Neatsfoot Oiling A Project

[jerry m]

When and why would I neatsfoot oil a project? I have only heard of using neatsfoot oil as a conditioner, long after the project has been in use. Please enlighten me on the use of neatsfoot oil (is it used to harden leather??)

[JLSleather]

Other way around ... this is to prevent hardening. When you wet / case leather, the water evaporates out. When the water goes out, it takes some of the oils with it (just like human skin). General rule, the faster it dries the more oil lost (much like a sunburn). Neatsfoot puts it back.

Couple of other benefits too, but it's early ...

[Nutty Saddler]

Being an English saddler we are told that neatsfoot oil is the spawn of satan - Bridle leather , we are told , should only ever be greased and if neatsfoot oil is used it should only be done so very sparingly and only about once a year . The best product for saddlery leather is curriers grease .

Curriers grease is about 1/4 neatsfoot oil & 3/4 rendered beef fat , there are a few extras such as a bit of cod liver oil and some beeswax - the whole lot is heated ( not boiled ) and mixed together , when it has cooled you end up with a greasy/fatty substance and this , we are told , is the best stuff for keeping leather in good shape .