Thread: What the proper way to apply neatsfoot oil?

What's the proper way to apply neatsfoot oil to a strop? How long after the applicaton can you use it?

I lay mine on a piece of newspaper (on a table) and apply the oil to a soft cloth and then rub it on the strop. A little goes a long way and you don't want too much of a good thing. I would wait overnight before using it but I'm not sure that is necessary. It will increase draw and darken the leather.

Um, depends on what you mean by "proper".

To me, proper application would be only as needed and sparingly. General practice is to rub it in with the palm of your hand. A few drops are all that you really need. Allow to dry overnight if possible.

Also, you will probably not need to apply neatsfoot oil to a new strap for some time. Simply rubbing the strap with the palm of your hand will be enough, as the hands have lots of oils that can be rubbed right into the leather. How long between neatsfoot oil applications is hard to say, and depends a great deal on how heavily used the strap is, as well as weather and storage conditions.

Hope that helps

Too much oil will not do it much good, use very sparingly. When I use oil which is rarely put a few drops into the palm of the hand, runb your hands together then rub into the strop. This will get about the same results as using a rag as already described. I'd rather work a little in at a time as needed rather than over do it.

If you go through the archives here you may likely find more threads asking how to remove products that were applied to strops than those telling you to apply something. You can get great results with Neat's Foot Oil and you can also wind up wishing you had not done it.....it's a fine line.

Tony

Well, at least I've got a better idea than I had before. Sounds like rubbing a litte on your hands and doing it that way is just one step above using the oils from your hands, which I was already doing from time to time.

I'm also aware it's a lot easier to put more on than to take off too much. Thanks for the info.

Hmm... If you have a feedstore, or a western wear shop nearby, mebbe. IDK if your average superstore carries it... Wouldnt hurt to check tho!

I found mine @ the stand that sell the shoe polish, it is used for water proofing I think.
I used just a few drops on my palms rubbed it nicely on the strop and I got the best results. Before I used baby oil and lather, but the neats foot oil definitely beats them.