Bensmom saddle soap - the review thread (if that's okay with Bensmom)

[Bensmom]

Squeee! That makes me so happy! Leather everywhere is so thankful!

I really am glad that people have enjoyed using the product – not just that it works, but that it becomes something people enjoy using. Your tack lasts longer when cared for and you are so much more likely to notice a weakness or issue with it if you are wiping down after every use.

I thank you all very much – I even trained DH as Chief Assistant Soapmaker last night, so we shall see how this goes!

[Renn_aissance]

I am having a problem with the Citrus Ginger scent.

Whenever I go to clean my tack, the barn cat sprints into the tack room and starts trying to lick my soap.

:lol:

[pattnic]

Sigh I don’t even want to think about how much I’ve spent at this point - and Husband REALLY wouldn’t want to know! Just ordered a pack of the minis to send some on lease with my horse and to give to a friend to try. And also ordered another regular size of my favorite scent… not that I’ve even made a dent in the first one I bought!

I feel like these are like trading cards or something… you try and collect them all!
My collection thus far -
Citrus Ginger
Confidence
Sugar & Spice (2)
Balm - 2oz
Balm - Regular size

And purchased for others -
Rosemary Mint
Balm
Mini-Pack

Hi, my name is pattnic, and I’m a Higher Standards Leather Care Addict.

[HorseKrazy]

^^^ you might be on to something there with the trading cards! I feel the need to buy all the soaps just so I can have a variety of scents! And I AM NOT someone who enjoys perfumes/candles/scents! I get headaches from strong smelling body wash-so that is very telling to anyone who hasn’t purchased the soap yet.

Soooooo anyone wanna trade on a monthly basis to mix it up? Lol!

[IFG]

[QUOTE=pattnic;7252856]
Sigh I don’t even want to think about how much I’ve spent at this point - and Husband REALLY wouldn’t want to know! Just ordered a pack of the minis to send some on lease with my horse and to give to a friend to try. And also ordered another regular size of my favorite scent… not that I’ve even made a dent in the first one I bought!

I feel like these are like trading cards or something… you try and collect them all!
My collection thus far -
Citrus Ginger
Confidence
Sugar & Spice (2)
Balm - 2oz
Balm - Regular size

And purchased for others -
Rosemary Mint
Balm
Mini-Pack

Hi, my name is pattnic, and I’m a Higher Standards Leather Care Addict.[/QUOTE]

You are not alone. My name is IFG and I am also a Higher Standards Leather Care Addict. I am not going to detail the depths of my addiction here, but I am afraid that Libby knows just how pathetic I am. Let me say, that the Sugar and Spice will be the first scent that I have not purchased. It was in my cart, but I looked at my stash, and even with gifting, I could not justify buying it.

[TiaRosa]

Oh, good. There’s a support group starting for this.

Hi, my name is TiaRosa, and I am a Higher Standards Leather Care addict.

(From hunterland no less!)

It’s been 2 weeks since my last purchase. I think I can hold out one more day if I can get a sponsor. But.I.Want.All.The.Scents.

[pattnic]

I’m taking full credit for founding the HSLC Addicts support group. See signature… should it be “Anonymous,” or “Support Group,” or?.. open to ideas.

[Frizzle]

Glad I’m not the only one! :lol: I’m trying to justify buying myself the cinnamint scent even though I have 1/4 jar of vanilla lavender @ the barn and both the vanilla mint and sugar/spice @ home (for cleaning browbands–since I do this more often than clean my own tack, I HAD to bring the sugar/spice home because it is AWESOME). I also have a whole bag of the minis, which are not supposed to be for me, but I will probably have to treat myself to one of each scent. I mean, I deserve it, right? Right?

Libby, did you see the pic on Lauren Sprieser’s FB?

[hequestrian]

[QUOTE=Frizzle;7253312]
Glad I’m not the only one! :lol: I’m trying to justify buying myself the cinnamint scent even though I have 1/4 jar of vanilla lavender @ the barn and both the vanilla mint and sugar/spice @ home (for cleaning browbands–since I do this more often than clean my own tack, I HAD to bring the sugar/spice home because it is AWESOME). I also have a whole bag of the minis, which are not supposed to be for me, but I will probably have to treat myself to one of each scent. I mean, I deserve it, right? Right?

Libby, did you see the pic on Lauren Sprieser’s FB? :D[/QUOTE]

You need it. I got mine in the mail yesterday and it is seriously delicious.

Hi, My name is heq and I’m a Higher Standards Leather Care Addict.

[HorsesinHaiti]

Late to the party for this season, but if Bensmom isn’t aren’t snowed in with orders from us ladies…
do any of you with horsey hubbies, or hubbies with other hobbies involving prized leather, think you would buy these soaps in ‘guy scents’? if so, what scents? and what kind of guys? Motorcycle riders, leather jacket lovers, office gift exchanges, ???

[jn4jenny]

My barn made a big group order from Higher Standards, and it arrived today. Hooray! Reviews:

Starla’s Sugar and Spice = much more sophisticated than the name implies. If you were afraid to get something that smells like a Sugar Cookie Yankee Candle, that’s definitely not it. It’s more “spice” than “sugar,” very allspice-y. A dude/horse husband could use this soap without shame.

Phinney’s CinnaMint smells exactly like Big Red chewing gum or cinnamon red-hot candy. Fortunately, that’s what the girl who ordered it was hoping for!

The sampler kit is adorable. A great gift on its own, or you could part it out into stocking stuffers.

I may have to hang a Higher Standards Leather Care lid on our barn Christmas tree this year.

[Bensmom]

You guys have cracked me up! I have been really pleased by how much everyone has liked the products, but never thought there would be a need for a 12 step group! :lol:

I am working on one more secret scent that may debut for December that my DH requested – it should be pretty guy friendly too!

hequestrian has done a really nice review and is running a contest at her blog – Equestrian At Hart Contest – she was too modest to blow her own horn, but I’m not Thank you so much for the kind words, and if y’all want to win a Phinney’s Cinnamint, click on over and check out her contest!

Now if my sampler size jars would just hurry up and GET HERE. Grrrr.

[amastrike]

I had a dream about using Higher Standards soap IV. I have no idea why I dreamed about this, but in the dream it wasn’t harmful. No plans to test IRL.

[Janet]

This weekend, the CDCTA HT handed out Bensmoms saddle soap as vokunteer gifts. I got one in Rosemary Mint.

Maybe it will give me an incentive to clean my tack more often?

[Event4Life]

I just wanted to stop by and update about my earlier posts. I took bensmom’s advice and conditioned the bridle using my fingers (my hands felt so good after!) then buffed it with a soft cloth, actually a few days later because I went to an endurance race then up to the Grand Prix SJ in Raleigh, and the bridle felt the most supple I’ve EVER felt it! Whoop! I was sold before, but now I’m even more sold! I will be ordering some Christmas presents for horse friends!

[Bensmom]

Janet – according to some of these crazy folks on COTH, you’ll now be cleaning your tack more than ever before! Watch out for the dreams about it, though – amastrike, please, please, don’t test that out! I would feel so responsible for the consequences!! :lol:

I am really glad to hear that they went out to volunteers – that is so cool!

And, I’m thinking I should change the directions to suggest applying the balm with your hands – I have found it really works best, and your hands get a deep conditioning at the same time!

Thank you so much for the feedback!

Libby

[Desert_Topaz]

I just applied the balm with my hands to a not-so-soft, but not crappy, bridle and reins. I was sitting there, massaging away on one of the reins, daydreaming, and realized the leather was limp! I could hold it in my hand and it would fall at an almost 90 degree angle. Checked the other rein (not yet done : ) not so much. Is there such a thing as having leather that’s too soft and supple?

[skyy]

Another vote for the balm

I rec’d my balm just the other day and used it today on our lesson bridles which see very little love. I nuked it for 30 seconds as it is very cold here today and the leather was quite cold. I really like the consistency. It goes on easily without being “gloppy”. It did a great job softening the leather and added a nice shine to the bridles. Now if only they would stay that way…

[cmdrcltr]

Got a message that my order shipped today! Can’t wait to get it.

[Bensmom]

The assistant soapmaker worked his fingers to the bone all day today and is busy packing things up! It has been like having Santa’s elves workshop around here today!