Leather maintenance

[Hedge774]

Mineral oil worked well on my saddles and tack. It's a bit thick so heat it up before applying. Works great for keeping mice and vermin from chewing up leather. Apparently it tastes bad. Also washable so won't stain jeans like neatsfoot oil.

An old packer gave me that tip. But I confused mineral oil with cod liver oil. I'm surprised a grizzly didn't pull me off the horse to chew on the saddle. Man, did it smell bad! Couldn't get rid of the stench. Finally sold the saddle. Anyway it was a cheap piece of crap Mexican thing with plastic tree so no great loss. Came with my outfit when I bought the horses and trailer.

I will humbly verify that mineral oil does indeed taste bad. (Thanks, Grandma!) But, if you're clogged up, it will make you sh*t yourself blind...

 

[Hedge774]

Funny thing. I noticed that my beard balm and my leather balm have the same ingredients. No joke. Use the beard balm on your leather. Works like a charm and smells lightly of sandlewood.

 

[steve white]

4 parts food grade mineral oil blended with 1 part pure bees wax… you’ll need to bring the mineral oil to a “warm” temp to melt in the bees wax… nowhere close to boiling…

It will cool to something like a petroleum jelly consistency…

Completely odorless and colorless… but is down right magical on both leather and wood products… I use it on rifle stocks, knife handles, cowboy boots, hunting boots, cutting boards, etc etc…

Would it work on a nice couch, or is it sticky AT ALL?

 

[steve white]

What do ya'll put on leather rifle slings that doesn't smell bad to deer?

 

[mdwest]

Would it work on a nice couch, or is it sticky AT ALL?

I’ve got several tins of it… the last time I made it I produced about a half gallon… the next time I see you, remind me and I’ll give you some to try out..

No stickiness at all… I use it on all sorts of stuff all the time..

Wood workers call it “board butter”.. it’s used to seal cutting boards and other food grade items… I bought a small batch of it, which is typically pricey.. really liked it.. and decided to make it for myself since I do a lot of wood and leather work…

Since then I use it on just about everything.. wooden utensils, wooden bowls, cutting boards, knife handles, etc etc.., and on everything leather from my wife’s Courtney’s to my custom cowboy boots, to my dogs leather leash, etc… also rifle stocks, wooden furniture, etc..,

 

[mdwest]

What do ya'll put on leather rifle slings that doesn't smell bad to deer?

Same thing… it’s got no odor to it at all as long as you’re using pure all natural bees wax blended with food grade mineral oil…

 

[Hedge774]

....but does it work on facial hair??

 

[steve white]

....but does it work on facial hair??

To grow more, or take care of what you got?

 

[CM McKenzie]

Priceless saddles were made with waxed cotton, wool, and waxed linen thread. Modern saddles are waxed nylon. No conservator of priceless saddles from the golden era will use pure neatsfoot because the Ph is caustic to organic threads.

I don’t like horses and I’m not into western cowboy history, but I do appreciate the artisanship. The best craftsman that ever lived for the saddle making trade are long since dead. A conserved original saddle may be priceless, a remanufactured one may be near worthless. Please care for the art and ensure it can remain functional art for another 150 years.

You’re in the right track, but flip flopped. The compound is a cheaper petroleum based mixture. It was known to break down the linen thread. I used to use the old linen thread when I used my old hook and awl machine. I like the way those old machines stitched.

If you appreciate the art. You should check out the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association. Makers across the world have taken all aspects cowboy gear to another level.

 

[Flbt]

It's not my experience, nor any of the older saddle makers I've learned from, that neats foot oil breaks thread down. Synthetic compounds have been proven to break down fibers in the leather (I'll see if I can find that info. It was from years ago.) That is why it has always been preached , by the professional saddle makers I know, to use only pure neats foot oil.
I use a poly thread on my saddles and leather products and know of one saddle from 20 years ago that still has the same thread. There is a gentleman daily wearing a belt I made 15 years ago with the same thread.

Dads old bull doging saddle in the barn tallow
Neasfoot and saddle soap all that’s ever been on it. It was made in 50’s don’t think it’s any thing but a working saddle.
The stitching never been redone that I know of.
My pony saddle side of it it was a hand me down that’s as least 20 years older. The stitching was fine when my daughter out grew it.

I used neasfoot on my duty holster when I used leather ones.
The one my 45 in was bought as a Xmas gift in 98

I don’t know. But it’s worked for me.

 

[Mountainshadows]

@rookhawk I will echo @CM McKenzie and recommend you check out the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association. I do not believe all of the great saddle makers are dead. If you appreciate that artisan part of it then you will enjoy looking at the TCAA work.

 

[steve white]

Same thing… it’s got no odor to it at all as long as you’re using pure all natural bees wax blended with food grade mineral oil…

Where do you get the beeswax? Or could I substitute Snoseal?
And isn't it funny, one of the recommended commercial formulas was "some kind of oil, and beeswax"

 

[Grandpa Moose]

Where do you get the beeswax? Or could I substitute Snoseal?
And isn't it funny, one of the recommended commercial formulas was "some kind of oil, and beeswax"

Toilet ring seals are usually beeswax use the light colored onesies

 

[Hedge774]

I like the red ones.

 

[mdwest]

Where do you get the beeswax? Or could I substitute Snoseal?
And isn't it funny, one of the recommended commercial formulas was "some kind of oil, and beeswax"

Amazon.com

The key is to get organic/natural food/cosmetic grade…

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Amazon.com

The key is to get organic/natural food/cosmetic grade…

Toilet seal? Didn't know they made a natural food variety. Blech!

 

[Tex .416]

Same thing… it’s got no odor to it at all as long as you’re using pure all natural bees wax blended with food grade mineral oil…

fwiw - Tractor Supply sells food grade mineral oil for $27/gallon as a horse laxative. Grocery stores sell it as a human laxative for about $5 for a pint.

 

[SStomcat]

fwiw - Tractor Supply sells food grade mineral oil for $27/gallon as a horse laxative. Grocery stores sell it as a human laxative for about $5 for a pint.

Or buy it at Ikea for $2 for a bottle that will last a while.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

About 20yrs ago, when I purchased my first Benz, (a rare 1 of 1000 AMG), I also bought a container of Rolls Royce Hide Food. It is a leather conditioner meant for automotive upholstery. It goes on a little greasy but soaks into the leather and does not need to be applied often. It dries to a smooth, non-greasy surface after a day or two. A little goes a long way and if you put on too much it will leave a light colored residue that is visible on black leather. Just wipe off the excess to prevent such and you are good to go. It works great on boots, slings and other leather goods as well. I still have about 80% in that original jar. It does not have a strong odor. It is best if applied in the summer months when temps are warmer as this aids the products absorption into the leather. But for boots and slings it can be applied indoors anytime.

For boots and slings neats foot oil is another old school treatment that works well. It does leave some oily residue and smells like petroleum but aids in making leather boots more water resistant.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

About 20yrs ago, when I purchased my first Benz, (a rare 1 of 1000 AMG), I also bought a container of Rolls Royce Hide Food. It is a leather conditioner meant for automotive upholstery. It goes on a little greasy but soaks into the leather and does not need to be applied often. It dries to a smooth, non-greasy surface after a day or two. A little goes a long way and if you put on too much it will leave a light colored residue that is visible on black leather. Just wipe off the excess to prevent such and you are good to go. It works great on boots, slings and other leather goods as well. I still have about 80% in that original jar. It does not have a strong odor. It is best if applied in the summer months when temps are warmer as this aids the products absorption into the leather. But for boots and slings it can be applied indoors anytime.

For boots and slings neats foot oil is another old school treatment that works well. It does leave some oily residue and smells like petroleum but aids in making leather boots more water resistant.

You got me thinking about buying a Mercedes-Benz or Rolls Royce. There ... I'm done thinking. My city's streets would destroy them. Last spring someone stuck a nicely painted sign one one of the road crew's countless orange cones that seem to have found a permanent home adorning our main drag: "Beware! Tank Traps Ahead"

I'd like to try this stuff. Is there any way to purchase some without buying a car?