Hermann Oak Bridle Vs Harness

[Acceptable]

I purchased 1.5" strips of ~10-11 oz HO Bridle (not English Bridle) and Harness leathers from a seller on eBay.

To a beginner like myself, both leathers feel and look almost identical. Should this be the case?

Both are very stiff, hard, with little stretch, and a relatively smooth surface.

Is Lexol conditioner appropriate for both leathers?

Edited December 16, 2015 by Acceptable

[Art]

You shouldn't need ANY conditioner with either of those leathers. I have more experience with Wickett & Craig leathers, and harness is always more oily.

Art

[Acceptable]

You shouldn't need ANY conditioner with either of those leathers. I have more experience with Wickett & Craig leathers, and harness is always more oily.

Art

Even after using the leather as a belt for about a year, I shouldn't need any conditioning?

More broadly though, is Lexol conditioner appropriate for high-end pure vegtan leathers?

[Art]

I would be leery of using harness for a belt, it might have a little oil leach out. Bridle is a lot better.

Bridle or Harness should last for many years without conditioning if used for a belt. Outside in arid conditions, leather should be inspected once a year and conditioned if appropriate.

I am not a proponent of Lexol (the cleaner maybe). I use paste conditioners like Pecard's or Montana Pitchblend. I do not seal leather in plastics, acrylics, or other things that prevent the leather breathing, or drying if wet. My finishes of choice are Leather Balm with Atom Wax, Carnauba Cream, and Bag-Kote.

Art

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

Ho's regular Bridle is a fairly oily leather. I'm with Art above, both on using Bridle and Harness for a belt and the Lexol. I wouldn't use either the HO Bridle or Harness for a belt because they are both pretty firm leathers and will take a long time to break in. Comfort (or lack of) is going to be a factor. Lexol, I'm not a fan of the conditioner. It simply doesn't do anything. After a period of maybe 20 years of not using it I thought I'd give it another chance, for some saddles and items I didn't want darkened as much as oil will darken. It reaffirmed my original opinion. It just doesn't do enough to justify having it around. The Lexol cleaner is good stuff though. If you do use either leather for your belt project, unless it is seeing extreme hard use under adverse conditions, I wouldn't think it will need conditioning for a long time, maybe a couple years or more.