Posted 2009-11-27 7:49 PM (#113688) Subject: Best leather conditioner?
Veteran
Posts: 270
Location: Roanoke IL
I've always used neatsfoot oil. I bit the bullet and ordered my $2,000 custom saddle. While the leather is high quality, I still always feel that I should give it a good oiling to help the break in process and protect the leather some before the horse dirt gets all over it. Is there a product out there that will do better than neatsfoot oil at protecting and speeding up the break in process? It's black, so darkening doesn't matter....however anything that would reduce the amount of black dye that will likely be coming off onto my pants for years to come would be helpful.
Posted 2009-11-27 10:22 PM (#113689 - in reply to #113688) Subject: RE: Best leather conditioner?
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
We use the BIC 4 products on saddlery. Many of my friends use them on leather coats and custom leather automotive interiors. They will not discolour light products or harm a dyed leather. Best? I don't know, but it makes the leather supple and long lasting.
Posted 2009-11-28 6:02 PM (#113704 - in reply to #113688) Subject: RE: Best leather conditioner?
Member
Posts: 20
Location: Midland, MI
I have been a Lexol fan for many years. However, I have recently been using EVOO (extra virgin OLIVE OIL), yes I said olive oil! The saddle makers at Harris Leatherworks recommend this for their saddles. It really seems to soften and give the leather a nice luster, and it absorbs nicely and does not discolor.
Posted 2009-11-30 2:16 PM (#113753 - in reply to #113688) Subject: RE: Best leather conditioner?
Expert
Posts: 1989
Location: South Central OK
Another vote here for Olive oil, I've been using it on my saddles for over 18 years, it will darken light leather but you won't have that issue. One really good oiling and you'll be done for a long, loooooong time. I've got some reins, I haven't oiled in over 12 years, and they were oiled once. My saddles (including my Hermes) just love this treatment!
I take a large plastic bag and stuff the leather goods inside, pour oil in, zip, shake and forget. Two days later, remove the leather and clean it really well to remove excess and you are done for years to come. I reuse oil in the bag and just top off when needed...this keeps it really cheap. I also don't splurge on EVOO and go for the Olive oil in the large jug on the bottom shelf. (Sam's or Costco also carry this.)
Mice, if you've got mice they won't care what flavor oil you used.
Posted 2009-12-02 12:43 PM (#113852 - in reply to #113688) Subject: RE: Best leather conditioner?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781
Location: La Cygne, KS
I use peanut oil as recommended by my saddle maker. And have used olive oil too. These oils will not rot the stitching and penetrate very well into the leather making it very soft and supple.
Posted 2009-12-03 12:55 PM (#113901 - in reply to #113688) Subject: RE: Best leather conditioner?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 522
Location: Tucumcari NM
Olive oil and peanut oil are both good choices. I have never had a problem with rodents chewing the leather on my saddles as a result of using olive oil.
Posted 2009-12-09 5:07 PM (#114105 - in reply to #113688) Subject: RE: Best leather conditioner?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 391
Location: Columbia, KY
gotta put my 2 cents worth here too.. I have an albion saddle and their reps. naturally recommend their albion leather conditioner. it's really good stuff. pricy but you don't need to use much for it to work well.
Posted 2010-01-13 7:57 AM (#115194 - in reply to #113688) Subject: RE: Best leather conditioner?
Veteran
Posts: 231
Location: Illinois
I clean with Saddle soap, the buff the extra residue off, condition with Lexol conditioner..usually 2-3 coats ( let it soak in between coats)Buff again, and then finish with Black Rock, let it dry and BUFF...you can apply more than one coat of the Black Rock, let dry and buff and reapply...leaves a fantastic smooth, soft luster to the leather...I do this approx twice a yr to my Tucker and it looks as good as it did when I bought it..7 yrs ago.
Posted 2010-01-16 10:14 PM (#115361 - in reply to #113901) Subject: RE: Best leather conditioner?
Veteran
Posts: 201
Location: Lincoln, NE
Speaking of rodents - mice pulled out much of the sheepskin on the underside of my saddle. They also chew on natural fibers. Synthetic halters and leads are fine but they chewed my nice new cotton lunge line into two pieces. Pesky devils.
Posted 2010-01-18 7:20 PM (#115434 - in reply to #113688) Subject: RE: Best leather conditioner?
Veteran
Posts: 231
Location: Illinois
I asked our local Tack/ saddle repair guy about this and he says never to use neatsfoot oil as it will deteriorate the threads used to sew the saddle together...also oil attracts and holds dirt. he recommended leather conditioner as it is ph balanced to keep the leather soft and supple and healthy...just saying
Posted 2010-01-19 12:01 PM (#115457 - in reply to #113688) Subject: RE: Best leather conditioner?
Regular
Posts: 63
Location: Eagle, Idaho
My favorite leather conditioner is Skidmore's. I've been using it for about 10 years and it's just right for me. It's a paste consistency so it doesn't drip which is a plus.
Posted 2010-03-19 11:19 PM (#117833 - in reply to #113688) Subject: RE: Best leather conditioner?
Member
Posts: 16
Location: United States
People with mice problems tack some coke or pepsi out in a pan and it will kill your mice. They like it because it is sweet but they are like rats and they can not burp and they die.
Posted 2010-03-20 1:25 PM (#117856 - in reply to #113688) Subject: RE: Best leather conditioner?
Member
Posts: 48
Location: Northern IL
Have to agree with To Much Trouble, about oil attracting dust....makes alot of sense...Thanks for the info, amazing how such simple things as that just slip you mind....And putting pepsi or coke out in a dish will kill mice and rats...This is gonna sound cruel but, if you have a possum or coon problem it works well too...My Dad mixes pepsi with granular fly bait (he used this in his dairy barn when he used to milk cows for fly control) and the coons and possums eat it up and die...just don't put anything in it that your pets will be tempted to eat...I know someone that had a possum and coon problem and used cat food instead of the fly bait and he killed off quite a few of his barn cats and didn't mean to do it...Needless to say he felt pretty awefully about his stupid mistake...
Posted 2010-03-22 8:28 AM (#117902 - in reply to #113688) Subject: RE: Best leather conditioner?
Member
Posts: 14
Location: Cherokee, IOWA
Regarding "mice " problem in tackroom, I started sticking Bounce dryer sheets under my saddles and inbetween blankets. Have not had any mouse chewing on saddles/tack since( plus is helps with stinky saddle pads too!)But the coke/pepsi idea sounds great! Our dog got metal rat bait box open twice (Lab) and had to go to vet for vit K, so soda pop sounds much safer around here! Thanks for the idea! Leather conditioner? Black Rock is great, and so is Skidmores and Oakwood brand .Just got done cleaning 6 saddles, some old antique ones too... Oakwood saddle soap, then their conditioner...... worked great! Ordered it from Jeffers Equine...great price.