doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Saddle soap on 70 year old Leg O' Mutton?

Would saddle soap on a 70 year old Leg O' Mutton actually help to preserve the leather -- or would it just go on uneven, look awful and take away from the antique charm?

I tried on one earlier this year and was not pleased with the results. Sent it, and another, to Kevin McCormack and he worked his magic on them. I forgot what two products he told me he uses, but it restored the luster, made some of the worse scars less noticeable, yet retained the old look. Exactly what I wanted. Kevin is the man for cases.

I have some "before" pics, but I will try to get some "afters", today, and post them here.

SRH

Saddle Soap is foremost a cleaner. For Aniline leather which is the usual type of leather used in vintage gun cases a leather food preparation would be more appropriate, look for one containing Neatsfoot Oil.

I use Saddle Soap on an old Brauer leg o mutton case that I purchased on Ebay. It cleaned it up beautifully and any surface scuffs seemed to have disappeared. I tend to clean it up with Saddle Soap about once per year and am very pleased with the results. I like the fact that the case continues to look like it has some age to it without the scuffs.

Damascus is quite correct but I go to a good riding shop (I live hear Newmarket!) and buy there expensive but brilliant hide foods designed for saddles, bridles and other riding tack.
Saddles are expensive bits of kit and the owners don't mess around with stuff that doesn't work so I can buy with confidence.
Don't bother with saddle soap, it doesn't carry enough leather food to make a significant impact on dry, old leather.
It will however clean up DIRTY leather that doesn't need feeding.

There's neatsfoot gel soap available, best of both worlds ?

Now you can call me pedantic if you wish but in this world of advertising and sharp practice just using a name for example "Neatsfoot" means nothing. But if the the words on the container say "Neatsfoot Oil" it has to contain the rather expensive real thing not an alternative or an adulterated version. Will you indulge me a little further for an interesting explanation. A Neat is an old English name for a bovine and Neatsfoot oil is what it says, oil rendered from the beasts feet. This oil has been used here in Brit land for well over a thousand years for the preservation and protection of leather goods. So Look for the real thing paying close attention to the ingredients list.

With Neetsfoot a little bit goes a long way. A small swatch of real sheepskin is the best applicator, in my opinion. After cleaning and light oiling an application of Fiebings harness dressing to protect the surface and seal the oil in can be useful. YMMV

http://www.lexol.com/product/leather-care/leather-conditioner-1
JR

FWIW, I had a stitching repairs on a leg of mutton by a local fellow who does high end saddle repairs. He recommended I use Fiebing's Aussie Leather Conditioner, which is what he uses on saddles and tack. Amazing stuff IMO.