The Leather Thread

[spidey00]

Can use obenauf for dress shoes as well?

 

[viix]

^ which website can purchase obenauf?

was thinking whether to get mink oil to apply it on my belt and wallet until you guys mention abt obenauf. thinking of giving it a try

Use oil sparingly. Leather's property is in its ability to maintain it's stiffness and rigidity over nylon. For a belt, use it when the belt seems dry and hard or after exposure to water.
Leather when drying after being soak, will because hard and stiff.. let it dry slowly then apply..

For footwear, apply on crease areas so the oil can help the leather to stretch. Repetitive bending of the leather cause the fibre to break down and tear/crack

Mink oil is design to replenish the natural oils in leather after the leather gets wet, or under prolonged exposure to heat, which cause the porous leather to lose it's natural oil and stiffen up.

Can use obenauf for dress shoes as well?

Obenauf LP can also be used, and is something I prefer over any oil. The wax & propolis based penetrates the leather, and gives it a nice soft finish without the floppiness of oil alone. It was designed for firemen boots due to the wet and hot environment which wears down leather fast..

Be aware though, obernauf darkens the color.

As a note, there really isn't a need to apply anything to leather belts or wallet. Most of the oil from our hands and daily usage will allow the leather to age naturally, and enjoy the natural leather. Unless it's for something that will be expose to the elements, then use obernauf LP. These give alot more protection than oil.

I recommend applying it for footwear, especially at the seams. A generous coat makes any footwear water proof yet not lose it porousness and allows the leather to breathe.. Much better than goretex!

which is better care/protector for natural veg tan belt? mink oil or obenauf?

Thick belt, no need to apply anything. Maybe after prolong use, a little oil every few months on the crease so the leather wrinkles instead of crack, or wax periodically since wax doesn't soften leather like oil do.

Avoid petroleum based wax.

^ which website can purchase obenauf?

was thinking whether to get mink oil to apply it on my belt and wallet until you guys mention abt obenauf. thinking of giving it a try

Neatsfoot oil can be found at artfriend, Obenauf LP and their Oil, ebay.
But I buy mine with from KSF

 

[mikeeeey]

^hi

when you mentioned oil, do you meant the mink oil or Obenauf leather oil, or both are essentially the same?

 

[scasi]

viix! good Info, let me take them out and put in the 1st page, for the benefit of all!

 

[viix]

^hi

when you mentioned oil, do you meant the mink oil or Obenauf leather oil, or both are essentially the same?

Both oil are similar. Both soften leather. Obenauf leather oil is neatsfoot oil mixed with propolis, so they are more gentle than pure neatsfoot oil bought from artfriend.

Neatsfoot oil is made from the hooves of cows. Mink oil is made from the fat layer under a mink's skin.
One is liquid based, like your cooking oil, while Mink is paste/cream based, much like a balm or the kiwi wax (which I do not recommend for leather btw because of it petroleum base which destroy leather over time).

As the are essentially just oil, the have little to no waterproofing quality cos they will evaporate unlike beeswax. Neatsfoot oil is a thin liquid and saturates leather easily, so use care when applying.

Both oils are good for conditioning leather because it contains fatty acid which soften leather. But this fatty acid also has disadvantages. Because of it's acidic nature, these oils will over time destroy the adhesive in leather so do not use it on parts that are not stitched. Especially more so for neatsfoot as it is liquid base and absorbs into leather easily.

Both has their pros and cons.
Neatsfoot oil darken leather over time, which I personally prefer because it gives brown leather a shiny red-ish finish when seasoned.. Mink oil also darkens, but my experience is that it's less than neatsfoot. It tends to dulls the finish of shiny leather.

Oil will turn rancid overtime, so don't get too much~ a little goes a long way

viix! good Info, let me take them out and put in the 1st page, for the benefit of all!

Thanks, just passing on what I learnt over time from all the mistakes of destroying my first few boots~

 

[mikeeeey]

I see..

Im thinking of applying a coat of obenauf oil first follow by the LP to protect it. Is it ok?

 

[viix]

I see..

Im thinking of applying a coat of obenauf oil first follow by the LP to protect it. Is it ok?

Yes, thats what I do to waterproof my leather..
A light working in with Obenauf oil, dry overnight,
then rub LP in one generous layer, heat and rub in with blowdryer till dry, then apply another thin layer till dry and buff till it doesn't feel tacky (beeswax will feel tacky when dry..)

At this stage it's quite waterproof already.. see the water bead on the surface and not get absorb.

After that, only need to retouch with very little LP once in awhile..

 

[nicolnicolnicol]

hey vixx. Since you are already at it, mind going through the process of using obernaufs LP on a pair of boots?

More interested in the melting down of the obernaufs and airblowing it in method. please do share!

 

[edwinrz]

hey vixx. Since you are already at it, mind going through the process of using obernaufs LP on a pair of boots?

More interested in the melting down of the obernaufs and airblowing it in method. please do share!

yeah. waiting for this part as well!

 

[nicolnicolnicol]

Went to look for the applications method and found this.

Obenauf's LP is the industrial strength leather protection of choice of thousands of hunters, firefighters, construction workers, loggers, and others. There is no treatment more effective or more powerful for treating and protecting your hardest working leather from the elements. Applying Obenauf's LP is easy, just rub it into damp or dry leather with your hands. It's natural and temperature sensitive so body temperature will melt it. You can also melt it first in a microwave for easier application. It will not separate. For maximum protection over a longer period of time impregnate your leather with a double application of LP. Apply and go over with a hair dryer then do a second coating the same way.

 

[viix]

Went to look for the applications method and found this.

Obenauf's LP is the industrial strength leather protection of choice of thousands of hunters, firefighters, construction workers, loggers, and others. There is no treatment more effective or more powerful for treating and protecting your hardest working leather from the elements. Applying Obenauf's LP is easy, just rub it into damp or dry leather with your hands. It's natural and temperature sensitive so body temperature will melt it. You can also melt it first in a microwave for easier application. It will not separate. For maximum protection over a longer period of time impregnate your leather with a double application of LP. Apply and go over with a hair dryer then do a second coating the same way.

Yes, I microwave it just a short while.. 20-30 sec is enough. Then just brush on nia~
for small item, just rub on like a gel, then blow it with hair dryer.. the wax will "dissolve" into the leather..

 

[nicolnicolnicol]

Not sure where to post these but figured they belong here..

These finally came in the mail today..

I'm wearing a RW US8 and got them in a US8.5. fits like a glove. my first pair of Alden. such good comfy shoes they are.

 

[mikeeeey]

^ wow! Not many pple own Alden here i think. Hw much was it?

 

[rage05]

^^ Wow, the Alden is nice man, must have cost a bomb...Congrats

 

[weinyeong]

Not sure where to post these but figured they belong here..

These finally came in the mail today..

I'm wearing a RW US8 and got them in a US8.5. fits like a glove. my first pair of Alden. such good comfy shoes they are.

woah u stepped up on yo game
nice shoes

 

[brianchia]

Just collected my belt from andy of the sonce facade. Didn't know he lived 10mins awat from me. Excellent deal!

 

[kazuki666]

Just collected my belt from andy of the sonce facade. Didn't know he lived 10mins awat from me. Excellent deal!

pics pics pics

 

[aspanol]

Just collected my belt from andy of the sonce facade. Didn't know he lived 10mins awat from me. Excellent deal!

Haha. Thanks, Hope you like your belt! let me know if you need the oil or you can just give me a email and i can reoil it for you. No worries!

 

[ambivalence]

nice alden yo!

 

[brianchia]

pics pics pics

Tmr then I post.