Natural fats for preserving leather

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Natural fats for preserving leather

Post by sha » 08 Mar 2015, 12:13 pm

Apparently melted lamb fat works to waterproof and preserve leather.

'back in the day' it makes sense, is it still a decent option these days or are you better with something synthetic?

Worried about it stinking a bit..... ?
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Re: Natural fats for preserving leather

Post by 1290 » 08 Mar 2015, 12:23 pm

I'd prefer to use the stuff from the outside, rather than the inside.. Lanolin; conveniently packaged in a tub for you!
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Re: Natural fats for preserving leather

Post by anthillinside » 08 Mar 2015, 12:56 pm

I don't know exactly what's in Dubbin but it works and has done for many years.
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Re: Natural fats for preserving leather

Post by Westy » 08 Mar 2015, 1:30 pm

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I think it's made from mutton Fat isn't it?????
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Re: Natural fats for preserving leather

Post by Oldbloke » 08 Mar 2015, 1:54 pm

Lanolin comes out of the wool rather than the flesh
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Re: Natural fats for preserving leather

Post by Chronos » 08 Mar 2015, 4:27 pm

Westy wrote:^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I think it's made from mutton Fat isn't it?????



yeah, dubbin is mutton fat, it's widely known to waterproof and soften leather but it will rot out the stitching on your gear eventually.

products like snowseal are not animal fat based so won't go rancid with time

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Re: Natural fats for preserving leather

Post by KWhorenet » 08 Mar 2015, 5:22 pm

+1 snow seal (warm leather to melt and rub in wax then buff off excess when cold)

bees wax to protect and boiled linseed oil to soften + protect would be my top picks.
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Re: Natural fats for preserving leather

Post by Westy » 08 Mar 2015, 6:05 pm

^^^^^^^^^
That I didn't know thanks Steve and KW
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Re: Natural fats for preserving leather

Post by Guliver » 08 Mar 2015, 6:12 pm

KWhorenet wrote:+1 snow seal (warm leather to melt and rub in wax then buff off excess when cold)

bees wax to protect and boiled linseed oil to soften + protect would be my top picks.


Another sno seal fan here, I wore some old shoes down the range in the rain the other day, it's at least 3 years since these shoes had been treated, water just rolled of my perfectly dry shoes.

Sno-Seal Original Beeswax Waterproofing protects leather from rain, sun, snow, and salt. Sno-Seal is also great for waxed cotton and tent seams. The beeswax formula dries to a solid wax that "stays put" in the surface of the leather so it lasts longer. Our competitors' greases, oil, and animal products are able to migrate through the leather till they clog all the pores. These waterproofing products fill the natural spaces that are supposed to absorb perspiration and insulate.

In addition, animal fats weaken and rot leather. The tannery worked hard to remove the fats and preserve the leather, so it's hard to imagine why you'd put it back on.

Sno-Seal will help you feel more comfortable in Gore-Tex® fabric lined boots because it allows the Gore-Tex® absorbed perspiration to escape out of the leather.
Not only will Sno-Seal keep you warm and dry, it will also help you from getting tired. A typical leather boot can soak up to a pound of water. That means you lift an additional 2,212 lbs. to walk one mile. Sno-Seal keeps the whole boot dry, warm and light.

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Re: Natural fats for preserving leather

Post by KWhorenet » 08 Mar 2015, 6:23 pm

I have a pair of Dr Martin's 6 hole leather hiking boots I bought in 1993 when undercut hair do and faded holey jeans were in.

Snow seal tub I bought back then is still as good as ever and I still use it. The boots haven't been worn in ages (soles are almost gone) but a clean and new application would see the tops last for another 20 years I suspect. Stitching is perfect.
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Re: Natural fats for preserving leather

Post by handofcod » 08 Mar 2015, 7:08 pm

I use neatsfoot oil on my homemade book covers.

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Re: Natural fats for preserving leather

Post by sha » 09 Mar 2015, 12:45 pm

Chronos wrote:yeah, dubbin is mutton fat, it's widely known to waterproof and soften leather but it will rot out the stitching on your gear eventually.

products like snowseal are not animal fat based so won't go rancid with time


Hadn't thought of it damaging the stitching and stuff.

So much for that then, thanks for all the replies guys.

I'll try something like snow seal instead.
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Re: Natural fats for preserving leather

Post by hrrl » 09 Mar 2015, 12:45 pm

KWhorenet wrote:+1 snow seal


Thought we were talking about actual seals for a minute there :wtf:

Thinking how the f*** does that work :lol:

Stupid thought :oops:
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Re: Natural fats for preserving leather

Post by 1290 » 09 Mar 2015, 1:01 pm

handofcod wrote:I use neatsfoot oil on my homemade book covers.

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So.... you are a crafty fella, very nice. Waxed hide? 3mm?
Do you sell these items, or personal consumption?

Neats foot...cow foot, but a bit more palatable, hey :lol:
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Re: Natural fats for preserving leather

Post by Zilla » 09 Mar 2015, 1:25 pm

Pro work HOC :thumbsup:
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