My glove's gone mushy!!!

[BretMan]

Not really a rules question, but never the less...

I collect and restore antique and vintage gloves as a hobby, so I've dealt with just about every kind of mashed and mangled floppy glove you can imagine. From what you describe, my best guess would be that a glove relacing is in order. Replacing the laces of an old glove will almost always restore the form to near-new condition. In fact, many old gloves that I relace will require some additional break-in work, as they will be quite inflexible.

Possibly, you may have used too much mink oil, which can make a glove too floppy- and make the laces floppy, too. I only use small amounts of mink oil on brand new gloves if they are very stiff or on older ones that are dry and rock hard. An overapplication of mink oil can make the leather turn to mush. If you use it, go lightly!

Lanolin is one of the best- if not the best- leather treatments out there. I doubt that the "floppiness" is cause by lanolin use.

Replacing- or even retightening- the laces will most likely solve your problem. If you can't find someone to do this in your area, drop me a line as I often do mail order repair jobs.



[Edited by BretMan on Apr 5th, 2005 at 01:13 PM]