When, Why, and How to Condition your Leather Goods 

You're videos are the best for anyone wanted to learn for to get into leather crafting. I am hoping to start up a small online store in the coming year to start selling small batches of leather goods, and none of it would be possible without the education you and the other creators on RU-vid have provided to the community!

Conditioning is like religion. Everyone believes something different. I am a Bickmore Bick 4 fan. Introduced to me by Steve at Bedo's. I do use Neatsfoot oil. Sometimes the Aussie wax. Especially after water based dying. I have found one new technique. Using water-based adhesive, (German and Italian made) if I get any on my grain surface it is ruined. Water-based contact cement will leave a very bad mark. (solvent based contact cement does not) I have found a solution. Prior to gluing, I apply a thin coat of Smith's Leather balm on the grain. If I accidentally get adhesive on the grain, it wipes right off.

I've only been working with leather for less than a year, and your videos have been a treasure trove of information. Thank you!

As always, high quality information from an artisan of the highest quality. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with the rest of us. Every time I watch one of your videos I come away with pearls I can use to make my work that much better. Thank you.

Love you guys and the videos. Started doing leather work over 2 years ago. You were the first RU-vidrs I learned from. Glad to see you are always trying new things and still teaching the old ways and the reasons yada yada yada! I have had four knee surgeries myself and am retired. Nice that most of the leather work allows me to sit. 😊

I haven't commented in a long while, but I learn something from every one of your videos. Wonderful work as always! Thank you!

This is definitely one of my favorite videos you all put out. I hope to get to this point with leather work.

My overall favorite leather conditioner is Skidmores. For general purpose conditioning it has the perfect combination of oila and waxes, leaving the lather soft and supple and protected with one product. I also love it for treating brand new Sedgewick bridle as I find it to bee a little too stiff when brand new. I also like Obenauf's for shoes/boots and more rugged items like Eric mentions in the video. And Tandy's Dr. Jackson's Hide Rejuvinator is a great all-around conditioner if you don't want any wax.

Thanks for the great content as usual! I just got to say, as an Australian, it's usually pronounced "Ozzy". Soft O and hard Z "AU-ZZ-Y".

Can you explain the inner liner? I've always thought it looked weird having that little flap on the top and when I've made bifolds with a pattern that has it, I've just left it out. What I like to do instead is completely line the cash pouch on both sides, so with a 2/3oz veg I can get an outer and inner shell that's a little thicker, while still keeping the pockets thin. I also haven't had the money to buy two weights of veg to make the shell and pockets different though, so that may be more of an adaptation for me. I would love to hear your thoughts on that flap and lining in general though! Also, I felt super validated when you mentioned the limited glue and how it helps with repairability because that's what I thought/what I do, but I wasn't sure if that was the best way 😅 but I figured if the thread ever tears I can repair it so thanks for that lol

Heey, happy stool! I discovered the chair a few months back myself, a real game changer. Thanks for all your inspiring videos :)

watched this while oiling my new(to me they seem well used and cared for) leather pants for the first time! ive been putting it off for months lol. it was pretty hard to find any instructional videos for oiling large items, but i was able to learn a lot about general leather care from this video! i cant find anywhere if i have to add the conditioner after i use oil, but im assuming its fine. your creations are super cool!

I use one of your card wallet every day and i love it! Actually, i found more useful to me one that was in a grab bag that i bought with a wallet i purchased from you, it was a surprise!

I have been yearning for such training and I got it. Thank you so much Sir. South Africa 🇿🇦 ♥️

Great video Eric. Thank you. I told my wallet customer that the wallet had a lifetime warranty and to call me when he needs a repair. Hoping to hear from him in 7-8 years. Lol

I have been leather crafting for a couple years now, and really needed to know all of this >_< TY!

Professional video. Loved the Service culture.

Thank you for such an informative video. In my family I’m known as the leather guy and usually tasked rejuvenating my wife’s leather bags and out leather couch.

Uh, don't know if I'm ready for the big change. A stool?! I am shooketh. Love to see the longterm service customers get for their treasures. I agree, the repair is nice - seeing the wallet again that has been out in the world. How it is worn down and aged.

Single handedly keeping Bounty in business for the last 15 years.

Cozy is good. You go Glen Coco!

Thoughts on Smith's Leather Balm?

The patina! 😍

This is such a great video, packed full of so much helpful info. I have a leather travelers notebook I use for a wallet. I know next to nothing about leather, but it feels dry to me. And I KNOW the spine is dry-it's cracking. I have some mink oil I was going to use, but wasn't sure if it was ok to use on it. After reading many mixed reviews from the "experts," I was lead to believe it was the devil's spit, so didn't. I trust you, so I'll go ahead and use it. May pick up the Aussie conditioner as well. I don't have a heat gun. Do you think a blow dryer will do any good? To be fair, it isn't great quality leather at all, so I guess I have nothing to lose if I completely ruin it. Thanks again for the great content (love the new stool 😉)!

Somebody had the nerve to return a wallet they used for 10 years? OMG. You have amazing customer service.

ممنونم از توضیحات کامل و مفید شما

Thanks for the info. I always wanted to know the difference between the oils. Now I can tell my customers too when they ask the difference. I myself stick with Aussie as I tend not to use lots of liquids just because of being a klutz and spilling things

Thanks, Eric 😁 I learned a lot 😊

Love this thank you for all the content guys you both have helped me a lot

What would you recommend to darken a backpack with Horween Veg Tan Essex Leather! without ruining the leather, I was looking at the description of the bag and it mentioned that the leather was slightly bleached so I was hoping I could tan the leather a bit more if possible.

Please, hold the camera still. This is an awesome video to watch, to see how time only makes leather form to its owner. What conditioner would you suggest for severely dry LV vachetta that’s beginning to crack? I’ve used Becks, but it doesn’t seem to penetrate.

I used to use mink oil until I discovered horse oil, this oil is similar to mink oil, but, less greasy, with thinner gel-like properties, also it won't stain most leather as mink oil and neatsfoot oil will. It's rendered from horse shin bones rather than mink oil that comes fats from the fur trade. It's naturally high in linolenic acid that keeps leather supple for longer. Neatsfoot oil comes from the rendered fats from cattle shin bones but it's far inferior to horse oil. Horse oil is used in "high end" cosmetic products because it's so pure and good. Try it and you'll see why it's the best (but also a bit more expensive.) But if you have selected the best leather, thread and pattern and you've spent hours building the best leather product that you can, it's worth using the best horse oil for the look and longevity. In my opinion it's a game changer!

new mic is awesome,!

Awesome info. Great video, thanks for the education you put out!💪

Fantastic video!

Which main cord do you use? Waxed (woven or twisted) cord? I'm new at this. Thank you

Thank you

How about olive oil

Great video. I have a question. My wife has a very similar vintage bag. Had to be stored in bottom of closet. One corner pushed in. Doesn't stay popped out. Any ideas how to get it back out? Thanks

Sorry, a little off topic, what weight of leather do you use for wallets? Also, you’ve made me realize I need to buy quality supplies and stop buying from Amazon! Buckleguy all the way👍🏼 keepin it local

Got a question, belt got nasty. Washed it with glycerin bar soap. Would neetsfoot oil be a good choice? It is pretty dry from the wash.

Love the video! Any substitutes for mink oil?

How does conditioning leather treated with acrylic sealers differ from leather treated with oils? Do you do it the exact same way?

Where do you get that lid for the mink oil? I’ve only ever seen a regular screw off lid.

Excellent!

Very good

What type of conditioner would you recommend for Horween vegetable tanned leather?

Wow, The rebuild seems to be nearly as much work as making it!

How do u do edging if u don't glue? I'm new, just curious because I've been struggling with my glue on finished leather.

Do you refinish the edges on the billfold when you do a full restitch?

Hi, i m planning to craft my own leather toolbelt. Any suggestions/tips how to add padding to the inner side?!

Should we use beeswax on a newly made product or leave it and let the oils from your hands to condition it?

so informative👌👌👌

Ooooh so that’s the benefit of not gluing… 🤯 Edit: yeah…maybe I’ll reduce the amount of gluing after all. Repairability makes sense and being able to pull apart the components without damaging them seems preferable over some added robustness that will come back to bite you when you need to repair things…

Can this Aussie Leather Conditioner be used on an aniline leather sofa?

I bought a handmade wallet that smells strongly of chemicals. I've tried several things to no avail. When exposed for a couple minutes I get a strong, lasting, headache. Is there something I can do to save it, or should I call it a loss? I've tried to soak up the smell with baking soda, cleaning with white vinegar, using leather cleaners, and hung in front of a fan for 8 hours,

Is the Aussie leather conditioner or mink oil be something to put on wallets when you first make them? I'm not selling just gifts but want to sell when I get better

Do you have any opinion about Pecards leather dressing?

Where did you get your metal roller?

how does one condition crazy horse type leather without it losing the colors please?

OLD Leather Smith here, it's nice 2. C U in front of the camera again. GOD'S BLESSINGS ✝️⚾🙃

Is it safe to do this to Chrome tan?

Is it ok to use alcohol to clean the leather?

interesting

Museum curators and other restaurateurs especially of historic library inventory where leather is to be conditioned will STRONGLY disagree with this video. There was a big study initiated/granted by congress on mink oil and other natural oils in leather conditioning of old book covers of historic value in archives and so on ... result was use synthetic oil leather conditioners!

Imagine making a wallet so good you think the owner takes good care of it, but actually, it's just a well made wallet

Ok

Yeah not a fan of these big changes your making ! Unsubbed! How dare you use a chair !? J/k thanks for the knowledge

The outside leather patina is butt sweat and butt oils😂

A stool!? Next you'll tell us it swivels!

Great info as usual, but you might want to stop using auto focus. So many part were not in focus, or get a faster focussing camera. Also, as an Aussie, its pronounced Ozzie.

Is that a face reveal of Kayleena or your mom on the thumbnail?

I don't agree with this current of life time guarantee . People from the industry (leather factories ) must have jobs always. The reuse of leather goods are making this jobs and factories disapear