Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: DC on January 31, 2016, 03:51:20 pm

Title: Boots and shoes
Post by: DC on January 31, 2016, 03:51:20 pm
What do you guys use to treat your boots? Does it matter if the boots have already been treated with silicone?
Title: Re: Boots and shoes
Post by: Pat B on January 31, 2016, 11:01:39 pm
I use Montana Pitch Blend or a homemade recipe with bear grease, bees wax and pine pitch heated and blended together.
 silicon seals the pores so I don't know how well the leather will absorb the dressing. only way to know is to try. It won't hurt it.
Title: Re: Boots and shoes
Post by: chamookman on February 01, 2016, 03:36:40 am
I've used Sno-Seal on My boots for Years. My Dyer Moccosins however come with a can of Mink-Oil type stuff- so I use that on them. Bob
Title: Re: Boots and shoes
Post by: Adam on February 01, 2016, 08:23:29 am
I've had good luck with Red Wing boot oil.
Title: Re: Boots and shoes
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 01, 2016, 09:32:03 am
Mink oil on all my leather boots. The rest of my boots need no help. 
Title: Re: Boots and shoes
Post by: Aaron H on February 01, 2016, 09:39:42 am
I also use sno-seal.  Great stuff. 
Title: Re: Boots and shoes
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 01, 2016, 01:53:04 pm
My mink oil never lets me down, but I read a lot of good about Sno-seal. Time to buy a can and try it.
Title: Re: Boots and shoes
Post by: chamookman on February 02, 2016, 03:58:07 am
Pearly - I use an old hair dryer to warm the leather before, then after a heavy coating of Sno-Seal, allowing it to "melt" in. Did that on My Moosehide MukLuks the first coating before wearing - still going strong after 15 years !!! Bob
Title: Re: Boots and shoes
Post by: Pappy on February 02, 2016, 04:12:45 am
I use mink oil or the paste most of the time.  :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: Boots and shoes
Post by: DC on February 02, 2016, 12:31:59 pm
Well, I was actually expecting a bunch of bear fat, pitch and bee's wax recipes but it sounds like Sno-seal is the choice. I'll go look for some. I don't have a bear anyhow. Thanks guys :D
Title: Re: Boots and shoes
Post by: Aaron H on February 03, 2016, 10:12:03 am
I believe Sno seal is just a mixture of linseed oil and bees wax.
Title: Re: Boots and shoes
Post by: Pat B on February 03, 2016, 10:19:19 am
I think Sno-Seal has silicon in it also.
I've heard that silicon clogs the pores of the leather and prevents it from breathing where the other dressings like Mink Oil or Montana Pitch Blend hydrate(adds oil) the leather and repels water.
Title: Re: Boots and shoes
Post by: JEB on February 03, 2016, 10:24:06 am
I have an old can of Grizzly Grease that I put on and then use an old hair dryer to melt it into the cracks.  I usually put a couple of coats on the boots when I do it to make sure they get covered good.
Title: Re: Boots and shoes
Post by: willie on February 03, 2016, 01:55:20 pm
Many of the above have worked for me in the past. I do avoid animal fats if there is a puppy or dog that likes  to chew, nearby
Title: Re: Boots and shoes
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 03, 2016, 02:03:12 pm
Many of the above have worked for me in the past. I do avoid animal fats if there is a puppy or dog that likes  to chew, nearby

Can you blame a pup?  First off, it is leather, and leather is great for teething.  Secondly, they smell intensely of the person they love.  It's too much to ask of a pup to understand that they gotta leave 'em alone, so you gotta be the responsible party. 

I use mink on my expensive, high quality moccasins.  When they have been dampened, I wear 'em until they are dry and then rub in generous amounts of grease, paying extra attention to any raw edges of the leather and the seams.  I practically putty knife it there and then use a hair dryer to warm the grease and leather until it melts in.  I do pretty much the same for boots.
Title: Re: Boots and shoes
Post by: YosemiteBen on February 03, 2016, 04:04:41 pm
efore Sno_seal my dad used Hubbards shoe and boot greas.
Title: Re: Boots and shoes
Post by: DC on February 03, 2016, 05:45:52 pm
I remember Hubbards, we used something called Dubbin when I was a kid.
Title: Re: Boots and shoes
Post by: DC on February 03, 2016, 05:49:22 pm
I just looked it up. I though dubbin was a brand name. Anything you rub on your boots is dubbin. Took me 60 years to learn that. Whew, my life wasn't wasted after all. ;)
Title: Re: Boots and shoes
Post by: The Gopher on February 05, 2016, 03:52:28 pm
I use sno-seal, my dad taught me to put the boots in the oven (on warm) before application to warm up the leather, then it soaks right in and put em in again after for a bit. Put a post-it note on the oven door though, my dad found out the hard way when my mom turned the oven on to cook something...what's that smell? It smells like burning rubber!
Title: Re: Boots and shoes
Post by: gifford on February 06, 2016, 01:28:29 pm
Used Hubbard's Boot Grease for years, well, at least until I ran out of my supply. Sno Seal makes an acceptable substitute as far as I'm concerned. Kinda miss the amber color and fragrance. Kept my Whites supple and water resistant.