Thread: Neatsfoot Oil on Latigo?

My 3 1/2 inch Red Latigo (a fantastic strop by the way) seems to have some film on the surface. It doesn't seem to interfere with the performance, but it bothers me. Can I use neatsfoot on latigo? If not, is there some other way to clean it?

I asked a question about breaking in a latigo strop, and Lynn replied that he recommends using neats foot oil to break it in. That being the case, I would say it is absolutly ok to use neats foot oil on a latigo strop.

If you do use it, be very sparing. A little goes a long way. Tony Miller recommends just rubbing with the palm of your hand.

I have a Red TM myself. It does develop some type of film on it, especially after I use it. Almost looks waxy....I just rub it with the palm of my hand, like previously mentioned and it's good as new
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Lynn does say to use a small amount on of neetsfoot on his, Tony suggests just rubbing with your hand, So....Your call. If you try the oil, use very, very little. You can always add more, but you really can't remove it.

Latigo should usually not need neetsfoot oil. Rubbing with your palm until you build up a bit of friction should work. If rubbing does not work enough, a little bit of saddle soap can also be used to clean and condition latigo, or for that matter any smooth finished leather. Latigo is already "stuffed" with oils in the finishing process; more is not necessarily better.

I've found rubbing an oily part of my own body (within reason) can load my hand, like loading a brush, with plenty of oils. I've had a TM latigo paddle since '07. I prefer the "clean" oils from my scalp but I'd think you could get plenty of oil from the "t-zone" of the face or neck. Or just ask to load up on the stuff from your nearest adolescent. One co-worker of mine, 19 years old at the time was so damned greasy I couldn't clock out using the fingerprint computer thingy. I can see the oiliness of my skin change with weight training/strenuous exercise, optimal amounts of protein and even things like mineral supplements (zinc especially).

zib, thanks for the heads up on the waxy TM latigo. I think I've seen some of that on my own and thought I'd done something wrong. Yep, it solved itself when I rubbed my Axel Grease© on it. I found it had too much draw at times, from grippy to sticky. I think it was humidity. That resolved itself too, don't recall right now how though.

(copywrite AxelCorp, a subsidiary of Axeltech Industries)

[QUOTE=AxelH;755027]I've found rubbing an oily part of my own body (within reason) can load my hand, like loading a brush, with plenty of oils. I've had a TM latigo paddle since '07. I prefer the "clean" oils from my scalp but I'd think you could get plenty of oil from the "t-zone" of the face or neck. Or just ask to load up on the stuff from your nearest adolescent. One co-worker of mine, 19 years old at the time was so damned greasy I couldn't clock out using the fingerprint computer thingy. I can see the oiliness of my skin change with weight training/strenuous exercise, optimal amounts of protein and even things like mineral supplements (zinc especially).


That sounds nasty lol! But I think that's what I'll do when my red latigo comes too. All natural! Latigo seems to have the most drag from what I've been reading. Does that feel good? Experienced members seem to like the silky smooth ones.

[QUOTE=drgreen;757409]

Originally Posted by AxelH

I've found rubbing an oily part of my own body (within reason) can load my hand, like loading a brush, with plenty of oils. I've had a TM latigo paddle since '07. I prefer the "clean" oils from my scalp but I'd think you could get plenty of oil from the "t-zone" of the face or neck. Or just ask to load up on the stuff from your nearest adolescent. One co-worker of mine, 19 years old at the time was so damned greasy I couldn't clock out using the fingerprint computer thingy. I can see the oiliness of my skin change with weight training/strenuous exercise, optimal amounts of protein and even things like mineral supplements (zinc especially).


That sounds nasty lol! But I think that's what I'll do when my red latigo comes too. All natural! Latigo seems to have the most drag from what I've been reading.

It's all skin and skin oil, bro. No worries (unless there's something really out of whack with your physiology).

Originally Posted by drgreen

Does that feel good? Experienced members seem to like the silky smooth ones.

Umm, I guess that depends on what your doing with it and what you're looking to get out of it. I like the smooth to initially realign the edge, the latigo to work it good, then finish on the smooth. But it may all be in my mind (stropping is the most delicate of all SR related topics for me).

[pops zinc-magnesium-aspartate pill; performs several military presses; oozes excess sebum]

The few times I do oil a strop I oil it from the back. The oils will wick through the leather and you will not get an oily slick stropping surface. I occasional just give them a good rub with my palms and that keeps things in good order most of the time although winter can be hard on them.

There are a few kinds of latigo, broadly classified as soft and hard. The soft type was all that was used a few years back - very pliable, 3 - 4mm thick, rear side was a bit fibrous. The hard stuff is quite stiff and the rear side looks kind of plastic-like and is not at all fibrous, just dimpled.

Part of the latigo process is steeping the leather in a mixture of oil and wax. The softer type was well saturated and shouldn't need any more oil applied to it - hand rubbing is best. The stuff that gums it up or forms a film on the surface is the wax component coming out. It can be rubbed away with a dry cloth or - slightly easier - with a slightly (slightly!) damp cloth.

The harder latigo takes ages to break in and become supple, but it will never get as supple as the softer type. The hard tanning makes it very tight, and it is hard to get oil to penetrate it from the back, so you may have to lightly oil both sides and rub it well in. It benefits a little from oiling as far as making it a bit more supple is concerned.

Regards,
Neil