What is the best leather oil to use to darken my new saddle and bridle?

Question

I just received my new custom Schleese saddle, what is THE BEST leather oil and conditioner to darken it? I'd like my new bridle to darken considerably too.

Answer 1

Check with the manufacturer and see what they recommend. Some leather company's don't use the same tanning processes and its possible that using the wrong product could damage your tack.
For example, Stuben uses a vegetable based tanning process, not chemical, and they created Haminol to clean and oil their products so as not to ruin the leather.
If the company doesn't have a particular recommendation, you could try Lexol brand products. You won't have the stitch rotting or rancid smell you get with neatsfoot oil. One answer suggested "mink oil or neatsfoot oil they're the same thing". They are not the same. Mink oil is actually a cream used for waterproofing leather. It will darken the leather but the tone will not be consistant and it will look blotchy. Good Luck.

Answer 2

I would avoid the Mink/Neatsfoot Oil as it can rot the stitches, plus it can take on a kind of "rancid" smell on hot days.

Use a product like Blue Ribbon brand saddle oil... made for darkening leather. However you may end up with a patchy job at best.

Is your saddle the Newmarket color? If so, I would leave it as is... that is the current trend in most show venues anyhoo...

Good luck!!!

Answer 3

Depending on how light the saddle is and how dark you want it you might be best off to take it in and have them strip it dye it and then oil it.
You can get some darkening from oiling but sometimes it can be patchy and not always even in color.
I use Lexol cleaner and conditioner on my saddles.

Answer 4

Mink oil, also known as 'neatsfoot oil' ... these are the same thing and the names are more specific in the 'general leather' and 'shoe' industries.