EVOO

[Arizona Cattleman]

I have been experimenting with EVOO and natural leather.  To my surprise it makes a very good antique method.  As a newbee, you all probably know that already.  Each coat darkens just a little more.  Use a ring of keys to distress leather between coats, then hand rub using natural oils from your hand.  Plan to start my holsters this weekend and will use this method for finishing.  Any techniques you all might have come across, please share with me.  I am like a sponge and will soak it up.

Thanks Pards,

Cattleman

[Skeeter Lewis]

Cattleman - yes, EVOO is good. It's the only thing I use to darken. Modern neatsfoot oil has ingredients like lard that won't do the leather much good. It's not pure any more.

[Ace Lungger]

Howdy Pards,
Skeeter, I am still able to buy pure neatsfoot oil, and the neatsfoot oil I am getting darkens 2-3 times darker than EVOO. I do see a lot of the neatsfoot compound, but I don't use it! I wonder what the difference is between what I use, and what you have experenced??
In no way do I doubt what you are saying Skeeter, you have been doing this a lot longer than me! I was just trying to figure out what might be the deal.
Later
ACE

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Ace I think you and Skeeter are both right to a degree, the 100% pure Neatsfoot Oil works fine and will darken leather, Neatsfoot compound has other ingredients, and is not the same, I really don't now a good use for the compound type Neatsfoot oil, EVOO ( Extra Virgin Olive Oil ) for those that don't understand  what EVOO is, EVOO will tend to oxidize a little faster ( darken ) than Neatsfoot oil will when you compare coat for coat on the same leather from the same hide, the sun really makes the difference here, I use both Neatsfoot and EVOO, on my leather, not at the same time, it depends on the look I'm after, this is why TESTING on scrap is important if you're looking for something special, try both separately, try more coats, try leaving the pieces in the sun, all these things will changes the color of your leather. Cattleman I hope this will help  you , along with Skeeter and Ace's post.

                                               Regards

                                           tEN wOLVES  

[Skeeter Lewis]

Ace, I'm sticking my neck out here, but I seem to remember Chuck saying that what passes for 'pure' neatsfoot oil nowadays in fact isn't. It may meet the criteria that have been laid down, but it isn't made from just 'cows' feet'. There's other stuff in it.

If I'm misquoting Chuck, I apologize in advance. But yes, it's terrific at darkening leather.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Skeet your not wrong here, The Neatsfoot they make today even though advertised as 100 % PURE Neatsfoot oil, isn't the same as the very early years as Chuck Burrows pointed out, but what they are selling as 100% pure still does a great job on leather, I have leather that is over forty years old that looks great, and it was treated with Neatsfoot oil back then in the finishing, it was Alfonso Penada's gun leather, Alfonso was one of the finest Leather smiths known, and he used Neatsfoot on all his leather, it was the only oil he used . That's why in my opinion, both these oils are worth using, both will give you good results, CowboyWC is a strong believer in Neatsfoot oil, and you can see how beautiful his leather looks, what is nice is we have these choices, to create different looks to our leather, and know we are putting a good product on them, for me what ever I put on them, I always finish off by putting a couple coats of Skidmores Leather Cream on as a last step in my process.

     I know I have found that there are several ways of doing most things, with some being just as good as the others, I like leather work because of all these variables, it makes it more interesting for me, there is always something to learn, I look forward to tying new things with an open mind, What I post here is just my opinion, every one has one of there own, and it's nice to be able to share these things with others.

                                                         Regards

                                                  tEN wOLVES     

[Ace Lungger]

Howdy Skeeter, 
I am sure that you and TW are right, that the stuff they call pure isn't. I don't think there is anything in the (what they call pure) will hurt the leather, as TW stated WC uses it and so does WG. And as I stated earlier, you have been doing this a lot longer than me, and I meant no disrespect to you, because I have seen your work, and you are a very talented leathersmith.
If I have offended you, please except my apolige!
later
ACE

[GunClick Rick]

So are these oils used in place of dyes for darkening or after for different appearances.I was reading somewhere you could still get whale oil or is whale oil for lubrication.? Is the neatsfoot and evoo for single aplication once or can you use it later for preservation purposes and bringing life back to old leather?

[Skeeter Lewis]

Some very talented leather workers use neatsfoot oil, and if they say it isn't harmful, that's good enough for me.

[Ace Lungger]

Rick,
I tell people to wipe there rigs with EVOO at least one a year.
Later
ACE

[Arizona Cattleman]

What a great forum. You get all sides to a topic.  Thanks for all your info and opinions.  Hey Ace is that you in the pic, nice to know what you look like.


Cattleman

[ChuckBurrows]

1) The info regarding neats foot oil and lard came direct from the manufacturers of Lexol and Lexol Non-Greasy Formula Neats Foot
2) Lard WILL NOT damage leather anymore than other animal fat - lard, beef and mutton tallow have all been used for thousands of years - old timers often swore by tallow...damage comes from OVER oiling - too much and the cell walls will collapse
3) My current preferred mis is a version of the old timers dubbin:
I normally use a mix of 5 parts tallow or lard (usually lard since it is cheap and easily available), 2 parts beeswax, 1-2 parts EVOO, and a tablespoon or two of melted pine pitch - I heat the whole mix together and blend - use room temp or warm it......

for some pointers on "aging" see here - courtesy of the Leather Crafter's and Saddler's Journal:
http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutorials/aging-leather-zurl.jpg

[Skeeter Lewis]

Thanks for that, Chuck. I guess I'd misunderstood what you were saying about animal fats. Skeet