You forgot to mention that neatsfoot oil absolutely honks! ![]()















You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
No, just smells of... oil. Shoved it under the noses of the ladies in the house just in case my hooter was turned off and they confirmed!

Hmm... maybe mine is a particularly smelly batch then. ![]()















You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
we used to pass a factory that processed hoofs in N Ireland, it was gas masks on every time we passed as it was that SMELLY
dead cows being melted down, stinks, even worse than my armpits, trust me on this 
"Take that you rotton helping of strawberry flan!"
Joseph Porta to "strawberrys and cream", in the sven hassel book ,ogpu prison
So, after four more soak and absorb cycles on the soles with Neatsfoot it's time to wipe down and the next step.
A liberal swabbing of Leather Oil on uppers and soles - a much thicker oily liquid that stinks of napthalene. This has a preservative in it so as well as enriching the leather and aiding waterproofing they should last for centuries
.
After a day the excess is wiped off and boots generally cleaned up.
Now for a waxy seal - I've used this Lederbalsam that reeks of honey as it's stuffed full of beeswax. Again, coating uppers and soles paying particular attention to welds, seams and stitching. Leave for a day, wipe off excess and buff up.
So, the leather is soft, very dark brown (remember only colourless products have been used), all the stitch holes have swollen tight, joints have been sealed, sole leather has swollen tight on the nails. All they will ever need now is after use mud brushed off when dry and a quick re-application of dubbin.

Good job, Chommers. And a huge variety of leather products!















You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
I have plenty in the house, once you get past 50 it's more effective than Olay on the wrinkles...

I have plenty in the house, once you get past 50 it's more effective than Olay on the wrinkles...
Noted...! ![]()















You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
I have plenty in the house, once you get past 50 it's more effective than Olay on the wrinkles...
Superb work. Looks like a labour of love
Today's question for the Acadamy of Remote Boot Care...
I have a quite nice pair of DMS boots, but the toecaps leather is scarred to buggery. Is there anything thing to be done or is it just a case of slapping on more polish to hide the scars?
melt bees wax block into it mate, then form over smooth with a hot knife( not red hot) , then polish as normal. i have a lump of bees wax if you cant get hold of any, but it is opake( clear) not black, still works but wears off after a while to a lighter shade.
OK. I have a pot of "leather balm" which is like very soft beeswax - is that going to do it or do I need a solid block?
you need solid hard stuff mate, i got mine from a shoe repairer place, it was about the size of a mars bar and if i remember i think it was 6 quid, if you cant get any, send me a SAE ( small jiffy bag would be better) and i will break you a bit off.
Cheers. I'll get me to a cobblers (fnarr fnarr).