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Shoe care without the shine?

nordicstyle

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I want to take care of my leather shoes, but I don't want the "shine" that shoe polish typically gives. A long time ago I remember getting some kind of wax (bee wax or honey wax or something?) that was supposed to only condition the leather, but not add any color or shine. Does anyone know of such products? I think it was used for leather jackets and such, but I was thinking maybe it could also be useful for shoes?

In short, I want to keep the leather nice and smooth, but not have mirrors on my toe caps. How?
 

gdl203

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Use creams instead of polish
 

TheFoo

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I use Saphir cream and a brush. I get a nice low-key, almost matte shine.
 

nordicstyle

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Originally Posted by gdl203
Use creams instead of polish

So any neutral cream will do? I assume Kiwi makes one? (Or any other major brand that I'm likely to find in the shops?)
 

gdl203

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Originally Posted by nordicstyle
So any neutral cream will do? I assume Kiwi makes one? (Or any other major brand that I'm likely to find in the shops?)
No, you can use color creams. Saphir is good as mafoo was saying. Meltonian creams are also good IME
 

TheFoo

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Originally Posted by nordicstyle
So any neutral cream will do? I assume Kiwi makes one? (Or any other major brand that I'm likely to find in the shops?)

Shell out for Saphir. Kiwi may or may not dry out your shoes, depending on who you listen to (it definitely messed up one of my Lobbs). Plus, Saphir smells good enough to inhale.
 

Siggy

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Yeah, use a creme the color of your shoes and a horsehair brush. Saphir is very good but may not be easy to find in much of the US. I never used Kiwi creme but their wax is fine. Maybe try Allen Edmonds creme if you can't find Saphir.
 

TheFoo

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Originally Posted by Siggy
Yeah, use a creme the color of your shoes and a horsehair brush. Saphir is very good but may not be easy to find in much of the US. I never used Kiwi creme but their wax is fine. Maybe try Allen Edmonds creme if you can't find Saphir.

You can get Saphir on the internet pretty easily. I think Allen Edmonds creme is just re-branded Meltonian, which is good enough.
 

nordicstyle

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Originally Posted by gdl203
No, you can use color creams. Saphir is good as mafoo was saying. Meltonian creams are also good IME

Hm.. OK. But then I have to find the color that matches exactly with my shoes? If not, I assume the cream will discolor the shoes over time? If possible, I would prefer a neutral cream/wax that can be used with any shoe color.

Originally Posted by mafoofan
Shell out for Saphir. Kiwi may or may not dry out your shoes, depending on who you listen to (it definitely messed up one of my Lobbs). Plus, Saphir smells good enough to inhale.

It's not about the money (assuming Saphir costs less than an arm and a leg), but rather availability. I don't mind ordering stuff online, but sometimes shipping can take quite a while. Anyone got any links to your recommended products/online stores?
 

gdl203

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Francos for Saphir, shoeshinekit for Meltonian. It's not an exact science, you don't have to get the exact same tinge as your shoes - can totally live with 4 colors in your shoe shine box (light brown, dark brown, blue, burgundy)
 

TheFoo

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Originally Posted by gdl203
Francos for Saphir, shoeshinekit for Meltonian. It's not an exact science, you don't have to get the exact same tinge as your shoes - can totally live with 4 colors in your shoe shine box (light brown, dark brown, blue, burgundy)

TITCR.

Any cream will change the color of your shoes, even if only subtlely. I use neutral on everything. I used to use the multi-color system described above, but I think this is working out fine.
 

gdl203

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Originally Posted by mafoofan
TITCR
I have no idea what this mean. Is this lawyer talk? NTTIAWWT

IME, color creams give much better result (smooth blemishes, etc...) than neutral. YMMW
 

Silverback

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Originally Posted by mafoofan
TITCR.

Any cream will change the color of your shoes, even if only subtlely. I use neutral on everything. I used to use the multi-color system described above, but I think this is working out fine.

I was told to avoid neutral polish or cream. I do now. I am not sure why. I am a sucker like that.
 

TheFoo

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Originally Posted by gdl203
I have no idea what this mean. Is this lawyer talk? NTTIAWWT

This Is The Credited Response.

It's neurotic-law-school-applicant talk, not lawyer talk. I forgot what board I was on and what year it was.
 

nordicstyle

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Aha, this seems to be similar to the stuff I was thinking about:



It's neutral color, based on water and beeswax.
 

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