Leather softener

[Robby]

I've softened up some pretty stiff leather with a variety of products but like neatsfoot oil, the real stuff, you have to be fairly generous with the application and then work it in, twist it, wring it, roll it, bunch it up so it gets down in there. A little work but very effective.
Robby

 

[user 52723]

Wow a bunch of great suggestions thanks I will try the neatsfoot oil first and go from there

 

[garypl]

They also have a silicone added product. I have used both and cannot see any difference. I am aware of the strong opposition to silicone additives because the "ain't authentic".

I do a lot of leatherwork and only use Pure Neatsfoot Oil. There is also a product called Neatsfoot Oil Compound that has additives. Both are made by Fiebings.

 

[garypl]

I've softened up some pretty stiff leather with a variety of products but like neatsfoot oil, the real stuff, you have to be fairly generous with the application and then work it in, twist it, wring it, roll it, bunch it up so it gets down in there. A little work but very effective.
Robby

I agree with Robby, but be careful about soaking leather in too much neatsfoot oil - if you really saturate it you will have a sloppy mess on your hands that might be difficult to correct. Better to add oil gradually on the grain (smooth) side only and then work it in like Robby stated and add more as needed. It really takes a fairly long time for oil to fully distribute throughout the leather.

 

[OhioHawkeye]

This is true (at least for some kinds of stitching material) over time, but if used as an initial softening treatment, I haven't had any problems with it (I've typically used it this way on my slings). And it's THE traditional treatment for horse tack (which is often SOAKED in it), and at least used to be the traditional treatment for baseball gloves. But I'm with in in generally preferring Lexol as a long term and repeatable solution.

yes, old isn't necessarily better and is why Lexol was developed. It is one of my favorites, though I've been using Bix4 more on my western boots now. I use the Lexol (cheaper) on the horse tack.

 

[doubleset]

Well, Lexol was used by the ancient Roman legions as waterproofing for their capes and outer garments.

Okay, ... it wasn't actually Lexol. But it was lanolin -- which is one of the basic ingredients for Lexol.
But the point is that Lexol is sort of "old". Since we don't have horses any longer (finally!!), we don't use the quantities of these things that we used to.

 

[bud in pa]

Just read my can of snow seal and it claimed that it does not weaken stitching. I believe that it is made with beeswax.

 

[smo]

Does any of the products mentioned promote mildew/ mold or prevent mildew / mold more so than others?

One that hasn’t been mentioned is shaving creme with lanolin…I used it on new baseball gloves when I was younger.. Softens them up after a couple applications..

 

[Notchy Bob]

This thread makes me smile! I think opinions about leather treatment strike a deeper chord than discussions of patch lube, and that’s saying something, with this crowd. Every dadgum one of us has a favorite, and considers it the sovereign of leather treatments. We elbow our way to the front of the line to promote our favorite.

…when the obvious best choice, hands down, is pure neatsfoot oil…

Right, boys?

Best regards,
Notchy Bob