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Ultimate Leather Conditioner Comparison (on Reddit)

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16,402
Just stumbled upon these fantastic, super informative posts on Reddit and figured no better place than TFL to share them. Don't forget to click on the imgur photo galleries for additional information.

Gotta add that all the observations on the conditioners that I personally have used are spot on. Lexol does nothing. Gotta get me some Obenauf's.

First comparison:
https://www.reddit.com/r/goodyearwelt/comments/cl4l2n/short_term_conditioner_test_blackrock_leather/

Second:
https://www.reddit.com/r/goodyearwe...t_term_conditioner_test_2_bick_4_chamberlain/

Third:
https://www.reddit.com/r/goodyearwe...t_term_conditioner_test_3cracking_prevention/
 
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10,977
Location
SoCal
I like Chaimberlain’s Leather Milk, but I find the effects wear off quicker than some. I also like Blackrock for shoes and boots. It has a lot of Carnuba wax in it, so it gives a sheen. I used it to bring back depth to my black CXL jacket. I tried it on my couch, and feel I made things worse...there are rough patches which hardened and feel more “raised” instead of softened due to the wax.
 

Hh121

Banned
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3,004
I did and so far it is the best product i have ever used, it brought back to life a few jackets and a leather bag
Maybe there are better products but this one is really good
Thanks, does it makes leather shiny? Any pics?
 

RockSolid

One of the Regulars
Messages
140
Thanks, does it makes leather shiny? Any pics?
I didn't do any before/after pictures but i think i can find before pictures of one i got on ebay, i'll upload pics tomorrow
Shiny it depends, on a eastman b3 it did a very nice job and it was indeed shinier but on a 174sm the leather felt more alive but not shiny
I think it just makes the leather closer to what it was new
 

Hh121

Banned
Messages
3,004
I didn't do any before/after pictures but i think i can find before pictures of one i got on ebay, i'll upload pics tomorrow
Shiny it depends, on a eastman b3 it did a very nice job and it was indeed shinier but on a 174sm the leather felt more alive but not shiny
I think it just makes the leather closer to what it was new
Lovely, is the result lasting?
 

Hh121

Banned
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3,004
I wonder if this product can bring a little shine to JL overdye?

Yes, the leather dressing for black color, according to Pecard. "It will also revive faded black leather back to its rich, vibrant color while imparting a soft sheen. " It will also covers little abrasions.
I will post the result here.
 

roadking04

Practically Family
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938
Location
The Rock 'n Roll Capital
@Hh121, I am not sure if this contains silicone or not. It does not say on the product description. I have heard silicone is bad for leather BUT, the stuff Langlitz leather uses IS silicone based. Not sure which one is right.

Edit: Pecards has been in business for a long time, they must know what they are doing, I hope.
 
Last edited:
Messages
16,402
@Hh121, I am not sure if this contains silicone or not. It does not say on the product description. I have heard silicone is bad for leather BUT, the stuff Langlitz leather uses IS silicone based. Not sure which one is right.

Edit: Pecards has been in business for a long time, they must know what they are doing, I hope.

I can't imagine why would silicone be bad for the leather. Seems like the internet just went on one day about how silicone clogs up the pores so that leather can't breathe anymore but I'm not buying that. I've been using it for a long while now and I've noticed no ill effects from it, other than the fact that it genuinely works in conditioning the leather. Silicone won't dry out or disappear so it stays in the fibers forever and anything that prevents fibers from drying out and cracking can't be bad.

Since I worked in an adult store for five years, we'd often get tons of silicone lubricants for free and so I began using this one called Uberlube on leather which, as the site says, works on just about anything needing lubrication. Been conditioning my shoes with it for years, namely my Chippewas and they're still perfect. I use for my bicycle chain, too. Works like a charm.

tl;dr, I don't think it's bad for leather. Or rather, I don't see how it'd be bad for leather.
 

Carlos840

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,920
Location
London
I can't imagine why would silicone be bad for the leather. Seems like the internet just went on one day about how silicone clogs up the pores so that leather can't breathe anymore but I'm not buying that. I've been using it for a long while now and I've noticed no ill effects from it, other than the fact that it genuinely works in conditioning the leather. Silicone won't dry out or disappear so it stays in the fibers forever and anything that prevents fibers from drying out and cracking can't be bad.

Since I worked in an adult store for five years, we'd often get tons of silicone lubricants for free and so I began using this one called Uberlube on leather which, as the site says, works on just about anything needing lubrication. Been conditioning my shoes with it for years, namely my Chippewas and they're still perfect. I use for my bicycle chain, too. Works like a charm.

tl;dr, I don't think it's bad for leather. Or rather, I don't see how it'd be bad for leather.

You lube your boots and your bike chain with sex lube! That's the greatest thing i have heard in a while!
 
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16,402
You lube your boots and your bike chain with sex lube! That's the greatest thing i have heard in a while!

I have SO much of that stuff still lying all over my apartment it's ridiculous. At first I was hiding it, afraid people'd get a wrong impression but throughout the years I've piled up tons of it, how much we'd get for free that I stopped caring. Companies send samples to dealerships all the time and we can't sell it. IMO, Uberlube is by far the best silicone lubricant - bike chain is good for a good half a month from just a few drops (that stuff never seems to dry out or dissipate!) - and as far as the natural (water based) ones go, my vote goes to BioGlide. And yeah, I actually know more about sex toys & lubes than I do about leather jackets. XD
 
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16,402
Every job has its perks...

Best part was not having to worry about birthdays. All my friends knew I'd get them something that's actually good.

@Monitor, I think I might of saw it on the Schott forum. I know the stuff Langlitz supplies is silicone based.

I am not sure. I have no experience with conditioners. One side says good, the other side says bad. lol.

I purposely made test subjects out of my Chippewas and a goat cafe racer for the silicone lube, have been using it on both for a few years now and both are in a fantastic condition. While I destroy all my footwear within a year of wear, Chippewas are holding up surprisingly well even after six years. Not saying that's because of the Uberlube but... If it was harming them in any way, I'm sure they'd at least start showing for it. So far so good. They're soft, pliable, leather is healthy, no smell whatsoever... Dunno, I've been getting really good results with it.
 

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