natural belt care and stains

Hello, I got a natural tan belt recently. I heard they get denim stains very quickly and is better to use a leather conditioner to avoid this. On the other hand I also heard is better to use the belt for a while and develop some patina before you apply conditioner for the first time. But if I do that I guess I will get some stains, so what´s the truth about all this and the best way to go?

cheers

Originally Posted by islay

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Hello, I got a natural tan belt recently. I heard they get denim stains very quickly and is better to use a leather conditioner to avoid this. On the other hand I also heard is better to use the belt for a while and develop some patina before you apply conditioner for the first time. But if I do that I guess I will get some stains, so what´s the truth about all this and the best way to go? cheers
I've written quite a bit on natural leather belt care and assessment on my blog, so I'd recommend having a read if this is your first time playing around with natural leather. If your jeans are relatively new, and has a denim which bleeds heavily, then I'd recommend holding off using your natural belt until the denim settles down and stops bleeding so much. Usually after a couple of weeks it'll be OK, assuming you soak/wash the denim before wearing. Applying a conditioner usually won't protect against indigo staining that much, unless the conditioner you're using has a high wax content or contains a lot of coating agent. Although the myth that you have to "wear the belt for a while to develop patina before oiling" is quite dumb (IMO, of course), and I don't understand why some people keep propagating it There is absolutely nothing wrong with giving your natural belt a good oil before wearing it. Frequent and light maintenance is best for your leather, both in terms of it's appearance and it's health. As I've written on my blog: "This is the only way to bring out the full potential of the leather, to achieve a truly beautiful patina – where the grain development is maximised and the colour/tone change is in balance with the texture of the grain. By giving the leather adequate nourishment, you will ensure that your leather goods will not only look good after 1 or 2 years, but also 5 , 10, 15 years down the track. This is a case where the tortoise wins the race; true beauty can only be achieved with care and patience."

Solid advice and great blog - thank you sir!

Originally Posted by mikecch

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I've written quite a bit on natural leather belt care and assessment on my blog, so I'd recommend having a read if this is your first time playing around with natural leather.

If your jeans are relatively new, and has a denim which bleeds heavily, then I'd recommend holding off using your natural belt until the denim settles down and stops bleeding so much. Usually after a couple of weeks it'll be OK, assuming you soak/wash the denim before wearing.

Applying a conditioner usually won't protect against indigo staining that much, unless the conditioner you're using has a high wax content or contains a lot of coating agent.

Although the myth that you have to "wear the belt for a while to develop patina before oiling" is quite dumb (IMO, of course), and I don't understand why some people keep propagating it

There is absolutely nothing wrong with giving your natural belt a good oil before wearing it.

Frequent and light maintenance is best for your leather, both in terms of it's appearance and it's health.
As I've written on my blog:
"This is the only way to bring out the full potential of the leather, to achieve a truly beautiful patina - where the grain development is maximised and the colour/tone change is in balance with the texture of the grain.
By giving the leather adequate nourishment, you will ensure that your leather goods will not only look good after 1 or 2 years, but also 5 , 10, 15 years down the track.
This is a case where the tortoise wins the race; true beauty can only be achieved with care and patience."

Suggestions on plain natural tan belts that are less than $70 and not bulky width wise? No fancy buckle required.

Edit. just checked some belts... $185??

Tanner, Corter, Hollows, or make your own from Tandy stuff.

Originally Posted by mikecch

Click to expand...

I've written quite a bit on natural leather belt care and assessment on my blog, so I'd recommend having a read if this is your first time playing around with natural leather.

If your jeans are relatively new, and has a denim which bleeds heavily, then I'd recommend holding off using your natural belt until the denim settles down and stops bleeding so much. Usually after a couple of weeks it'll be OK, assuming you soak/wash the denim before wearing.

Applying a conditioner usually won't protect against indigo staining that much, unless the conditioner you're using has a high wax content or contains a lot of coating agent.

Although the myth that you have to "wear the belt for a while to develop patina before oiling" is quite dumb (IMO, of course), and I don't understand why some people keep propagating it

There is absolutely nothing wrong with giving your natural belt a good oil before wearing it.

Frequent and light maintenance is best for your leather, both in terms of it's appearance and it's health.
As I've written on my blog:
"This is the only way to bring out the full potential of the leather, to achieve a truly beautiful patina - where the grain development is maximised and the colour/tone change is in balance with the texture of the grain.
By giving the leather adequate nourishment, you will ensure that your leather goods will not only look good after 1 or 2 years, but also 5 , 10, 15 years down the track.
This is a case where the tortoise wins the race; true beauty can only be achieved with care and patience."

The conditioner I have is Montana Pitch blend, water reppelent leather dressing , Scott was kind to send me this toguether with the belts. I will read your blog, it looks really interesting, so far I guess what I have to do is appky the conditioner and wear the belt with jeans that are a bit old and not loosing indigo anymore, is that right?

cheers

Originally Posted by DerAngriff

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Suggestions on plain natural tan belts that are less than $70 and not bulky width wise? No fancy buckle required. Edit. just checked some belts... $185??
I picked up a nudie plain belt for $77 in Stockholm. 1-1/8" wide, I believe, and a very simple buckle. Edit: Here it is, they charge a premium in the US though... http://shop.nudiejeans.com/system/se...id=1657&rnum=9

I enjoy indigo stains on my belt, am I alone in this?

^no you're not alone, because you got that idea from others.

Originally Posted by DerAngriff

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Suggestions on plain natural tan belts that are less than $70 and not bulky width wise? No fancy buckle required.

Edit. just checked some belts... $185??

www.leathergoodsconnection.com

Originally Posted by Antonio Centeno

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Solid advice and great blog - thank you sir!
Cheers mate!

Originally Posted by islay

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The conditioner I have is Montana Pitch blend, water reppelent leather dressing , Scott was kind to send me this toguether with the belts. I will read your blog, it looks really interesting, so far I guess what I have to do is appky the conditioner and wear the belt with jeans that are a bit old and not loosing indigo anymore, is that right? cheers
Spot on Although Montana Pitch Blend will darken your leather a little bit more than pure animal oil...but nothing wrong with that!

Originally Posted by l1mab3an

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I enjoy indigo stains on my belt, am I alone in this?

yeah natural belts with lots of wear look great with faint indigo on it



very SICK belt

Originally Posted by DerAngriff

Click to expand...

Suggestions on plain natural tan belts that are less than $70 and not bulky width wise? No fancy buckle required.

Edit. just checked some belts... $185??

corter.

Originally Posted by DerAngriff

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Suggestions on plain natural tan belts that are less than $70 and not bulky width wise? No fancy buckle required. Edit. just checked some belts... $185??
Just check the Leather Artisan's Appreciation thread!

Originally Posted by randomkoreandude

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yeah natural belts with lots of wear look great with faint indigo on it

very SICK belt
I saw that on Kurt's blog I wonder how old it is? Although I have to say I'm not a fan of the grain all peeled off when the colour isn't even that dark (I'm assuming it started off an unfinished colour?)...a leather belt really shouldn't look like this unless it's true vintage (the leather is old and neglected) or the owner got trapped in the wilderness for a couple of years. I think this belt is a good example of colour/tone change not being in balance with the texture/wear of the grain. (P.S. Not trying to dis Kurt, I have great respect for the guy!!!)

Originally Posted by mikecch

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I saw that on Kurt's blog

I wonder how old it is?

Although I have to say I'm not a fan of the grain all peeled off when the colour isn't even that dark (I'm assuming it started off an unfinished colour?)...a leather belt really shouldn't look like this unless it's true vintage (the leather is old and neglected) or the owner got trapped in the wilderness for a couple of years.

I think this belt is a good example of colour/tone change not being in balance with the texture/wear of the grain.
(P.S. Not trying to dis Kurt, I have great respect for the guy!!!)

its a deadstock swedish military issue belt ... apparently worn daily for 10 years but no mention of care, if any

http://stockroom.inventorymagazine.c...tage-deadstock

assuming it was little to no care on that belt, i think it looks amazing and regardless held up very well for 10 years