Club Obi Wan

...somebody, anybody, help me find the research, the words, and the wherewithal to explain to my city's most reputable leather repairman, THAT MINK OIL IS NO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This guy has a good rep for being an excellent restorer/repairer of leather goods, particularly jackets. He fixed up a second hand two button blazer for me and it looked great. Problem is, he used mink oil to restore it.

I explained to him my fears concerning rancidity but he said that the risk is low and only worrisome in warmer climates (?). I tried to explain that since there is a risk (if only in hotter weather), why take that chance at all when a PH balanced product (like Pecards) will do wonders for the leather and NOT create a hazard.

He wouldn't have any of it. He shrugged me off and basically refused to talk further about it. He's an 'expert' after all.

My jacket does look good but I'm debating lexol'ing it (to clean off the mink) and then pecarding it.

Is there a conclusive, definitive source of info that accurately denounces the use of mink oil on leather goods, or is this in fact conjecture on our parts?

Come to think of it, if Mink Oil IS so bad, why is it used at all?

north.

I'll well defer the answer to this aged question to Michaelson. He has first hand experience with using Mink Oil on his jackets. Also there are plenty of others in this forum from the southern climates that can attest to this phenomenon.

It seems insects and varmits are attracted to the smell. And overtime, bacteria and fungus could set in, rotting the leather and stiching. I think your local guy was maybe alluding to "if the jacket was properly cleaned and stored" then there should be not any issue with using mink oil. But why take that chance?

And as you pointed out there are issues with using animal by-products on leather than will eventually turn rancid. For that explanation our current resident in-chief, "LeatherLoco" or Eric, from Pecards can explain to you (us) the benefits of using non-animal based conditioners, like Pecards. Also if you go to the Pecards website they have an explanation there as well. I think the polite phrasing is, that mink oil or animal fat product "could" do harm if the jacket is not properly cleaned and stored prior to use.

Also from another datapoint, the old time whip makers concoct their own special brew of conditioner using some animal fat rendered in a boiling pot mixed in some kerosene. The kerosene is blended in so that again, it renders the leather to be unappealing to the varmit, fungus, insect community. The reason they did it? Well in Australia, sheep and sheep fat is in abundance, so it was CHEAP. I know Paul Stenhouse for awhile was using this method. What can I say, he's got some Scottish blood running through his viens. You know, T-H-R-I-F-T-Y! Not sure if Paul is still using this method, but David Morgan and others strictly stay with Pecards or similar type products now. David buys his Pecards by the gallon.


Hope this helps....

-S

When i was stateside in March,i asked a friend where can i get Pecards and he said "dont bother,use Stubens its better" and i use it on all my leather(jackets,saddle,whips,riding boots etc etc etc) and couldnt be happier.I was told that the Stubbens Haminol is a little more organic and still PH balanced.
Later

Is that captain Stubens? LOL

Yeah, y'know, this has been the dilemma.

I've heard around here that organic is bad. It supposedly goes rancid, attracts insects and stuff and generally should be avoided.

Then, this leather guy said that that's bs and that only in very very hot weather will mink oil go rancid and that, generally, it's ph level and organic makeup make it the best choice for an otherwise natural material.

Then, I've heard rebuttals that suggest that Pecards is simply perfect for leather because of it's PH level and that it will do the best job.

Then I heard a guy from Mark Allen say that organic dressings that are less heavy are best (for whips at least) because they don't weigh the leather down and because they don't remain on the whip to attract dirt and dust as easily.

Well, I am now hearing about Stubens.

I'd really love to hear someone break it all down so we can truly have the latest word and state of the art in leather protection/care products.

Perhaps there is more than one way to skin a cat after all..?

anyone??



north

Sounds like it's time for a leather conditioner shootout..

IndyNorth wrote: I'd really love to hear someone break it all down so we can truly have the latest word and state of the art in leather protection/care products.

north

You want to know what the best product is? It's the one that you find works best for you. You're looking for a definitive answer and there isn't one to be had. Everyone likes something different for different reasons. All you can do is compile all the data and hearsay and make an informed decision based on what you want the product for.

-Kyle

...is that Pecards subcontracts for a LOT of those so called 'latest and greatest' leather conditioner companies, and what you think is the newest and best stuff available, you're actually using Pecards under that companies name! Who are these companies? That's one of the best kept secrets at the Pecards company, and client confidential. I'm guessing if it's advertised as pH balanced, thats a pretty good clue to it's real source (just MY guess here). A product shoot out is a neat idea, but you'll need to make sure you're not comparing apples with oranges (a REAL popular phrase around here, isn't it? (grins)), as are you comparing manufacturer against another manufacturer, or a manufacturer against a vendor? You may be comparing apples with apples and not even know it. Regards. Michaelson

I explained to him my fears concerning rancidity but he said that the risk is low and only worrisome in warmer climates (?). I tried to explain that since there is a risk (if only in hotter weather), why take that chance at all when a PH balanced product (like Pecards) will do wonders for the leather and NOT create a hazard.

He wouldn't have any of it. He shrugged me off and basically refused to talk further about it. He's an 'expert' after all.

I think there's another issue here. If you have concerns about a product being used and ask that it not being used on the Merchandise you intend to purchas- he doesn't listen and goes ahead anyway cause "he's the expert"... I wouldn't do buisness with him.

As for Mink Oil going bad, while living in Upstate NY, I used some on an Old A2 I bough. After a while, I smelled death everywhere I went when I wore it. Had to remove it and put something esle on.