The leather of my Pessoa is somewhat grippy, and I’m afraid to condition it because I don’t want it to become slick! I also really don’t want it to darken. Any suggestions?
Higher Standards is amazing. Love love. Doesn’t make it slick, IMO. Its more of a balm
My favorite leather cleaner is Leather Therapy Wash. It won’t darken the leather and it make it nice a supple. It’s even safe to use on stitching of bridles. Leather Therapy also make a conditioner and a finish but they would darken the leather and make it very smooth. The wash does also condition the leather so you wouldn’t have to worry about it drying out.
I second the Higher Standards cleaner and conditioner- it is my favorite! My second choice is Oakwood cleaner and conditioner
IME passier ledersbalm makes things very grippy, at least for the first few rides. I don’t think it darkens leather (but then I have black saddles).
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Higher Standards
Leather Therapy Wash
Lederbalsm
They are all great, depends on what specifically I need. Sounds like you need a light conditioner so I would go with Higher Standards
I love the higher standards conditioner. In terms of soap, theirs is good but I actually prefer plain castile along with diluted ammonia/water.
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Cleaner: HOT ammonia /water
Conditioner: Glycerine soap.
Prior to initial use, and once or twice annually thereafter: Oil
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Higher Standards if you’re fancy. See M. O’Connor’s and vxf111’s posts above if you’re Old-Skool.
Some days I’m fancy (I do LOVE Higher Standards). Some days I’m Old-Skool. Most days I’m “wipe it down with a damp microfiber washcloth and rinse the bit.”
+1 for Higher Standards, both the cleaner and conditioner are heavenly.
Mad cow to clean. Antares leather conditioner for conditioning.
Cleaner, glycerine soap.
Conditioner, Effax (or Passier, but I prefer Effax) Lederbalsam.
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[QUOTE=Hunter*Happy;9031116]
Mad cow to clean. Antares leather conditioner for conditioning.[/QUOTE]
I love mad cow leather care and use it frequently. But it is not a leather cleaner, it is a conditioner. if you’ve been using it in place of a cleaner… you are not cleaning your leather.
For cleaning jockeys and dirt off tack, this is what I use:
It’s a liquid with a nice, clean scent and is extremely pleasant to use. For day-to-day conditioning, Mad Cow and Higher Standards are my favorites.
I have tons of favorites, in fact an entire storage bin devoted to these products, I LOVE to clean tack! Probably my most favorite for everyday cleaning are the liquid cleansers, Effax Leder Combi, Moss Melts Away and Belvoir Step 1. The Higher Standards products are also excellent, Tattersalls Saddle Soap, Kirk’s Castile Soap are other favorites.
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BAC you like the Moss Melts Away?! How are you using it? I’ve never been so disappointed in tack cleaner. I feel like it should be called Moss Wipe Crap That Will Buildup on your Tack. Are you diluting it or something?!
VXF yes I loved the Moss Melts Away, although I haven’t been riding for the last few years so I don’t clean much tack anymore. I just poured it onto a sponge, same as I would with Effax or the liquid Belvoir and I was amazed at how easily it removed dirt and grime. I tried the Moss soaps, they are nice and smell good but nothing special IMO whereas I thought the MMA was excellent.
I felt like it did nothing to remove dirt, but it did leave a really sticky film. I started using it and then stopped and cleaned the whole bridle over with ammonia. I hated it! And the reviews on SP were so good, which is why I tried it?!
I like Higher Standards as well, but also just started using a line called Officinalis. It’s made in Italy and does not have any preservatives or harsh chemicals like many cleaners and conditioners do. I have been using the avocado line and absolutely love it. The price point is wonderful and a little goes a long way. With the conditioner, if you leave it on after applying it has a small amount of tackiness or if you prefer shine, you can buff it off. It is gentle on my hands and does not bother my allergies. Any store that orders from ERS can get it for you. I’m hooked.
VXF I have a friend’s saddle sitting in my guest room. I am going to try the Moss cleanser and see if I still like it. I’ll report back after the weekend.
