Neatsfoot oil vs. Neatsfoot compound

[MikeRock]

Looking for the arguments against Neatsfoot compound.  My Amish harness guy is dead against compound, as were my former Amish harness shop buddies.  They argued that it rotted linen thread over time, causing some dramatic failures.

Any comments?  My local farm store used to carry pure Neatsfoot in gallons, but now only stocks Compound. 

God bless

[Dwight]

Remember the word "compound" . . . it's got some  neatsfoot oil in it . . . but the rest is just what ever was around at the time the order needed to be filled.

I'd  pour it on the saddles and in the tanks of a bunch of bikers I don't like . . . that's the only use I have for it.

May God bless,

Dwight

[MikeRock]

Dwight,

You echoed my thoughts..... 

God bless, SIR!!

[TomE]

I haven’t used compound but the Stohlmans mention (Encyclopedia of Saddle Making) they used the compound a lot without any bad effects although pure neatsfoot oil is no doubt the best. 

[badhatter1005]

Unfortunately some of the chems that they add to the compound can cause a breakdown in the tanning process of your leather. Might not be noticeable at first but after a while you will start to notice the wear. Same thing with mink oil. Stuff smells great and for a quick fix is fine however pure needs foot oil is definitely the way to go.

[fredk]

We have been testing NFO compound for almost a year now. No adverse affects on the test pieces

[SUP]

A lot of the negative publicity for Neatsfoot compound has been through hearsay. It is usually a case of, 'I heard...' and,  'Old-timers or longtime leather workers say..." who probably heard it from the other old-timers and so on. Even when people say it rotted something, they do not mention what else was used or how the item was used. Besides, synthetic thread does not rot. Natural fibre will, more with natural oils than with  silicones on them, which might actually be protective. Pure Neatsfoot oil is fine as long as you don't overdo it. Neatsfoot compound has silicones in it, along with other additives, which will probably have some protective effect. Just because silicones and other synthetic materials were unknown in past times, it does not mean they are bad. Many times, manufacturers and sellers of products spread misinformation about their competitor's products. I suspect that this could be how all the rumours about Neatsfoot compound started. Many of the ingredients in  Neatsfoot compound are also present in other products used to make leather shiny or water resistant or waterproof. Even so called conditioners that are popular, have the same or similar ingredients. e.g. Aussie conditioner which has a good amount of petroleum jelly!!

 

Edited September 3, 2024 by SUP

[TomE]

54 minutes ago, SUP said:

A lot of the negative publicity for Neatsfoot compound has been through hearsay. It is usually a case of, 'I heard...' and,  'Old-timers or longtime leather workers say..." who probably heard it from the other old-timers and so on. Even when people say it rotted something, they do not mention what else was used or how the item was used. Besides, synthetic thread does not rot. Natural fibre will, more with natural oils than with  silicones on them, which might actually be protective. Pure Neatsfoot oil is fine as long as you don't overdo it. Neatsfoot compound has silicones in it, along with other additives, which will probably have some protective effect. Just because silicones and other synthetic materials were unknown in past times, it does not mean they are bad. Many times, manufacturers and sellers of products spread misinformation about their competitor's products. I suspect that this could be how all the rumours about Neatsfoot compound started. Many of the ingredients in  Neatsfoot compound are also present in other products used to make leather shiny or water resistant or waterproof. Even so called conditioners that are popular, have the same or similar ingredients. e.g. Aussie conditioner which has a good amount of petroleum jelly!!

 

Yes, the only adverse effect I've seen is when a trainer soaked some of our pony tack in neatsfoot compound and made it permanently spongey and sticky to the touch.  Probably would have had the same outcome by soaking - over oiling - in pure neatsfoot oil.  The idea of hot oiling (heating neatsfoot oil in a crock pot before applying) boggles my mind.  I would think if the oil isn't absorbed at room temperature then it isn't needed.

[SUP]

Yes. And that would have been the effect of the Neatsfoot oil, not the additives. One has to be very careful with Neatsfoot oil as it can turn leather very soft and limp. I solved that on one piece of leather by keeping it under a candle warmer for a couple of hours. It stiffened up the leather so that it was at least useable. I put that tip on using a candle warmer up here as soon as I discovered it, though I don't know whether anyone took it seriously.  

Maybe the Neatsfoot oil needs to be warmed when used on thicker, stiffer leather. I don't use leather that is thicker than about 6 oz.  so cannot say anything about that. 

Natural fibres will rot over time, no matter what one does to protect it. That is why I use synthetic thread. More practical.

 

Edited September 3, 2024 by SUP

[RidgebackCustoms]

Not speaking to the structural / protective effects, but when oiling carved work I find it easier to get a more even (although not as dark) color using the compound.

I think because it is less viscous.