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SgtLumpy · July 8, 2013, 10:14 PM

I've used saddle soap on saddles and other leather horse tack that has sat for ages and dried to the really stiff condition. I think it's some kind of very light oil, emulsified in water. Which I think defines what soap is. A lot of horse people use "Tone" or other or other moisturizing bar soap. I think the concept is all the same. Not too much oil, allow it to wash off a bit with water, dry and buff.

I don't care for neatsfoot or mink oil. That kind of stuff always seems to leave things greasy.

There was a heated argument here recently on what to use on holsters. Perhaps this application is calmer than the holster argument since the scabbard isn't formed or boned to any particular weapon.

We've got some 100+ year old tack that stays just fine with a little saddle soap every four or five years. And that was after it had sat for maybe 30 years in a hot Arizona shed, unused.

Sgt Lumpy

July 8, 2013, 10:14 PM	#2
SgtLumpy Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2013 Posts: 779	I've used saddle soap on saddles and other leather horse tack that has sat for ages and dried to the really stiff condition. I think it's some kind of very light oil, emulsified in water. Which I think defines what soap is. A lot of horse people use "Tone" or other or other moisturizing bar soap. I think the concept is all the same. Not too much oil, allow it to wash off a bit with water, dry and buff. I don't care for neatsfoot or mink oil. That kind of stuff always seems to leave things greasy. There was a heated argument here recently on what to use on holsters. Perhaps this application is calmer than the holster argument since the scabbard isn't formed or boned to any particular weapon. We've got some 100+ year old tack that stays just fine with a little saddle soap every four or five years. And that was after it had sat for maybe 30 years in a hot Arizona shed, unused. Sgt Lumpy