Derek,
Much of what has been labeled as Neats Foot Oil in the US contained petroleum products or is entirely petroleum based. This will certainly damage leather!
When I was a preteen I saved up and bought a new baseball glove. At the advise of everyone I treated it with "Neats Foot Oil" which ruined the glove forever. It always smelled like motor oil!
True Neats Foot Oil is a natural product:
"Neatsfoot oil is a yellow oil rendered and purified from the shin bones and feet (but not the hooves) of cattle. "Neat" in the oil's name comes from an old name for cattle."
http://www.neatsfootoil.com/
Chas. Colerich Oakland, CA USA
Derek Athey wrote:
> I am surrpised that you, of all people with such esteemed knowledge of all
> things Brooks, should deride Neats Foot Oil. Why is it that for decades
> pre-war, cycle riders used Neats Foot Oil on bicycle saddles prior to
> Proofide coming on the market? All the old cycling maintenace books I've
> ever read suggest Neat for conditioning saddles once a year or for
> reconditioning.
>
> I would be interested in your reasoning for your comments.
>
> Regards
> Derek Athey
> Honiton, Devon UK