this post was submitted on 29 Mar 2026
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Asking more generically for anything made of faux leather, not necessarily this item in particular, but I gotta admit this multitool is pretty handy at times and is part of my everyday carry.

I'm more asking, like how to best treat faux leather for longest lasting and best surface? Like, what happens if it gets wet? Is shoe polish or oils or something beneficial to keep the surface intact?

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[–] Boozilla@sh.itjust.works 45 points 2 months ago

It is a generic name for a variety of materials, usually PVC or PU, which are essentially maintenance-free other than occasional cleaning with warm soapy water. Avoid prolonged exposure to UV and abrasion. Should last a very long time.

If it's a more exotic faux leather made from biodegradables / renewables it's going to break down over time because it's meant to.

In short, it's very unlikely you need to regularly condition it like real leather.

[–] riskable@programming.dev 28 points 2 months ago (1 children)
[–] Gork@sopuli.xyz 15 points 2 months ago (1 children)

So like a fox, but fake in a Fr*nch way

[–] Nurse_Robot@lemmy.world 20 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Thank you for censoring offensive language

[–] actionjbone@sh.itjust.works 9 points 2 months ago

You never know when some asshole might complain!

[–] mech@feddit.org 8 points 2 months ago

Wouldn't want to get de-Monet-ized.

[–] actionjbone@sh.itjust.works 27 points 2 months ago (1 children)

It is plastic - typically PVC or polyurethane.

Think of it like this: leather wears in, plastic wears out.

If you carry that in your pocket, it'll eventually start to peel or flake. You may start to see the fabric backing poke through.

Don't try to treat it with anything. Oil can't be absorbed because it's plastic, not skin. Polish won't set like it would on leather. You can't protect the finish. You can clean it with soap and water if it gets dirty.

[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I do indeed keep it in my pocket, in an exact position in my left front pocket, behind my phone, to keep the case/sheath wear consistent. And yes the edges are ever so lightly starting to peel, honestly I already expected that anyways being in pocket, but consistency of exactly how I load and arrange my pockets seems to keep wear and tear down.

I don't expect anything to last forever, but I like to know whatever tips and tricks might help stuff last longer..

[–] actionjbone@sh.itjust.works 13 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Sadly, in the case of plastic fake leather, you can't make it last longer. It's designed to look nice when new, and that's it.

On the plus side, even if it looks like shit, it might still protect what's inside of it.

[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Oh, indeed the material does hold tough so far (I think I've had this for a little over a year now).

I just figured I'd ask, for sake of asking anyways. Thank you and others for the info, not really all that much I can do to keep the material lasting 10+ years..

[–] actionjbone@sh.itjust.works 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

On the plus side, if you're ever looking for a new hobby, it wouldn't be overly hard to make a real leather cover from cheap scrap leather! :)

[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

LOL, I already have a leather hobby, and I don't use cheap or faux leather either...

https://lemmy.world/post/22860120

https://lemmy.world/post/23353964

[–] IWW4@lemmy.zip 7 points 2 months ago

Pretty much plastic and I dont bother taking care of it.

[–] Cris_Citrus@piefed.zip 5 points 2 months ago

To add to people's answer of it not having much care- cleaning is generally good for care/longevity as grit and dirt will cause abrasion if it has flex or when the tool goes in and out, anf it comes in and out of your pocket :)

[–] CapuccinoCoretto@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

Just to add something missing from the other posts, there are many grades of "leather" that are technically, but not really leather. Could be cheap bonded leather, that is bits of scrap leather glued together and processed to look and feel like leather.

[–] pastermil@sh.itjust.works 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

As others mention, it's most likely made of PVC or PU. The best way to to take care of it is to throw it away and replace it with real leather, preferably the full-grain one.

[–] 5gruel@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago

If you already have one that seems wasteful