snake hat band - need some info

[bobc]

My dad killed the rattler back in the early 60's. My Great Aunt, who has long passed, is the one that sewed in the the lining. He gave it to me yesterday, and I want to use it on one of my hats. Problem is that it is quite stiff and could also use a cleaning - and I want to have a plan to do so, such that I don't screw it up.

How should I go about limbering it up and cleaning? Pictures of the band below:

[bobc]

Anyone got some tips?


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[Tall Tex]

Maybe leather cleaner like bickmore bick 4 that they sell at boot stores

[lanceodom]

Check YouTube. I bet there is something there.

[bobc]

Maybe leather cleaner like bickmore bick 4 that they sell at boot stores

The backing itself is cloth. The skin is what is stiff.


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[bobc]

Check YouTube. I bet there is something there.

Have tried that. My search terms must suck.


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[gatt40]

Try mink oil or baseball glove oil

[okrattler]

Glycerin would soften it up. Neatsfoot oil would probably do it too.

Having said that,with it being as old as it is the only thing I'd be worried about is having the glue (which I'm assuming it's glued onto the leather) soaking that stuff up and having the skin come off of the leather. I don't know if that would happen but I suppose it probably could.

[bobc]

snake hat band - need some info

Glycerin would soften it up. Neatsfoot oil would probably do it too.

Having said that,with it being as old as it is the only thing I'd be worried about is having the glue (which I'm assuming it's glued onto the leather) soaking that stuff up and having the skin come off of the leather. I don't know if that would happen but I suppose it probably could.

It is not glued to leather. The back side is cloth type material that is sewed to the skin.

Edit: ok, did so google foo on glycerin. Looks like I can pick it up at like a walgeens. Will give it a shot.
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[bobc]

Glycerin would soften it up. Neatsfoot oil would probably do it too.

Having said that,with it being as old as it is the only thing I'd be worried about is having the glue (which I'm assuming it's glued onto the leather) soaking that stuff up and having the skin come off of the leather. I don't know if that would happen but I suppose it probably could.

One more thing.....I see reference to mixing the glycerin with alcohol. Necessary at this point, or just straight glycerin? And thanks for th input you’ve provided.


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[okrattler]

I know a lot of people do it that way and from the way I've always understood it the alcohol is to kill any bacteria that could cause the snake skin to rot over time. I've always just fleshed them really good and brushed on glycerin. Never had any trouble with them deteriorating. I'd imagine that skin has already been fleshed or tanned in some way or another in the past and over time has just dried out.

A long time ago I'd just skin them and dry them without fleshing them or putting glycerin on them and eventually they did fall apart.

[bobc]

I know a lot of people do it that way and from the way I've always understood it the alcohol is to kill any bacteria that could cause the snake skin to rot over time. I've always just fleshed them really good and brushed on glycerin. Never had any trouble with them deteriorating. I'd imagine that skin has already been fleshed or tanned in some way or another in the past and over time has just dried out.

A long time ago I'd just skin them and dry them without fleshing them or putting glycerin on them and eventually they did fall apart.

Yeah, Pops did either the salt treatment, or antifreeze. Does not quite remember which.


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[okrattler]

That was a common way to do it back then. Antifreeze I mean. I know a guy that made a bunch of stuff from snake skin after using "glycol" to tan them..which was basically the same as using glycerin. But since those days I think the ingredients in antifreeze have changed. I tried it that once and they didn't turn out good.