a Kholster, I wouldn't hesitate to mink oil the leather.

I would not do mink oil at all. That stuff can make leather floppy. The squeak sounds cool anyway. It will quieten down the longer you wear it. AGAIN... REPEAT AFTER ME... NO MINK OIL! LOL. I made that mistake twenty some odd years ago and ruined a perfectly good leather holster.

The Kholster is a leather back w/ kydex actually holding the pistol. I've minked 3 of them with nary a problem. Now, if we're taking about an all leather holster like my El Paso Sadlery or Galco SOB, I'd agree with you 100%.

Yeah... I have a couple crossbreed holsters which have a design like you mentioned. I wouldn't mink oil them because I wouldn't want that stuff rubbing my skin and it is not really needed. My body oils had all of mine broke in after about three weeks to a month of wear.

But more to the point... I agree... Mink oil won't cause kydex any trouble. Leather holsters... Don't do it.

when mine get the squeaks I dust with a litlle baby/talcum powder...so far no problems

TexasFlash wrote:when mine get the squeaks I dust with a litlle baby/talcum powder...so far no problems

^^^ This!!! A bit of baby powder around the areas the belt clips attach to the leather while you continue to break in the holster and you should no longer notice the squeak.

You made me curious. I agreed that the mink oil wouldn't hurt the kydex/leather holsters because the kydex is what retains the weapon. I did a google and found a post from a couple years back some guy made who asked crossbreed what they recommend. Here is his post about it.

Dietrich
07-05-2011, 04:56 PM
According to Marty of the Crossbreed Holster Company,you may use mink oil on horsehide holsters but not on cowhide.So that`s the name of that tune.

Remember though... Crossbreed is not all leather. Kydex is what retains the weapon. Leather is behind the kydex and against the skin. (Mink oil causes me to get a rash) .


I have no idea why horsehide but not cowhide.

Seriously. How can you folks not love the sound of leather rubbing against leather? Am I warped? That sound makes me feel... Well... Like a MAN!

I kinda dig the creeeeeking sound my holster makes when I lean one way. Of course, I'm just wearing around the house right now while I wait on my plastic....

The only reason I minked my Kholsters is to make the leather backing that is against my skin softer. So I only minked the back side, not the front where the pistol would rest. TBH, I didn't mind the slight squeak from the leather.

I have done 3 things to quiet down holsters and belts...

1. anti chaffing creme from academy or similar... it's like a powder but is wet for a few seconds as you apply it. I have not seen it soften leather, ever. Works surprisingly well- had to apply a 2nd time on one of my holsters, but most times it works. (I've used this on both leather and kydex holsters that were loud.

2. leather polish from tandy or the likes. Also have used clear shoe polish in the can, not the liquid in the bottle. Buff vigorously so you develop some warmth when buffing and that will slicken and smooth it out. This works very well (and is probably the best for the leather) but is the most labor intensive method.

3. talcum powder, dusted to the squeaky area will sometimes cure the squeak. (I've had mixed results with this method)