Leather Quality and Properties

[ntempleman]

Just put some polish on now and then and give them a quick brush before you wear them, no need to over complicate it. I’ve got shoes I wear so rarely I need to brush an inch of dust off them each, they’ve never been conditioned once and they’ve lasted just fine. I’ve got leather on the shelf that’s 30 years old, if you think I’m conditioning that before I make your shoes then I got news for you pal

 

[j ingevaldsson]

I always say that the only product you actually need is shoe cream, everything else is a bonus, or not necessary, or sometimes even harms more than it gives. Wax is great if you want a shine, and does give some more protection, but not to a huge extent compared to shoe cream. Conditioners are a bit extra nourishing and some really dried out leather do nice of it, but it’s only in rare cases that it’s actually needed and shoe cream isn’t enough.

To give an or example, the firm I work for have sample shoes that have stood on a shelf in sometimes direct sunlight for years and can be so lightened in colour and dried out that when I’ve tried to apply pigmented cream on them it doesn’t even go into the leather, have to condition it with Saphir dubbin graisse first to get it nourished and be able to absorb the cream. But it’s not really standard for people to leave their shoes near a window for years..

Then, there’s lots of shoe care products that can do some parts that cream does even better, easier, more fun etc., but the “everything else is a bonus, or not necessary, or sometimes even harms more than it gives” still applies.

BTW, I like the “a bonus” part a lot, so usually buy all types of shoe care products I can come buy just to test different brands and stuff. This pic was taken a few years ago, maybe 50% more today.

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

I had to verify on my Amazon purchase list. Same 16oz Bick4 container since 2016 (Sept.), and I have about 1/3 of the bottle left. Talk about spot conditioning ?.

My brushes on the other hand look like Sasquatch brushed his teeth with them from the overuse.

 

[bjhofkin]

THAT'S IT I'M CANCELING ALL MY ORDERS

if you think I’m conditioning that before I make your shoes then I got news for you pal

 

[beargonefishing]

THAT'S IT I'M CANCELING ALL MY ORDERS

Cancel culture got to you.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I had to verify on my Amazon purchase list. Same 16oz Bick4 container since 2016 (Sept.), and I have about 1/3 of the bottle left. Talk about spot conditioning ?.

My brushes on the other hand look like Sasquatch brushed his teeth with them from the overuse.

I have a leather couch. I've conditioned it many times with Bick 4. It is always more trouble than its worth.

 

[ntempleman]

with that little pen applicator? Must be like painting the Forth Bridge

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Nah, they make a spray version for larger applications. I spray it all over myself and then flip, flop, and squirm all over the couch while watching Netflix. Quite a workout.

 

[DWFII]

I read somewhere that there's an especially designated person who conditions all the leather furniture in the British Royal palace(s) on a infrequent but regular basis. I suspect that there must be something to that lost in the mists of time.

I don't think that pouring a little Lexol in the palm of your hand and rubbing it on your shoes(or yourself) ever now and again is harmful. Despite what the church says.

Consider it a small gesture to propitiate the Gods of Leather and Shoe and make redress for the way in which you daily abuse them.

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

Nah, they make a spray version for larger applications. I spray it all over myself and then flip, flop, and squirm all over the couch while watching Netflix. Quite a workout.

Ive heard moisturizing is good for the skin, but goodness me this here seems a rather messy undertaking.

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

Nothing wrong with Lexol.

I'm not sure about the Lexol. Meaning, my results have been unsatisfactory. Anytime I have used the Lexol there was always a residue on the surface which resulted in a cloudy appearance. Even when I used next to nothing.

I've never had that happen with the Bick. Even my father's preferred Venetian shoe cream yields better results for me. That old man of mines has been using that stuff for what seems like decades on his shoes. Oddly, without shoe cream or wax, and the VSC his shoes still look solid ?. Has me thinking, I overpay for my shoe care products.

In any case, I'd agree with @j ingevaldsson, shoe cream (partial towards Burgols) and minimal spot usage of conditioner seems to produce effective long-term positive results.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Venetian is nothing more than an unpigmented cream. It has a pretty heavy naphtha smell from what I can remember, probably not the best cream.

 

[DWFII]

I'm not sure about the Lexol. Meaning, my results have been unsatisfactory. Anytime I have used the Lexol there was always a residue on the surface which resulted in a cloudy appearance. Even when I used next to nothing.

I've never had that happen with the Bick. Even my father's preferred Venetian shoe cream yields better results for me. That old man of mines has been using that stuff for what seems like decades on his shoes. Oddly, without shoe cream or wax, and the VSC his shoes still look solid ?. Has me thinking, I overpay for my shoe care products.

In any case, I'd agree with @j ingevaldsson, shoe cream (partial towards Burgols) and minimal spot usage of conditioner seems to produce effective long-term positive results.

I've used Lexol for many years and I have never experienced any residue. The Bick4 does leave a slight wax residue esp. if it is overused. But any neutral shoe cream will do the same. Of all the conditioners out there Bick4 comes the closest to living up to its claims that it will not darken leather...in my experience.

Not to take anything away from VSC but from what I've been told (and from what I recall reading on the label) it has turpentine (?) in it.

My go-to rule of thumb with this kind of thing is that if you wouldn't put it on your own skin, you shouldn't put it on shoes that you care about.

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

I've used Lexol for many years and I have never experienced any residue. The Bick4 does leave a slight wax residue esp. if it is overused. But any neutral shoe cream will do the same. Of all the conditioners out there Bick4 comes the closest to living up to its claims that it will not darken leather.

Not to take anything away from VSC but from what I've been told (and from what I recall reading on the label) it has turpentine (?) in it.

My go-to rule of thumb with this kind of thing is that if you wouldn't put it on your own skin, you shouldn't put it on shoes that you care about.

That's why there are options out there with regards to conditioners. Every one has different results. Never had any residue from the Bick, but, as mentioned, did from the Lexol.

I do like the Saphir stuff, yet not sure (other than a pleasant smell) if it is any more effective than the Bick (which is considerably cheaper).

Never used the VSC on a consistent basis, but I do know some swear by it, including my pops.

Ultimately, whatever works on your shoes and for your shoe care regime is what people will be proponents of. As with all things YMMV.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I tend to stay away from conditioners with wax in them. Wax attracts a lot of dust and debris. Sticks right to it. You need something that penetrates and can be wiped clean on the vamp.