Try warming them up with a hairdryer. Heat should make the leather softer. Warm them while applying the conditioner for better penetration.
Dennis Young Oiled boots are made for walkin' in Hotaka, Japan
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>> Hi Everybody,
>>
>> I'm cleaning up and repacking the pedals that came with my recent ebay
>> Pogliaghi. I cannot extract the nice, matching Binda toestraps that came
>> with the bike! Although the leather looks great and seems strong, it is so
>> stiff with age that it seems impossible to get the straps out of the pedals
>> at the buckle end. Husband Al has even had a go at it, after I've treated
>> them with leather conditioner for several weeks.
>>
>> What shall I do: keep them on there and try to work around them, or just cut
>> them off and put on some newer toe straps? Putting the buckle end in the
>> vise is a possibility, but I fear chewing up the leather even with a shop rag
>> for protection.