Mineral oil bad for leather? Or good? Or neutral?

[fredk]

I'm going to check all my pieces and re-oil if I think they need it

So far nothing bad has happened with them but they've now sort-of dried out a bit

[SUP]

Yes, commenting every month or so is a good idea.

About oiling, I thought I would check which of the leather pieces require oiling and which I can postpose for a while. It will tell us the frequency needed for the different oils.

[fredk]

I have something to report! Something happened!

Gale force winds broke the cord holding pieces #2 and #3 and blew those pieces away from the hanging frame. But its ok, I found them, put new string on and rehung them

[dikman]

Speaking of mineral oil, I recently bought an electric shaver and the instructions mentioned regular oiling of the cutters, so naturally I looked up the MSDS of the commercial oils. Guess what, it's mineral oil!

This stuff is turning into a "wonder oil" for many things - leatherwork, firearms, shavers, baby products, the list keeps growing.

[SUP]

@fredk Wow. Those must have been some winds! 

@dikman   And people thinks it is bad and 'not organic' while unknowingly using it everywhere.

[MikeRock]

Fred,

Do you use Castrol in your Austin?  Sure loved the smell when I was racing bikes...  I wonder if the castor oil addition makes a difference on your leather auto straps?

[fredk]

I do use Castrol in my Austin engine. But it doesn't get any where the straps on the outside. Its getting hard to get now though

@SUP 60 -70 mph winds and weak hempen twine

[SUP]

@fredk, like during the monsoons in Bombay, now Mumbai. 'Curl up with a good book and a cup of hot tea and biscuits' weather, we called it, while the wind rattled the windows and palm fronds lashed violently.

[fredk]

They would be very strong but as ex-postie I enjoy being out in the wind and rain

[SUP]

I understand that! In my teens, my friends and I used to walk along the shore in that rain and wind. Rocky shore, so not much sand to contend with. Else that would not have been possible. But great marine specimens to be found post- storm!