In the Brooks catalogs of the twenties and thirties they recommended the use of neatsfoot oil. From Wikipedia: Neatsfoot oil is a yellow oil rendered and purified from the feet and shin bones (not the hooves) of cattle. It is used as a conditioning, softening and preservative for leather, and remains liquid down to a low temperature.
Neatsfoot oil is produced much less than it once was. Currently, the shins and feet of cattle are usually rendered along with the rest of the body. Also, many products sold as neatsfoot oil are actually diluted with petroleum oil, which is bad for leather.
The best quality neatsfoot oil comes from the legs of calves. The fat in animals' legs generally has a lower melting point than the body fat, which means that it is more fluid and easier to use at lower temperatures, making it more effective for treating leather.
'Neat' in the oil's name comes from an old term for animals of the genus Bos, especially cattle.
Chuck Schmidt, South Pasadena, CA
Doug Van Cleve wrote:
> FWIW,
>
> The old Cyclopedia catalog recommended SnoSeal for the Brooks and
> Ideale saddles they sold...
>
> Doug Van Cleve
> Chandler, AZ USA
>
>
> On 3/7/07, Ken Freeman <freesound@comcast.net> wrote:
>> Ok, here are some prejudices, since I don't do much to saddles to
>> make them
>> work:
>>
>> If the sagging of an expensive and critical component, a favorite
>> saddle, is
>> a risk, why would you take it if you don't have to? In other
>> words, why
>> would you use anything other than what Brooks recommended as a
>> dressing on a
>> Brooks saddle? That means use Proofide, not neatsfoot, Snoseal,
>> Snow Proof,
>> motor oil, Wesson oil, or anything else.
>>
>> If the saddle as new does not have adequate comfort, you really
>> shouldn't
>> ride it for "ever" to force it to break in. If the shape or
>> dimensions are
>> wrong for you, break=in won't change that, and softening is just
>> likely to
>> move the pressure points to places you don't want tthem, like the
>> perineum
>> rather than the ischial tuberosities.
>>
>> End of prejudicial rant!
>>
>> Ken Freeman
>> Ann Arbor, MI USA
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org
>> [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of bruce
>> thomson
>> Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2007 2:11 AM
>> To: hsachs@alumni.rice.edu; Classic Rendezvous
>> Subject: Re: [CR]Snow Proof on leather saddles?
>>
>> Harvey: I have used another product that seems to work better than
>> most I
>> have tried on all my leather products. Its Skidmores Leather
>> Cream. I have
>> used this for many projects and on some darned good leather
>> saddles. Its
>> not greasy or slick and is not soggy like Neatsfoot Oil. It has a
>> good
>> reputation and if I said that I used it on my cowboy boots would
>> you think
>> less of me? O.K. I use it on my Detto and Vittoria shoes. BT
>>
>> Harvey Sachs <hmsachs@verizon.net> wrote:
>> Please share your wisdom with the list if you have long-term
>> experience
>> using Snow Proof (brand) on quality leather saddles, as an
>> alternative to or
>> in addition to things like Brooks Prooofhide. some seem to think
>> it is the
>> best thing ever, and others that it breaks down the leather and
>> ruins the
>> saddle. Heck, if yoyu don't have experience, prejudices and urban
>> legends
>> are a close second. :-)
>>
>> thanks
>>
>> harvey "aren't tomatos poisonous?" sachs McLean Va
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> Bruce Thomson Spokane WA 99204
>> (509) 747 4314
>> Masi3v4me@yahoo.com
>>
>>
>>
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