**The Official Shoe Care Thread: Tutorials, Photos, etc.**

[fritzl]



more flexible/supple = wears down faster.  i would just pre treat them before the raining season.  or better, get double leather sole or danite sole.

this is ****** advice...

 

[SHS]

Thank you for the inputs. I will keep applying the oil a few times a year. The description of its good qualities seems convincing to me. When I applied it the leather drank it right up. Perhaps the leather is less prone to absorb moisture when it is treated with this oil. I will continue to use my dainite soled shoes and boots in rough weather though.

SHS

 

[patrick_b]

I have to agree that Obenauf LP (not the oil) is one of the best conditioning waxes available. As Patrick indicated, it's virtually impossible to ever develop a shine on boots that have had LP applied. Therefore it's great on work boots, not so great on finer footwear. I have a specific horsehair brush that I use on boots with LP that I don't use on any other footwear. I don't want the LP to transfer to dressier leathers.

While nothing other than a waterproof/breathable membrane will truly waterproof a boot, Obenauf LP will keep your feet dry. I applied LP to these Wolverine 1K's a half dozen times over a year or so and brush them regularly. I applied brown kiwi wax twice but it doesn't look any better after the kiwi so I stick to LP only. The only other care is to remove salt in the winter with a damp cloth. I remove the salt religiously after each wear in the winter, it only takes a minute then I brush them with the LP brush.

IMO, they look the best with a coat of LP and brushed. It brings up a nice, rich luster...not a shine...but not dull. These haven't been brushed in months and are a year old. They just look better and better as the months go by.







I'm on the fence about applying a vibram half sole (like the mini lug) over the leather sole. Last winter was very snowy and I would have appreciated the extra grip. With that said, I lived through it and I think they look great with a leather sole. I also added the leather laces...I think its a significant improvement over the OEM flat cotton laces.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Awesome post Patrick They look great. I will post my winter Rider boots and give an overview of my use of LP and polish as well.

 

[thesecondprize]



Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

I have to agree that Obenauf LP (not the oil) is one of the best conditioning waxes available. As Patrick indicated, it's virtually impossible to ever develop a shine on boots that have had LP applied. Therefore it's great on work boots, not so great on finer footwear. I have a specific horsehair brush that I use on boots with LP that I don't use on any other footwear. I don't want the LP to transfer to dressier leathers.
While nothing other than a waterproof/breathable membrane will truly waterproof a boot, Obenauf LP will keep your feet dry. I applied LP to these Wolverine 1K's a half dozen times over a year or so and brush them regularly. I applied brown kiwi wax twice but it doesn't look any better after the kiwi so I stick to LP only. The only other care is to remove salt in the winter with a damp cloth. I remove the salt religiously after each wear in the winter, it only takes a minute then I brush them with the LP brush.
IMO, they look the best with a coat of LP and brushed. It brings up a nice, rich luster...not a shine...but not dull. These haven't been brushed in months and are a year old. They just look better and better as the months go by.



I'm on the fence about applying a vibram half sole (like the mini lug) over the leather sole. Last winter was very snowy and I would have appreciated the extra grip. With that said, I lived through it and I think they look great with a leather sole. I also added the leather laces...I think its a significant improvement over the OEM flat cotton laces.

This was very helpful, thanks. Those boots look terrific, too.

 

[nutcracker]

My best friend for the past year....a horsehair shoebrush I found in Japan



The pile is so long it looks funny standing.



Look how freakishly dense and packed this is



After a year of abuse (I follow the Mac method....), the fringe started to flair a little, but the surface is still quite flat and firm

 

[oshinex]

Edoya

 

[patrick_b]



Look how freakishly dense and packed this is

Cool images!

 

[nutcracker]



Edoya

and this baby in goat hair is so soft I should forget about shoes and scrub my face with it

 

[BostonHedonist]

and this baby in goat hair is so soft I should forget about shoes and scrub my face with it

Jesus, where can I get one of those...

 

[Rambo]



don't be a *****. use proper stuff for boots.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

I have to agree that Obenauf LP (not the oil) is one of the best conditioning waxes available. As Patrick indicated, it's virtually impossible to ever develop a shine on boots that have had LP applied. Therefore it's great on work boots, not so great on finer footwear. I have a specific horsehair brush that I use on boots with LP that I don't use on any other footwear. I don't want the LP to transfer to dressier leathers.
While nothing other than a waterproof/breathable membrane will truly waterproof a boot, Obenauf LP will keep your feet dry. I applied LP to these Wolverine 1K's a half dozen times over a year or so and brush them regularly. I applied brown kiwi wax twice but it doesn't look any better after the kiwi so I stick to LP only. The only other care is to remove salt in the winter with a damp cloth. I remove the salt religiously after each wear in the winter, it only takes a minute then I brush them with the LP brush.
IMO, they look the best with a coat of LP and brushed. It brings up a nice, rich luster...not a shine...but not dull. These haven't been brushed in months and are a year old. They just look better and better as the months go by.



I'm on the fence about applying a vibram half sole (like the mini lug) over the leather sole. Last winter was very snowy and I would have appreciated the extra grip. With that said, I lived through it and I think they look great with a leather sole. I also added the leather laces...I think its a significant improvement over the OEM flat cotton laces.

See, this is how my boots look now, only slightly more scuffed. What I'd like to do is protect them so they look like my dress shoes. Or, at least the dress shoes I'll eventually have one day. These boots are functioning as dress shoes now.

 

[patrick_b]



See, this is how my boots look now, only slightly more scuffed. What I'd like to do is protect them so they look like my dress shoes. Or, at least the dress shoes I'll eventually have one day. These boots are functioning as dress shoes now.

The problem is that they aren't dress shoes. CXL is a pull up leather, it's not designed to shine up like a fine calfskin.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

This is true, but you can bull the toes and heel quarters.

 

[fritzl]



what is puzzeling you?

 

[razl]



Ok, ok - I've finally gotten onboard with Saphir. I ordered a proper boatload of their products from The Hanger Project - renovateur, waxes, creams, you name it. Here's hoping I'll be contributing pics of some hard won results in the near future!

Most of the big drop has landed. I'm so glad it's going to be a crappy game on MNF tonight, I won't be distracted from my more serious pending work...