How to Care for Your Leather Rifle Sling and Bible Cover (Simple & Proven Tips)

How to Care for a Leather Rifle Sling and Bible Cover

When you invest in a handmade leather rifle sling or Bible cover, you’re not just buying a product. You’re investing in something that’s meant to last for years, even generations.

Here at Ozark Mountain Leather, we use premium Hermann Oak leather and American bison leather in our rifle slings and Bible covers for their strength, durability, and character. With just a little care, your leather will age beautifully and continue to serve you for years to come.

Proper leather care for rifle slings and Bible covers includes gentle cleaning, light conditioning, and avoiding heat or excess moisture.

The good news? Leather care doesn’t have to be complicated.

Simple Cleaning (What We Recommend)

The easiest and most important thing you can do is keep your leather clean.

Dust and dirt can slowly wear down leather over time, so we recommend:

• Wiping your leather with a soft, dry cloth regularly
• Using a slightly damp cloth if needed with the Feibing's 4-Way Conditioner (never soak the leather)

For deeper cleaning, we recommend:

• Fiebing's 4-Way Care

t’s easy to find, affordable, and works well without overcomplicating things.

Conditioning (What We Do in Our Shop)

Before your order ever leaves our shop, we treat the leather using Fiebing’s Neatsfoot Oil.

Because of this, your leather is already taken care of and you won’t need to condition it for quite a while. Just use it and enjoy it.

Over time, especially in areas that bend and flex, leather can start to dry out. When that happens, keep it simple.

When It’s Time to Condition

• Apply a light coat only
• Use a soft cloth
• Focus on areas that bend or flex

Less is more. It’s better to do a little at a time than too much all at once.

What to Use

• Fiebing's 4-Way Care (for lighter conditioning)
• Fiebing's Mink Oil
• Fiebing's Aussie Leather Conditioner

Mink oil is great because it conditions the leather and adds a bit of water resistance.

Conditioners are a safer option if you want to maintain the original color as much as possible.

A Quick Note on Oils (Important)

Oils like neatsfoot oil or mink oil will condition the leather well, but they can darken the leather slightly.

A few things to keep in mind:

• The leather may look uneven or spotty right after applying
• That’s normal, it will even out as it soaks in
• Some pieces may darken more than others
• Over time, the color typically settles into a slightly richer tone

If you choose to use oil:

• Apply a very lightly and a small amount at a time
• Don’t soak the leather
• Allow proper drying time
• Let it absorb before adding more
• Be aware it may permanently darken the leather

Water and Drying

Leather and water don’t mix well.

If your rifle sling, shotgun sling or Bible cover gets wet:

• Wipe off excess moisture
• Let it air dry naturally

Do NOT:

• Use a hair dryer
• Place near heat sources
• Set in direct sunlight

Heat can cause leather to shrink, stiffen, or crack.

What to Avoid

This is one of the most important parts of caring for your leather.

Never:

• Use automotive, upholstery, or shoe care products
• Over-oil your leather
• Store leather in plastic bags
• Leave leather in extreme heat (vehicle dash, garage, attic)

Leather needs to breathe and stay in a stable environment.

Suede Care (Back of Our Slings)

The back of our rifle slings is suede, and it requires different care.

To clean suede:

• Use a stiff brush or nubuck block
• Gently brush away dirt while maintaining the texture

Do NOT use:

• Water
• Oil
• Conditioner

These will damage the suede and flatten its natural texture.

Proper Storage

When not in use, store your leather in a:

• Cool
• Dry
• Breathable environment

Avoid sealed plastic containers or bags. Leather needs airflow to stay healthy.

Each of our products comes with a cotton dust bag, which is a great option for storage. It allows the leather to breathe while helping protect it from dust and dirt.

Final Thoughts

We believe leather should tell a story.

Every mark, every crease, and every bit of wear adds character over time. With just a little care, your leather rifle sling or Bible cover will not only last, it will become something worth passing down.

The truth is, you don’t need to do much.

For most people, especially with Bible covers and rifle slings, you won’t need to condition it for a long time. We’ve already taken care of that here in the shop. Just use it, carry it, and let it age the way leather is meant to.

When the time does come, keep it simple. A light touch is all it needs. And if the color deepens a little along the way, that’s part of the story too.

That’s how we build them, and that’s how we hope you’ll enjoy them.

Shop our handmade leather rifle slings and Bible covers built to last for years to come.

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FAQs

How often should I condition my leather rifle sling or Bible cover?

Not often. Since we treat the leather before it leaves our shop, you may not need to condition it for quite a while. When it starts to feel dry, apply a light coat.

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What is the best product to use on leather?

We recommend simple, proven products like Fiebing’s 4-Way Care for cleaning and Fiebing’s Mink Oil for conditioning.

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Can I use household or shoe products on leather?

No. These products can damage the leather and affect its strength and appearance.

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What happens if my leather gets wet?

Let it air dry naturally. Do not use heat, as it can cause cracking and shrinking.

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Will oil darken my leather?

Yes, especially products like neatsfoot oil. Always apply lightly and expect some darkening.