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paalta · Joined: 09 May 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Hungary

As a saddler I have just one thing to say about cleaning Leather
NO OIL Mad

Any oil will make your harness leather go ' mushy ' and will rot your stitching ( and it makes it awful to work with )
One formula ( there are many ) is the following
Melt 3LBS of pure tallow ( don't let it boil ) and add 1lbs of neatsfoot oil , stir until cold.
This will make a fatty/greasy mixture that will be good if worked into your leatherwork , warm it up first to make it easier to apply.

If anyone disagrees then please note that this formula is more than 100 years old and back then they knew how to look after their harness as it is all they had.

Albert · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 26 Location: Andalucia Spain.

Paalta that sounds like a good traditional treatment. Sadly I'm only half way through my litre of (how is it spelt?) PateBue??? I also have to live with a wife and 2 daughters. Can you imagine what they would say if I make that mixture in their kitchen!(still I do have a bed at my stables!!! Very Happy

I once left a brand new hand made bridle and reins soaking over night as the guy that made it advised me to. By morning it had gone! Eaten by my dogs haha! here in Spain Olive oil is used for everything. Hoof Oil and leather work! I would be interested in your thoughts on Olive oil! I used to worry about everything and take stuff so seriously. Now after 2 heart attacks I reckon most stuff will out last me anyway so why worry haha!
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paalta · Joined: 09 May 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Hungary

My thoughts on any type of oil is a big NO

Leather is made from cow hide . after it has been processed ( Tannery and curriers ) the FAT content of the hide has to be replenished.
During the normal course of using any leather work this fat is lost , so what we have to do is replace it. Just remember if it is liquid at room temperature then it is NOT for leather FAT not OIL.

? would you put olive oil in your car

Albert · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 26 Location: Andalucia Spain.

Hi again. As a matter of fact we do put Olive oil in our cars! We are very modern! We have a program of ecology that provides us with a cooperative for recycling our cooking oil and using it in our diesel engines! I have also used Olive oil in my 2 stroke motor bike and to lubricate my chain saw! I'm sure as a purist your absolutely right about fat, however it seems the world has moved on and you would not be able to buy fat in England or Spain in tack shops these days!Even Saddle Soap can be hard to find! It's either oil or a soap based oil cleaner that " Enlivens and replenishes the natural oils your saddles and harness need!". Now that's what a the leading brand name has to say on the subject! I hope this has been of help to you. I will keep your recipe though. Thank you and good luck. Albert.
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hoofpick · Joined: 04 Mar 2009 Posts: 12 Location: Hobart Tasmania

OH dear! I use olive oil...
Could you explain what tallow is as in Australia I haven't heard that term.
Welcome to the forum!! Very Happy

Can use olive oil in diesels too

paalta · Joined: 09 May 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Hungary

Hi , to Australia
Tallow is basically rendered beef or mutton fat, prefer beef as leather is made from cows .
It is a solid at room temperature ( google or goto Wikipedia and search tallow )
It is one of the best things to use as it is the natural substance found in cowhide - add a little neatsfoot to make it a bit more workable - also if you heat it up a little it makes it easier as well.

P

Albert · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 26 Location: Andalucia Spain.

I think if you do not have wild dogs and strays, rats etc it's fine, but having had dogs eat a new bridle that was soaked in bulls fat I'm gonna stick with spray on oil and soap cleaner and Olive oil. Living on a farm means we have to share our world with all kinds of meat eaters and they love leather smelling of beef fat! Also Olive oil does not contain fatty acids! Albert. Good Luck!
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http://photobucket/AlbertsLife

Ride a western saddle. It'll make your bum look small!

paalta · Joined: 09 May 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Hungary

I have a smallholding myself and have never had any saddlery eaten by anything as I store it properly . Also my horses bridle is 6 years old and is as good as the day I made it. I also have a leather girth that was made in 1916 ( YES 1916 ) hanging in my workshop that is still in VGC .

Use oil if you want - it is not good for your leather . I have personally been to a leather manufacturers and have seen what they use ( and it is NOT oil ) .

Take the advice of a PRO with 17 years experiance - or take the advice of someone who appears to not have a clue how to store - keep - or look after their tack at all. The choice is yours

I think that I have said all that I need to - if anyone has further questions in this matter PM me.

Albert · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 26 Location: Andalucia Spain.

Paalta, Thanks hope to exchange more with you in the future!

_________________
http://photobucket/AlbertsLife

Ride a western saddle. It'll make your bum look small!