Using neatsfoot oil to soften riding boots?

[titch]

I have a lovely pair of new leather riding boots, which I am currently trying to wear in!!

I have been walking around the house in them but it seems to be taking forever to get them to soften!! So I have thought of using neatsfoot oil on them to help them soften and drop. I use it on all my tack but had never thought about using it on boots before, so I'm not sure if it's a very good idea or not!!

Has anyone used it on boots before? If so did it help much? Would I put it just around the ankle where I want them to drop, or would I put it on the whole boot? Or does anyone have any better suggestions for me?!

 

[unicornleather]

No, not oil!!
Especially neatsfoot!
Try aussies leather food by fiebings, I use it and sell it or any leather food that has any or all of the following ingredients:
beeswax, lanolin, tallow.
It supples up leather nicely, Oz

 

[Donkeymad]

[ QUOTE ]
No, not oil!!
Especially neatsfoot!


[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto.

Thank god and thank you Oz.

 

[unicornleather]

lol, you are welcome Donklet!
Nice picture!
Oz

 

[titch]

I knew it would be safest to ask before doing it!! Silly idea of mine!

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll have a look for them now!

 

[unicornleather]

No, not silly at all, not everyone is born with the knowledge despite some thinking they are, always ask if you are in doubt and if possible and I know the answer I will always try to help where I can, Oz

 

[giobemo]

Year old post now, I know, but since I just came across it I figure others might too.

Anyway, just wanted to say that, no it definitely was not a silly idea of yours, to be sure. This web site in fact recommends treating ALL boots with Neatsfoot Oil and gives step by step instructions: http://www.helium.com/items/1648688-what-care-and-cleaning-do-cowboy-boots-require

To each their own, I guess!

 

[Mike007]

We were told not to use neatsfoot oil on our army boots as it allegedly rotted the stitching. I cant see why it should however,and it never damaged my boots.It does make them very difficult to get a good shine on ,however.

 

[Sanolly]

We were told not to use neatsfoot oil on our army boots as it allegedly rotted the stitching. I cant see why it should however,and it never damaged my boots.It does make them very difficult to get a good shine on ,however.

So surely it wouldn't be a good thing to use on tack?

Why not oil on boots?

 

[Rose Folly]

Have to disagree with Unicorn Leather, even though he/she sounds as though they're in the trade. I was given a pair of Maxwell boots (lord knows what they cost nowadays) on my 18th birthday. They were neatsfooted occasionally, boned (literally) with bones, and hand polished as a finale - i.e using the palm of your hand rather than a cloth.

I had them for 20 years and than sold them to a friend with slimmer legs than mine! who is still wearing them and still looking after them. I saw them the other day and they look fabulous. So neatsfoot certainly hasn't hurt them.

 

[milliepup]

I agree with Neatsfoot oil! I was very luckily given a second hand pair of Konigs which looked like they had been worn to death and never looked after. They were so hard it was unreal but I put NF on the whole boot for 7 days running and when it stopped soaking in stopped. Cleaned with good old fairy liquid and then polished with normal boot polish and elbow grease. I know have a very soft nearly new looking pair of boots that only need brushing off after use and polishing once a fortnight to give them back there shine.
Good luck!