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Location: midwest mama | I have a new saddle that I need to condition, and I don't know what the best product is to do that. It has been forever since I have had a brand new saddle, so I am clueless.
Any suggestions? |
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Location: midwest mama | Anyone? |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| Ride in it. A LOT. :) sweat helps. I also like Skidmore's. Slather it, slap a dark colored bag over the saddle, leave it in the sun for a day then ride. It will butter soft it up real quick.
Hmmmmm NJJ come hither!!! Her SO has been building saddles for close to half a century and she'd be a great source! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 683
Location: Ohio | I've always had good luck with Fiebing's Aussie Leather Conditioner. Its never darkened my light oil pieces, a little goes a long way and really helps soften leather (even old dried out leather). I use it on everything, its also great on boots. http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/product/aussie-leather-co... |
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Sock Snob
Posts: 3021
| My saddle maker said olive oil. I would use the lightest that you can. |
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  Fact Checker
Posts: 16572
Location: Displaced Iowegian | There are all kinds of really good leather conditioners on the market these days. If you use olive oil....make certain it is EXTRA virgin olive oil. The trick is to brush it on lightly (in all of the nooks and crannies) and several coats over several days. You can use PURE neatsfoot oil, however, it does tend to darken the leather just a little. Make sure it is pure and not the "compounded". Additionally, each oil may be warmed slightly. After a saddle has been used awhile and needs cleaning, he cleans them well and then his conditioner of choice is Black Rock. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 683
Location: Ohio | NJJ - 2015-01-14 8:38 PM
There are all kinds of really good leather conditioners on the market these days. If you use olive oil....make certain it is EXTRA virgin olive oil. The trick is to brush it on lightly (in all of the nooks and crannies) and several coats over several days. You can use PURE neatsfoot oil, however, it does tend to darken the leather just a little. Make sure it is pure and not the "compounded". Additionally, each oil may be warmed slightly. After a saddle has been used awhile and needs cleaning, he cleans them well and then his conditioner of choice is Black Rock.
Is that why neatsfoot oil got such a bad wrap for making stitching rot over time, because it was the compounded kind instead of pure being used? |
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Sock Snob
Posts: 3021
| I love black rock, i put it in microwave get it warm, put a thin coat on your saddle. Love it. |
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Expert
Posts: 2457
| GrittyCowgirl - 2015-01-15 11:22 PM NJJ - 2015-01-14 8:38 PM There are all kinds of really good leather conditioners on the market these days. If you use olive oil....make certain it is EXTRA virgin olive oil. The trick is to brush it on lightly (in all of the nooks and crannies) and several coats over several days. You can use PURE neatsfoot oil, however, it does tend to darken the leather just a little. Make sure it is pure and not the "compounded". Additionally, each oil may be warmed slightly. After a saddle has been used awhile and needs cleaning, he cleans them well and then his conditioner of choice is Black Rock. Is that why neatsfoot oil got such a bad wrap for making stitching rot over time, because it was the compounded kind instead of pure being used?
Yup. The old timers that hang out at our barn have told me stories before. They swear by the pure neatsfoot. |
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Fact Checker
Posts: 16572
Location: Displaced Iowegian | GrittyCowgirl - 2015-01-15 11:22 PM NJJ - 2015-01-14 8:38 PM There are all kinds of really good leather conditioners on the market these days. If you use olive oil....make certain it is EXTRA virgin olive oil. The trick is to brush it on lightly (in all of the nooks and crannies) and several coats over several days. You can use PURE neatsfoot oil, however, it does tend to darken the leather just a little. Make sure it is pure and not the "compounded". Additionally, each oil may be warmed slightly. After a saddle has been used awhile and needs cleaning, he cleans them well and then his conditioner of choice is Black Rock. Is that why neatsfoot oil got such a bad wrap for making stitching rot over time, because it was the compounded kind instead of pure being used?
Edited by NJJ 2015-01-16 9:53 AM
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 Expert
Posts: 4625
Location: Desert Land | I love Caldwell's "MIracle Juice". Makes your leather buttery smooth. A big jug costs like $30, but it lasts forever. I bought my last jug like 5 years ago and have maybe used 1/2 - 1/3 of it and I oil the crap out of all the leather stuff I have - it's a pleasure of mine, cleaning/conditioning my tack. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 975
Location: The barn...where else? SW Missouri | TheOldGrayMare - 2015-01-16 9:57 AM I love Caldwell's "MIracle Juice". Makes your leather buttery smooth. A big jug costs like $30, but it lasts forever. I bought my last jug like 5 years ago and have maybe used 1/2 - 1/3 of it and I oil the crap out of all the leather stuff I have - it's a pleasure of mine, cleaning/conditioning my tack.
I second the miracle juice. I just recently bought a used Caldwell saddle and called them up and ordered some from Charon. Awesome stuff. The saddle was beyond dry and its amazing how buttery soft it is now. I highly recommend it. |
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