Reviving a messenger bag

[Threadbearer]

A few months ago I noticed that my black leather messenger bag was looking dry and gray instead of supple and black. I revived it with some mink oil, but the improvement only lasted a couple of weeks. Another mink oil application produced the same short-lived result. I have three questions:

1. Is there a better product for reviving leather than mink oil?

2. Will the mink oil I've already applied prevent other products from penetrating through to the leather?

3. Is it possible that a 3-year-old messenger bag is too far gone to be resurrected? (It gets daily use, but I'm a car commuter, not a bicycle messenger.)

 

[robin]

It is possible that's its near the end of its life, depending on the quality of the leather. Instead of mink oil though, pick up better leather conditioner like the type Apple Polishes Inc. sells, and try that instead. I've used it with positive results on several old and vintage bags that I have.

 

[zhouyu]

http://www.obenaufs.com/

 

[marlinspike]

It's possible that the bag is already toast, but if it was an expensive bag that's near and dear to your heart, try http://www.leatherique.com/ to redye it.

The Apple Polishes stuff is good. So is lexol. If you're willing to go for broke but don't want to get as involved as leatherique, you could try neatfoot oil (but this is sorta a might help might hurt kind of thing)