JMS Miniatures
Well-Known Member
How often do you clean your leather harnesses? I clean mine with Lexol and it says to atleast clean it after every use.
This article is both right, and wrong. As Boinky stated, PURE neatsfoot oil IS purely animal-based, and is safe to use...it will not rot stitches. But...the neatsfoot oil COMPOUND is a mixture of pure neatsfoot, and non-animal, petrolatum oils...that WILL rot stitching.From an article on carriagedriving.net:
"Look for a semi-solid conditioner that contains animal fats, as this is closer to the compounds used to tan the leather in the first place. Stay away from neatsfoot oil and dressings based primarily on neatsfoot oil, as it could lead to damage to the stitching in your harness."
When there are so many other good conditioners out there, I just can't see bothering with neatsfoot.
Myrna
I'm pretty sure they were quoting David Freedman, who builds some of the best harnesses in the world today ($5K and upThis article is both right, and wrong. As Boinky stated, PURE neatsfoot oil IS purely animal-based, and is safe to use...it will not rot stitches. But...the neatsfoot oil COMPOUND is a mixture of pure neatsfoot, and non-animal, petrolatum oils...that WILL rot stitching.
Well, I never met the man, but if he said that you should only use oils made from animal fats...that IS pure neatsfoot oil...really...the word "neat" is an old-time word for beef/bovine. it is all, 100% animal fat. So, although I do not doubt his wisdom, I do think he meant the compound in this instance. It matters not...we all have our favourite products, and will continue to use them...I am just clarifying a fact.I'm pretty sure they were quoting David Freedman, who builds some of the best harnesses in the world today ($5K and up). We were told many years ago to only use NF Compound and not the pure stuff, so now I wouldn't trust any of it. When we were at Walnut Hill this year, David visited the neighbors (people parked next to us) who had purchased their harness from him. They were using Brasso to polish the brass and we thought David was going to come unglued! He told them not to use that cr-p on his harness, so if he says stay away from NF, I will heed that. He carries Oakwood on his website.Myrna
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