Thread: Horsehide break-in

If it is the heavyweight, quite stiff type of hide you won't have much luck with neatsfoot on its own as you have found, let alone rubbing your hand on it! The hard type of horse leather requires an extensive break-in involving lathering (or saddle-soaping), rolling and oiling.

The exception is the very high-grade shell which needs very little or no breaking in, but which is incredibly expensive: you need 5 sq ft of shell cordovan to make a pair of shoes, and the shells are in the region of 2 to 2.5 sq ft. It is an odd shape too, and long pieces are rare so very expensive. The area most used for strop leather comes from either side of the shells - it is longer, but harder/stiffer than the shell cordovan.

I know that Tony only uses the best material he can get, so the break-in may not be necessary at all - perhaps you only have to get used to the different feel or horse-hide! I would ask him about it, if I was you.

Regards,
Neil